Pakistan Begins Evacuating Students from Kyrgyzstan after Attacks

Following incidents of violence against Pakistani students in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan has initiated the process of bringing its students back home. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that approximately 540 students will be repatriated through three special flights on Sunday.

During a press conference in Lahore, Dar mentioned, “130 students returned from Kyrgyzstan on Saturday. The government is also in contact with the Air Force. The Pakistani embassy in Kyrgyzstan has informed students about the flight details. However, so far, only around 50 students have expressed their willingness to return.”

Kirgyzstan Warns Against Pakistan Minister’s Visit

The Prime Minister of Pakistan has instructed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to refrain from visiting Kyrgyzstan, although the schedule for his trip has not yet been finalized. According to Dar, the Kyrgyz government has appealed to him not to visit and has expressed confidence in his absence.

According to Dawn News, the Pakistani government is currently in touch with all students and their families present in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, Pakistan has issued helpline numbers and email IDs for its citizens in the region.

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Foreign Students Targeted After Clash with Egyptian Students

Following a confrontation between Egyptian and Kyrgyz students in Bishkek on May 17, Indian-Pakistani students were also targeted in the hostels where Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi students resided. During this incident, five Pakistani students were injured.

According to media reports, a dispute occurred between Egyptian and Kyrgyz students in Bishkek on May 13, which was captured on video and circulated on social media. Subsequently, local Kyrgyz students targeted Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi students. It’s worth noting that a significant number of students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh go to Kyrgyzstan for medical studies.

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