Uyghur Research Institute | Editor: Dr. Abdurehim Dolet

Pakistan's foreign policy is a struggle to maintain balance amidst complex and often contradictory factors, including regional security threats, economic dependence, and the aspiration to be a leader in the Muslim world. At the heart of this equation lies its deepening strategic alliance with China, further cemented by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Simultaneously, this alliance has profoundly shaped Pakistan's stance on the Uyghur crisis in East Turkistan. The mass detentions, forced labor, eradication of religion and culture, and other human rights abuses perpetrated against Uyghurs in East Turkistan have been systematically documented and condemned by international human rights organizations. From a human rights perspective, Pakistan's silence—and at times, active cooperation—regarding this crisis should be viewed not merely as geopolitical expediency but as a profound moral and humanitarian failing. Notably, Pakistan's ongoing security challenges with India and its consequent dependence on China emerge as the primary reasons for its support of Chinese policies on the Uyghur issue. Furthermore, the phenomenon of Pakistani YouTubers competing to whitewash China's policies in East Turkistan reveals how this state silence is bolstered through shaping public opinion. This analysis examines Pakistan's Uyghur policy from a historical perspective, emphasizing the influence of the India factor and social media propaganda, explores the policy's human, domestic, regional, and global dimensions, and poses questions about the dilemma Pakistan faces between its national interests and human rights.

Historical Background: The Roots of the Pro-China Policy and the Zia-ul-Haq Exception

Pakistan's relationship with China began to take shape as a strategic alliance in the 1960s. During the Cold War era, rivalry with India, particularly over the Kashmir issue and border disputes, pushed Pakistan closer to China. China provided military and diplomatic aid to Pakistan as a counterbalance against India, strengthening the dependence between the two nations. However, Pakistan's policy regarding the Uyghur issue has largely aligned with China's interests, with the notable exception of the era of former President Zia-ul-Haq, who governed Pakistan from 1977 to 1988. During Zia's tenure, Pakistan adopted a more sympathetic stance towards the Uyghurs in East Turkistan, granting refuge to some Uyghur refugees and offering mild criticisms of China's policies in the region. This period was shaped by Pakistan's efforts to enhance its aspirations for leadership in the Islamic world, the struggle against the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, and the dynamics of the Cold War.

Excluding the Zia-ul-Haq era, Pakistan's Uyghur policy has been characterized by strategic silence and support for China. Since the 1990s, the rise of China's global economic and military power has further increased Pakistan's dependence on this alliance. Launched in 2015, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with its $62 billion investment, has transformed Pakistan's infrastructure, energy, and transportation sectors, making China Pakistan's most crucial ally. This economic dependence, combined with ongoing security issues with India, has made it virtually impossible for Pakistan to adopt a critical stance on the human rights abuses in East Turkistan. India's rise as a regional power and the tensions in Kashmir have made Pakistan even more reliant on China's military and diplomatic support. For instance, China has supported Pakistan's position on the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council, acting as a counterbalance against India. From this perspective, criticizing China's Uyghur policies is considered a strategic risk for Pakistan, not only economically but also in terms of security.

Pakistan's pro-China stance is also evident in official statements. In 2019, a Pakistani diplomat asserted that there was no religious or cultural oppression in East Turkistan, endorsing China's "counter-terrorism" narrative. In 2021, then-Prime Minister Imran Khan evaded questions about the East Turkistan issue, emphasizing his trust in China and dismissing Western criticism as politically motivated. This historical consistency demonstrates that Pakistan's policy on the Uyghur crisis is shaped not only by economic imperatives but also by security-centric geopolitical strategies focused on India.

The Human Rights Crisis: The Tragedy of Uyghur Refugees

Pakistan hosts a very small and extremely vulnerable community of Uyghur refugees who have fled oppression in East Turkistan. However, from a human rights standpoint, these refugees live deprived of basic rights and freedoms. Under pressure from Chinese authorities, Pakistani officials subject Uyghurs to surveillance, harassment, and, in some cases, deportation. Reports indicate that Pakistani security forces share intelligence with China, monitor the Uyghur community, and that some refugees have been forcibly returned to China, where they face torture, imprisonment, or worse treatment.

The situation for Uyghur refugees deteriorated significantly, particularly during Ramadan in 2023. News of China banning fasting in East Turkistan intensified surveillance and threats against Uyghur families in Pakistan. Many Uyghurs lacking legal status face bureaucratic obstacles in obtaining residency or citizenship, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. In November 2023, Radio Free Asia reported that Pakistani officials had detained several Uyghur refugees, sparking condemnation from international human rights organizations.

Uyghurs in Pakistan live in fear under the influence of China's long arm. Chinese authorities are reportedly pressuring Pakistani officials to monitor Uyghur activities and restrict their movements. The World Uyghur Congress has accused Pakistan of "pressuring Uyghur Muslims who fled China," emphasizing that these policies constitute blatant human rights violations. From a human rights perspective, Pakistan's stance is not merely negligence towards refugees but active complicity with China's systematic repression policies. These policies violate the 1951 Refugee Convention, the UN Convention Against Torture, and other international human rights norms, positioning Pakistan as a human rights violator.

Internal Dynamics: The Erosion of Islamic Solidarity Aspirations and YouTuber Propaganda

As a Muslim-majority nation, Pakistan has historically projected itself as a defender of the rights of Muslim communities, such as those in Kashmir and Palestine. However, its silence on the Uyghur crisis in East Turkistan has cast doubt on the sincerity of this aspiration. From a human rights perspective, this silence signifies a betrayal of the principle of Islamic brotherhood (Ummah) and indicates a moral decline. The silence of religious and jihadist groups, which typically advocate for Muslim rights, is particularly noteworthy. This silence can likely be attributed to strict state control, economic dependence on China, and strategic constraints imposed by security concerns related to India.

At the public opinion level, awareness of the Uyghur issue is limited, although social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), show that some Pakistanis sympathize with the Uyghurs. Incidents like the Ramadan restrictions in East Turkistan have sparked public discontent, but such sentiments are often suppressed by the state. Limited coverage of the Uyghur crisis in local media and the government's emphasis on the national security narrative stifle public discourse. However, a more alarming trend is the emergence of Pakistani YouTubers competing to whitewash China's policies in East Turkistan. Several popular Pakistani content creators have published dozens of videos explaining China's policies in the region as "counter-terrorism" and "economic development" [1, 2, 3]... These videos adopt China's official narrative, either ignoring or legitimizing the human rights abuses against Uyghur Turks. Much of this content praises China's economic projects in Pakistan while avoiding discussion of the Uyghur issue or framing it as China's internal affair.

From a human rights perspective, the activities of these YouTubers can be seen as part of Pakistan's efforts to shape public opinion. This content, likely produced with Chinese economic support or state encouragement, aims to cultivate a positive image of China within Pakistani society. However, these propaganda efforts lead people to turn a blind eye to the tragedy Uyghurs are enduring and further weaken Pakistan's claims of Islamic solidarity. The competition among YouTubers also highlights the restrictions on freedom of expression in Pakistan, where critical voices are suppressed while pro-China content is promoted. Human rights defenders state that such content suppresses awareness of the Uyghur crisis in Pakistani society and allows the government to evade its moral responsibilities. This situation indicates that Pakistan is restricting its own citizens' freedom of expression and sacrificing its Islamic identity for geopolitical interests. This contradiction, especially among youth and activists, is fueling discontent towards the government, which could lead to internal instability in the long run.

Regional and Global Relations: The India Factor and Conflict with Human Rights Norms

Pakistan's Uyghur policy is closely intertwined with regional and global geopolitical dynamics. The ongoing rivalry with India, particularly concerning the Kashmir issue and border conflicts, is a primary factor shaping Pakistan's foreign policy. India's rise as a regional power has made Pakistan increasingly dependent on China's military, economic, and diplomatic support. The CPEC is viewed not just as an economic project but also as a strategic counterbalance against India. China's support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council and its provision of a diplomatic shield against India have reinforced the security dimension of this alliance. Within this framework, criticizing China's Uyghur policies in East Turkistan poses a risk for Pakistan of losing not only economic benefits but also a vital ally against India.

In the Muslim world, Pakistan's silence is reflected in forums like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC has issued only mild statements on the East Turkistan issue, often endorsing China's counter-terrorism narrative. This reflects China's growing economic influence over Muslim countries through Belt and Road projects. Pakistan's alignment with this consensus demonstrates its prioritization of economic and security interests over human rights. Human rights defenders view this stance as a collective moral failure of the Muslim world.

Globally, Pakistan's position complicates its relations with Western countries. The United States, the European Union, and Canada have imposed sanctions on Chinese officials due to abuses in East Turkistan and have called for accountability. Pakistan's siding with China jeopardizes its economic and diplomatic ties with the West. Pakistan's endorsement of statements justifying China's "re-education" camps at the United Nations has made this complicity more explicit. From a human rights perspective, this situation suggests Pakistan has abandoned its commitment to universal human rights principles and is supporting the abuses of an authoritarian regime.

Human Rights Perspectives: A Moral and Humanitarian Decline

From a human rights standpoint, Pakistan's Uyghur policy constitutes not just silence but active complicity in what has been termed China's ethnic and cultural genocide policies in East Turkistan. Statements supporting China's policies, along with the surveillance and deportation of Uyghur refugees, position Pakistan as a violator of international human rights law. These policies contradict Pakistan's professed desire to protect the rights of its own Muslim population and trample upon the principle of Islamic brotherhood.

Domestically, Pakistan's silence and the propaganda disseminated through YouTubers are generating public discontent and weakening the government's moral legitimacy. Increasing awareness of the Uyghur crisis, especially among youth and activists, may intensify criticism of the government. This could lead to internal instability in the long term. Globally, Pakistan's stance damages its aspirations for leadership in the Muslim world and erodes its credibility as a defender of human rights within the international community.

The human cost of Pakistan's policies is starkly visible in the tragedy faced by Uyghur refugees. Instead of finding safe haven in Pakistan, these refugees endure an environment that is an extension of China's repressive policies. Pakistan's policies represent an assault not only on the rights of Uyghurs but also on its own moral and humanitarian values.

Conclusion

Pakistan's Uyghur policy, viewed through a human rights lens, is a tragedy reflecting a profound dilemma between national interest and human rights. Ongoing security challenges with India have increased Pakistan's dependence on China, compelling it to remain silent on and support China's policies regarding the Uyghur crisis in East Turkistan. With the exception of the Zia-ul-Haq era, Pakistan's consistent support for China's East Turkistan policies should be seen not merely as a strategic choice but as a betrayal of universal human rights norms. The trend of Pakistani YouTubers competing to whitewash China's policies highlights how this silence is reinforced by efforts to shape public opinion. The humanitarian crisis faced by Uyghur refugees demonstrates Pakistan's violation of its international legal obligations and its complicity in China's repressive policies.

As global awareness of the Uyghur crisis in East Turkistan grows, Pakistan is compelled to reconcile its moral identity with its geopolitical imperatives. Although security concerns regarding India and economic dependence on China complicate this reconciliation, completely disregarding its moral and humanitarian responsibilities jeopardizes Pakistan's legitimacy both domestically and internationally. The Uyghur crisis serves as a litmus test for the ethical boundaries of Pakistan's foreign policy. Whether Pakistan passes this test will determine not only the fate of the Uyghurs but also the future trajectory of Pakistan itself. Pakistan's stance in this crisis will ultimately redefine its identity, not just as a state, but as a moral actor on the world stage.