- FM Dar: Bishkek situation under control, violence due to ‘misunderstanding’
- Students report ongoing issues, hundreds still trapped
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Over 350 Pakistani students arrived in Lahore and Islamabad due to security concerns in Bishkek, as Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar—who postponed his trip to Kyrgyzstan—downplayed the mob violence in the Central Asian state, stating that the situation in Bishkek was normal and there was no need to panic.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Pakistani envoy to ensure all necessary arrangements for the return of “injured students” and those residing with their families, despite the “return of normalcy” in Kyrgyzstan.
Two of the three special flights landed at the Islamabad and Lahore airports on Sunday night, each carrying 180 students. The third plane was expected to land later in the night.
At the Islamabad airport, the students arriving on the KA 4575 flight at 7:45 pm were welcomed by Federal Minister Musadik Malik. In Lahore, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar greeted the students as the KA 6571 flight arrived at 8:15 pm. Families at the airport were jubilant upon the safe return of the students.
The Civil Aviation Authority set up an immigration desk and provided transport for the students. As instructed by the PM, the federal government will cover the expenses for these special flights.
Dar’s Press Conference
In a press conference in Lahore, FM Dar blamed the rumors about the deaths of Pakistani students on social media and a “certain” political party. “No Pakistani student died in Bishkek mob violence,” he stated.
Dar mentioned that 16 foreign students, including “four or five” Pakistanis, were injured in the violence. He said his Kyrgyz counterpart assured him that the situation was under control, a claim also confirmed by the Pakistani embassy.
FM Dar assured that the government would cover the expenses for Pakistani students wishing to return home, with 540 students expected to take three flights on Sunday. He noted that around 11,000 Pakistani students were studying in Bishkek, and those returning would be fully facilitated.
He urged students to trust the Kyrgyz authorities and advised those wanting to leave Kyrgyzstan to register with the embassy. The Kyrgyz foreign minister repeatedly assured that there was no need to panic and that those involved in the incidents were being arrested and penalized.
The Kyrgyz foreign minister attributed the incident in Bishkek to a “misunderstanding.”
Earlier, the prime minister contacted Pakistan Ambassador Hassan Zaigham in Kyrgyzstan and directed him to arrange a special flight to Bishkek to bring back Pakistani students on Sunday evening.
The PM emphasized prioritizing the return of injured students and those with families in Kyrgyzstan. The Pakistani envoy in Bishkek reported that no new incidents of violence had occurred in the last two days and all foreign students, including Pakistanis, were safe.
President’s Concern
The President’s House contacted the ambassador in Kyrgyzstan, expressing concern over the violent situation and stressing the need to protect Pakistani students in Bishkek. The ambassador informed the Presidency that the security situation for Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan was “improving” and that the embassy was closely coordinating with Kyrgyz authorities to ensure their safety.
At Lahore airport, Information Minister Atta Tarar reiterated that the situation in Kyrgyzstan was under control and claimed that some people had spread propaganda about the incident.
Students’ Concerns
However, media reports quoted students saying that the embassy was not providing help and that the situation in Bishkek remained dire. They reported that foreign students were attacked by Kyrgyz students and locals and were unsafe on the roads.
“Foreign students locked themselves in their hostel rooms, but the Kyrgyz students broke in and tortured them,” they said, adding that hundreds of students were still trapped in their colleges and universities and urged the government to take measures to bring them back.
Balochistan Students ‘Ignored’
In Balochistan, educationist Sajid Hussain visited the Quetta Press Club and claimed that the government had taken no steps to bring back at least 300 students from Balochistan stranded in Bishkek.
“Over 300 students from Balochistan are also studying in Kyrgyzstan, but they have not been brought back,” Mr. Hussain said, adding that his son and daughter were among the students at the Asian International University in Kyrgyzstan.
“I am in contact with my children,” he said, adding that no steps had been taken for the return of Balochistan-based students.
He claimed that the federal government was repatriating students from other provinces, while parents of students from Balochistan were being asked to pay Rs100,000 for each student.
He appealed to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, and Education Minister Rahila Durrani to address the situation and make special arrangements for the return of students from the province.
Separately, CM Bugti has reportedly established a special desk for this purpose.
“To reach the students, the foreign ministry is in contact with the embassy of Kyrgyzstan,” the CM said, assuring “every possible assistance” for the students.
