Bonn: Despite China’s ill-treatment on its minorities, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has chosen to remain silent over the plight of Uighur Muslims in China. The reason being, China is a “good friend” who has helped Pakistan even in “most difficult situations”.
Earlier on January 16, Imran Khan gave an exclusive interview to German-based DW.
When asked why he is not raising concern over Uighur Muslims in China but concerned over Kashmir issue, he said, “First, the scale of what is happening in India is not comparable to what is supposedly happening to the Uighurs in China. Second, China has been a great friend. Second, China has been a great friend. It has helped us in our most difficut times because of the economic crisis my government inherited. Therefore, we do talk about things with China, privately, not publicly, as these are sensitive issues.”
Pakistan was also earlier asked by the United States, to express the “same level” of concern about Muslims detentions in Western China as they do for Kashmir. But, Pakistan has shut eyes to the prevailing poor conditions of the Uighur Muslims.
China has been condemned internationally for its atrocities on the minorities living in the country. The country has been accused of oppressing the Uighurs by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending the community to undergo forceful re-education or indoctrination.
