Veteran Christian politician, George Clement, has died

He was born in 1947 and has served the Christian community with his tireless efforts for over three decades. All religious, political and social leadership is in shock and mourns this sudden loss.

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - George Clement, 73, a longtime politician from the Christian community died of a heart attack on June 16. On June 12, he and his older son had had a serious accident and luckily both survived, but he was unable to fight the heart attack last night.

His funeral was celebrated this morning.

George Clement was born in 1947 and has served the Christian community with his tireless efforts for over three decades. He served the nation in the Benazir Bhutto regime and had been serving as president of the minority group of the Central Governing Committee PTI.

All religious, political and social leadership is in shock and mourns this sudden loss. Speaking to AsiaNews they paid homage to his legacy of service.

Father Khalid Rashid Asi, NCJP diocesan director of Faisalabad, said: “He was not only a politician but he has a strong religious background who had studied different religions and he was an expert in speaking and writing several national and international languages. He was the most senior politician we had in Christian community. He joined different political parties in his life not for his political benefits but for the ideology and philosophy of working for mankind and poor communities. His services for electorate movement will always be remembered, as he always stood against religious discriminations against religious minorities. He always imparted political awareness among others because he knew very well that Christian community would uplift and developed if it is well political aware.  We have lost a great leader and human being”.

For Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), “The sudden death of Mr. George Clement has saddened and shocked minorities as he was an expert parliamentarian, writer and speaker. It is an incredible loss of a man who has left the indelible impact by his political, social and religious services.   Being a youth activist I have been close to Mr. George Clement, he always inspired me by his dynamic and visionary personality. Personally I learnt a lot during several in person conversations with him about history, minorities’ real issues, challenges and solutions".

Speaking to AsiaNews, Samson Salamat and President Rwadari Tehreek said: “Talking to AsiaNews, Samson Salamat, and Chairperson Rwadari Tehreek said, “In the critical era when the Christian minority of Pakistan lacks educated and learned political leadership, the sudden death of Mr. George Clement is a huge loss for the Christian community. Mr. Clement was a man of knowledge, wisdom and vision and inspiration for the youth and true advocate of the marginalized communities. Mr. Clement was successful laying strong political foundation in Benazir Butto regime and current regime of Imran Khan, and always proved to be the best aid to address the issues and concerns of minorities with the government and state functionaries.” 

In personal talk with AsiaNews, Ms. Kehkshan Newton, a human rights activist and daughter in law to George Clement said, “He was a magician; who turned despair to hope for many. He was a gem; who turned many stones into diamond. He was a real leader; who worked relentlessly for his community. He was a visionary; who encouraged everyone to come on high visibility positions to change the fate. He was so different father in law. He treated me like princess in the family and always admired me beyond my abilities. He blessed me with his thoughts, his ambitions and transferred his passion in me. Being daughter in law, I am the luckiest who cherished beautiful memories and learnt a lot from him. He was my mentor and teacher; he played a great role in polishing me.”

“I am extremely shocked at the sad demise of brother George Clement. He was one of the finest Christian politicians and a very kind human being. He was the most educated and learned Christian parliamentarian with a zeal to serve the community. It is definitely a great loss for politics of religious minorities and especially of the Christian community. No one can replace him in his brilliance and creative thoughts for the Christian community. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and the departed soul,” said Ms. Mary James Gill, ex-parliamentarian and human rights activist.