Published 10:02 IST, September 15th 2019
Hypocrite Imran Khan refuses to admit China's detention of Uighurs
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has conveniently overlooked the atrocities unleashed by their "all-weather friend" China, on the minority Uighur Muslims.
Imran Khan has been crying foul over the situation in Kashmir, alleging people of the Muslim community to be under siege in the region. However, the Pakistan Prime Minister has conveniently overlooked the atrocities unleashed by their "all-weather friend" China, on the minority Uighur Muslims.
The hypocrisy was laid bare once again during Imran Khan's interview with Al Jazeera, wherein the Pakistan Prime Minister was questioned if he had a chance to discuss with China President Xi Jinping over the issue of systematic persecution of Uighur community.
"No, I haven't," says Imran Khan.
The Pakistan premier brushed off the issue by noting that the people of Pakistan are his "responsibility." It must be noted that New Delhi has repeatedly lambasted Islamabad for interfering in India's domestic issue, Kashmir being the prime.
"And frankly, we have been facing so many of our internal problems right now, that I don't really know much about this problem. And since we have been in power for one year, domestically, apart from the economy, and now with Kashmir, we have been inundated with problems. But I will say one thing for China, for us China has been the best friend," he told the international news media organisation.
Imran Khan added, "At the moment, my responsibility is the people of Pakistan, and I have 220 million Pakistanis, and they are my responsibility. And my number one effort is to help my own countrymen."
While, he goes on and on and on about Kashmir and India. Laughable that as soon as Imran Khan is asked about condemnation of China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims, he remembers that his priority is the citizens of Pakistan. Hypocrisy galore this.
— Naila Inayat नायला इनायत (@nailainayat) September 14, 2019
Pakistan's dependence on China
Maintaining a relationship with China has become Islamabad's crucial policy, considering its cash-strapped economy. Beijing holds an upper hand on Pakistan for providing economic aid and building its infrastructure, the most known one being the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The belt joins Pakistan and China through the Xinjiang province, which is home to the persecuted Muslim community.
Islamabad while trying to seek international attention has only been able to move China to support their cause in Kashmir against the PM Modi-led government. China reaffirmed its support for its all-weather ally in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Uighur Muslims
Over a million people Uighurs and other minority Muslim communities are known to be detained in "re-education" camps. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the community if being oppressed by the Xi Jinping government, meanwhile, no other Muslim country has raised their voice against the persecution.
After initially denying their existence, Beijing has gone on a public relations blitz in a bid to counter the global outcry against what it calls "vocational education centres" in Xinjiang.
The issue has been raised by the UN as well, however, over 35 countries including Pakistan backed China's mass detention. “We note with appreciation that human rights are respected and protected in China in the process of counterterrorism and de-radicalisation,” the letter read.
Updated 10:10 IST, September 15th 2019