Islamabad: Pakistan has found itself at the center of a new controversy after a group of ten local businessmen lauded China’s policies in Xinjiang during a recent visit. The eight-day trip, part of China’s narrative-building campaign, aims to counter global criticism of its treatment of Uyghur Muslims, a marginalized community in the restive region.

The visit has sparked backlash from Uyghur activists, who accuse Pakistan of supporting Chinese propaganda efforts. The delegation, which included several ethnic Uyghur businessmen from Pakistan, was accused of ignoring the widespread oppression of the nearly 12 million Uyghur Muslims living in Xinjiang.

This latest development highlights the deepening China-Pakistan alliance, particularly in matters that suppress human rights in Xinjiang. Critics argue that Pakistan’s stance on the Uyghur issue starkly contrasts with its vocal support for Palestinians. Recently, Pakistan and China have also been backing the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), following the controversial collapse of the Awami League government in Dhaka earlier this month. Activists warn that the support for the BJI raises questions about the motivations of both China and Pakistan and their inconsistent approach to Muslim communities across different regions.

China’s treatment of Uyghurs has been widely condemned, with international reports accusing the Chinese government of committing severe human rights violations. These include mass detention in "re-education" camps, forced surveillance, and other forms of systematic repression. In response to global criticism, China has organized tightly controlled visits for foreign delegations to present a favorable image of Xinjiang. The Pakistani businessmen’s trip was facilitated by the Ex-Chinese Association Pakistan, a group established in 2007 to promote Uyghur welfare in the country.

Throughout their visit, which started on August 20, members of the Pakistani delegation posted on social media, praising the economic development and cultural harmony in Xinjiang. One member, Abdul Aziz, an ethnic Uyghur businessman from Gilgit, documented the group’s visits to tourist sites, exhibitions on counterterrorism, and the Islamic Institute of Xinjiang. In their posts, the businessmen dismissed international reports of human rights abuses, asserting that Uyghurs in Xinjiang were living peacefully and happily.

Uyghur activists, however, argue that these visits are part of China’s efforts to legitimize its policies under the guise of fostering China-Pakistan friendship. This was the first time a delegation from Pakistan, including ethnic Uyghurs, was invited to Xinjiang, raising concerns about the potential exploitation of such trips to further China’s agenda.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also visited Xinjiang in October 2023, following a longstanding tradition of Pakistani leaders avoiding mention of human rights abuses against Uyghurs. Successive Pakistani governments have consistently supported China’s narrative, shielding Beijing from global condemnation on the issue in international forums.

Despite Pakistan's support for Uyghur welfare organizations domestically, the country has been reluctant to grant citizenship to the nearly 1,000 Uyghur families residing in Gilgit and Rawalpindi. Many of these families, who fled China decades ago, remain stateless and at risk of deportation.

This dual approach has raised eyebrows, as Pakistan often pressures other Islamic nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Palestine issue while remaining silent on the plight of Uyghur Muslims. Meanwhile, China has positioned itself as an advocate for peace in the Gaza conflict, further highlighting the contradictions in both countries’ policies toward Muslim communities.

As Pakistan and China continue to engage with Islamist parties in Bangladesh, observers warn that their motivations may be driven by self-interest rather than genuine concern for Muslim populations. Critics argue that the hypocrisy surrounding the Uyghur issue could become a point of contention for groups like the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, who should be cautious of China and Pakistan’s true intentions.