Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – The seat held by Shahbaz Bhatti in the National Assembly (the Parliament of Pakistan), was officially assigned today by the Electoral Commission to Javed Michael, a Catholic, and member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the ruling party.
Javed Michael, Fides sources in Pakistan reveal, is also the most credible candidate for succeeding Bhatti in the post of Minister for Religious Minorities. The Government, in fact – given the internal and international pressures that it is experiencing at the moment – does not appear to want to keep the seat vacant or to assign it in the interim to other ministers. In addition, to give continuity to Bhatti's work, and as a signal to the Christian community, would like to appoint a Christian to that role.
Javed Michael, 50, of Karachi, is a charismatic and passionate person, known for leading protests and demonstrations in favour of religious minorities. He is a member of the PPP and was elected in the past to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. According to Fides' sources, he is viewed well by the executive and very acceptable also to the Christian Churches in Pakistan. Therefore, he is a leader who has fair chance of being selected.
Other names of viable candidates are: Catholic, Jacob Daniel, a young activist who obtained his doctorate in London. His brother is a Salesian priest and he is supported by the faithful of Punjab; Khalid Gill, also a Christian, member of the “All Pakistan Minorities Alliance” (APMA) network, founded by Bhatti. Gill has picked up the baton of the Minister in social activity and awareness in favour of religious minorities within the APMA, and this could be his launching pad into active politics.
Less chance is given to Nazir Bhatti, a leading exponent of the “Pakistan Christian Congress”, the Christian party that continues to demand a type of “separate province” for Christians in Pakistan. This proposal, however, is not kindly looked upon by the executive, nor by many in the Pakistani Christian community.
Also running is Ansar Burney, a high-level Muslim intellectual, human rights activist and former Minister for Human Rights in Pakistan. He is currently a consultant to the UN Human Rights Council. However, Burney is already projected onto the international stage and, observers note, it would be difficult to return and play an active role on the domestic political scene. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/3/2011)
