Mihrigul Tursun, a Uighur woman who was detained in China, testifies at the National Press Club in Washington about the mass internment camps in China and the abuses she suffered. (US State Dept./D.A. Peterson)
Who am I to answer this Question?
Unlike most American kids of my generation, I did not spend my teenage years in the US lapping up the benefits that one of the most advanced nations in the world extends to its Middle School and High School student population. Instead I backpacked with my journalist dad travelling the length and breadth of the South Asian subcontinent, as he covered the region for his daily and weekly dispatches to Washington Post.
But, as a result of this "sacrifice", I came to know this melting pot of cultures, ethnicities and people like few in my generation back home can even dream to acquaint themselves of even of they joined the most prestigious of the think tanks in Washington DC.
I love my dad! He made me what I am.
I love South Asia for what it is, with all its beauties, imperfections and above all the promise it presents to the global order, if it can relinquish that one thing which holds it back - Islamic fundamentalism and a universal hatred for the only true democracy in this part of the globe - India!
So…, "Why does Imran Khan Tweet more about Kashmiris ignoring the plight of Pakistanis themselves and never about the plight of the Uyghurs in China?"
In July, 2019, in those good old times when the world was devoid of the Chinese virus, I was a guest speaker at the French Embassy's "Spring Reception" at Washington DC. During the post session round table dinner conversations I met a relatively senior and world weary British diplomat (whose name I will not disclose) who said the following - "Ms. Stewart, as someone who has lived in Pakistan and knows how it behaves as a nation, you will agree with me I presume, that China has two rabid dogs - North Korea and Pakistan. It uses these two to intimidate and threaten its perceived adversaries on the global forum, be it the US, European Union, NATO or India as and when it suits China’s foreign policy."
So, why does Imran Khan bleed his heart out for Kashmiri Muslims and not Uighuyr Muslims? Because he is following his Masters' instructions. It serves China to keep needling it's only rival in Asia - India, on the Kashmir issue.
The Genocide in Kashmir
Though Imran Khan laments the supposed "Genocide in Kashmir" since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian government, the only torture Kashmiris have faced on the ground is the loss of 2G and 3G Internet services in their region. If the loss of availability of Internet is tantamount to genocide in the 21st century, then yes, Kashmiris have faced genocide since Article 370 was revoked by India. Imran Khan and the ISPR (Pakistan Military's propaganda wing) continues to spew venom on India for this alleged “genocide”, but almost every Kashmiri can be accounted for in the population census today as in the period before the abrogation of Article 370. The only Kashmiris who have left us are the key leaders of the Hizbul Mujahideen, that has been designated as a terrorist group by the European Union, India, and the United States. It remains a lawful organization in Pakistan.
The Uyghurs in China are Happy
In response to this question, some respondents of Chinese origin have presented pictures and write-ups of just how happy the Uyghurs are in today's China.
I want you to watch this video from the South China Morning Post, and judge for yourself.
About the Author
As an American, lived in South Asia and love South Asia as one of the most politically and culturally active sections of the globe. My dad's tenure in New Delhi as a journalist from the Washington Post, has provided me the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent and get to know its people and the nations it is made up of.
Unlike most American kids of my generation, I did not spend my teenage years in the US. Instead I backpacked with my journalist dad travelling the length and breadth of the South Asian subcontinent, as he covered the region for his daily and weekly dispatches to the Washington Post.
As a result, I came to know this melting pot of cultures, ethnicities and people like few in my generation back home can even dream to acquaint themselves of even if they joined the most prestigious of the think tanks in Washington DC.
What do I do for a living? Having worked with the Big 5 corporations, I currently do free lance technology consulting for corporations struggling to transform their technology of today into where they need it to be tomorrow.
I can be reached at carla.stewart019@gmail.com