In a recent development, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan has summoned the ambassador of Kyrgyzstan regarding growing concerns over recent violence directed towards Pakistani students residing in Kyrgyzstan. In a press release, it was stated that the violence, which took place in Bishkek on Friday, resulted in injuries of at least 29 people from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Egypt.
The origins of the acute animosity and violence towards migrants are still not clear; however, Kyrgyz authorities have stated that a recent dispute could have led to the escalation. On the day of the incident, hundreds of men attacked different buildings housing Pakistani and Afghan students.
Post the violence, the Embassy of Pakistan opened up an emergency helpline to assist students and their families during the crisis. A warning was issued citing safety concerns, advising all Pakistanis in the country not to venture outside after dark. In a meeting with the Kyrgyz ambassador, the government voiced their concerns over the situation and emphasized that Kyrgyzstan should take every step needed to ensure the safety of Pakistani students and its citizens currently residing in the country.
In an effort to safeguard their students, Pakistani authorities arranged special flights to bring them back from the Central Asian country. Up to 540 students booked seats on these special flights out of the country. To get a firsthand account of the situation, Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hassan Zaigham, made a visit to the Kyrgyz National Hospital on Friday to meet the Pakistani students injured in these attacks.
For further information, please refer to this original news report on the matter.