Tensions in Sino-Pakistani relations and the Uyghurs in Pakistan (2)

Recent International Media Reports on Tensions in Chinese-Pakistani Relations
Recently, international media has reported on disturbances in Chinese-Pakistani relations. The relationship has become strained, particularly after multiple attacks by armed forces in Pakistani Balochistan targeting Chinese engineers and civilians working for Chinese companies investing in the Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Notably, the "corridor" construction has slowed down, consequently impacting cooperation between China and Pakistan in the "One Belt, One Road" project.
In Pakistan, China's neighboring country, there is a Uyghur community who migrated to Pakistan for various reasons in the 1960s or earlier, residing in Rawalpindi and Gilgit provinces. As understood, these Uyghurs have been granted Pakistani citizenship and live in Pakistan, but they continue to preserve their Uyghur identity and traditional customs and maintain communication with their Uyghur relatives in East Turkistan, which China has occupied since 1949 and calls "Xinjiang." The changes in Chinese-Pakistani relations have become one of their most significant concerns.
Omar Uyghur, a Uyghur activist in Pakistan, stated that relations between Pakistan and China have been strengthened since the first decade of the 21st century, which has had a specific impact on the Uyghur people living in Pakistan.
In recent years, the Chinese government has attempted to attract pro-China Uyghur groups in Pakistan by establishing so-called "Xinjiang Expatriates in Pakistan" and "Xinjiang Friendship Groups" with assistance from Chinese consulates throughout Pakistan, benefiting Uyghurs belonging to these groups.
We contacted Abdul Qayyum, a Uyghur businessman in the Gilgit Pakistani region, who praised the Chinese government for bringing significant developmental and economic benefits to Pakistan and Uyghurs in East Turkistan (Xinjiang).
Omar Uyghur noted that among Uyghurs in Pakistan, a group has received financial advantages from the Chinese government. These individuals consistently obstruct activities of Uyghur organizations like the "Omar Uyghur Foundation" while promoting counter-propaganda for the Chinese government.
Omar Uyghur explained that the so-called "Xinjiang Expatriates in Pakistan" and "Xinjiang Friendship Groups" established with Chinese consulate assistance are loyal to the Chinese government, engaging in activities such as reporting on Uyghur status to Chinese consulates and promoting the Chinese government.
Abdul Qayyum praised China's friendship with Pakistan and did not hide that they also benefit from it. He mentioned that since the 1980s, he has traveled to East Turkistan (Xinjiang) for trade almost annually. He enthusiastically described witnessing the area's development, noting that during five trips in 2024, he found his relatives had become more prosperous.
When asked about his opinion on the "Uyghur genocide" and "Uyghur forced labor," currently facing severe criticism in Western countries, and China's policies against Uyghurs, he immediately responded, "These are all false propaganda."
Omar Uyghur, the Uyghur activist in Pakistan, stated that the Chinese government has financially benefited and transformed such individuals in Pakistan into propaganda tools to justify its policies against Uyghurs.
According to news reports, since the heinous crimes committed by China against Uyghurs were defined as "genocide and crimes against humanity" in Western countries like the United States, the Chinese government has exploited the close Chinese-Pakistani relations. They have provided financial assistance to pro-China Uyghurs and poor families in Pakistan, offering cross-border trade opportunities for Uyghur businessmen, organizing trips for so-called Uyghur expatriates, and thereby promoting propaganda that "Uyghurs are happy under Chinese Communist Party rule" and that "China's policy in Xinjiang is good."