The self-exiled Uyghur leader leader also criticized the Muslim-majority nations for their silence on the persecution of Uyghurs

Pakistan is a fake democracy, living in middle ages, and is using religion to fan terrorism in both Kashmir and Afghanistan, says a self-exiled Uyghur leader Ilshat Hassan Kokbore who lives in the United States. He believes that the Kashmir issue can be solved only when the China-Pakistan nexus is broken.

The self-exiled Uyghur leader made these comments during the release of a report on ‘Comparative Study of Human Development and Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan’.

Kokbore, Director of the World Uyghur Congress, was quoted by the Financial Express as saying that if we can stop China backing Pakistan, then the question of Jammu and Kashmir can be peacefully resolved. “For finding a solution for Uyghur and J&K issues, we need to stop China. The route is in China and this is the number one threat to humanity,” he said. “I don’t think without China’s support, Pakistan can continue its terrorism.

The self-exiled leader also criticized the Muslim-majority nations for their silence on the persecution og Uyghurs. “Countries like the US, Europe are speaking, India has started to speak, we have not heard anything from the Islamic and Turkic world. They are all silent and are going into bilateral agreements with China. We are left with no choice,” the report quoted Kokbore.

Aarti Tikoo, a Kashmir-origin senior journalist, also at the release of the report said that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were not enjoying freedom at all, while the people of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed much more freedom.

According to the report, Tikoo blamed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for the security-related curbs to freedoms. She went on to say that India has given access to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.