At least 18 people have died after Chinese Muslims attacked police with knives and bombs at a traffic checkpoint in apparent revenge for the government’s crackdown on Ramadan.
The attack occurred in the southern city of Kashgar, where tensions between ethnic Uighurs and the majority Han Chinese have led to bloodshed in recent years.
Last week, China inflamed divisions by banning civil servants, students and teachers from fasting during the Muslim holy month and ordering restaurants to stay open.
The Chinese Government is not very wise in this respect. Why not give religious freedom to the Muslims so that they feel comfortable in China? In this way the local Muslims will see the need to fight for an independent state, where they can practice their religion in peace.
Being a close ally Pakistan Government should approach Chinese authorities on this extremely serious issue.