Pakistan is facing renewed controversy after a delegation of ten Pakistani businessmen praised China’s policies in Xinjiang, a region known for widespread human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims. The businessmen, many of whom are ethnic Uyghurs, were sent on an eight-day tour as part of China’s effort to counter global criticism of its treatment of the Uyghur minority, which numbers around 12 million. Uyghur activists have condemned Pakistan’s involvement, accusing Islamabad of aiding China’s narrative by sending individuals to promote a distorted view of the situation in Xinjiang.

Pakistan has long supported China’s stance on Xinjiang, refraining from addressing human rights violations in the region. Xinjiang, which borders Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, has seen reports of systematic repression, including mass detentions, surveillance, and forced assimilation, which China denies. While Islamabad vocally supports Muslim causes elsewhere, such as Palestine, its silence on Uyghur persecution has drawn international scrutiny.

This latest episode comes at a time when both China and Pakistan are allegedly extending their influence in Bangladesh, particularly by aligning with the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), following the collapse of the Awami League (AL) government in early August. Observers note that this alignment may cause friction among BJI supporters, given Beijing and Islamabad’s contradictory stance on Muslim communities.

China's human rights record in Xinjiang has been heavily criticized, with accusations of "genocidal policies" targeting Uyghur Muslims. Beijing has been organizing visits like the recent one with the Pakistani delegation to showcase a façade of peace and prosperity in the region. Delegates from Islamic countries are often shown exhibits of counterterrorism efforts and cultural harmony to counter allegations of repression.

Despite their close ties, Pakistan has consistently avoided condemning China’s policies in Xinjiang. In 2023, former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar visited the region but failed to mention the reported human rights violations, echoing his predecessors’ avoidance of the issue.

Meanwhile, Uyghur families in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit and Rawalpindi, remain stateless and vulnerable to deportation, as Islamabad has been hesitant to grant them citizenship, reportedly under Chinese pressure. This contradiction is likely to cause discontent among Islamist factions, such as BJI, who are witnessing Pakistan’s duality in supporting Muslims abroad while ignoring the plight of Uyghurs.

With China and Pakistan now seeking influence within Bangladesh’s political landscape, particularly among Islamist parties, concerns over their handling of the Uyghur crisis are expected to deepen. As Bangladesh’s political future unfolds, BJI and its supporters may have to reconsider their alliances with China and Pakistan amid the growing evidence of Uyghur persecution.