In response to escalating violence targeting international students, including Pakistanis, in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar announced the repatriation of more than 3,000 Pakistani students from the country over the past week. The move comes amid a wave of mob attacks that erupted in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, leaving many foreign students, particularly Pakistanis, vulnerable.
The attacks, which began on May 17, were reportedly incited by a video depicting a confrontation between local and international students on May 13. With over 12,000 Pakistani students enrolled in Kyrgyzstan, the situation quickly escalated, leading to widespread violence.
As per reports from Kyrgyz news outlets, at least 29 individuals sustained injuries during the mob attacks. Kyrgyz authorities mobilized police forces to quell the violence, as hundreds of Kyrgyz men targeted buildings housing international students in Bishkek. Despite the chaos, the Embassy of Pakistan in Bishkek confirmed that there were no fatalities resulting from the violence.
In response to the unrest, Deputy Prime Minister Dar announced the formation of an inquiry committee tasked with investigating the root cause of the attacks. The committee is expected to engage with relevant stakeholders and assess the handling of the situation by the Pakistani Embassy.
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Dar emphasized the urgency of the inquiry, requiring the committee to deliver its findings within two weeks. Additionally, Dar reached out to Kyrgyzstan's foreign affairs minister Jeenbek Kulubayev on May 20, urging swift action against the perpetrators of the attacks on Pakistani students.
Kyrgyzstan's president, Sadyr Japarov, condemned the violence in a public statement, pledging to take decisive action to prevent further attacks. He stressed the importance of foreign students and workers to the country's economy and reassured the public that Kyrgyzstan's intelligence agencies have apprehended those responsible for the attacks.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry summoned Kyrgyzstan's ambassador to express concerns over the safety of Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan. The ministry emphasized the need for the Kyrgyz government to prioritize the safety and security of all foreign students and citizens residing in the country. In response to the escalating situation, the Embassy of Pakistan in Kyrgyzstan established an emergency helpline to assist affected students and their families in reaching safety.
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