Attributing the violent clashes in Bishkek, which resulted in injuries to some Pakistani students, to a small group of criminal elements, Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador in Islamabad, Ulanbek Totuiaev, stated that the chief and nine officers of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Sverdlovsk region were relieved from their positions following the riots on May 18.
Addressing a press briefing at the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev urged against letting isolated incidents deter individuals from visiting Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing that such events do not reflect the overall safety of the country or the hospitality of its people.
Approximately ten days prior, a confrontation erupted between local and foreign individuals at a hostel in eastern Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Subsequently, a criminal case under the charge of “hooliganism” was initiated by the Kyrgyz Republic’s law enforcement authorities, leading to the apprehension of all involved in the altercation.
The Ambassador revealed that four Egyptian nationals and around ten Kyrgyz citizens were detained by law enforcement agencies in response to the incident. Additionally, the chief and nine officers of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Sverdlovsk region were dismissed from their positions in the aftermath of the riots on May 18. He asserted that law enforcement agencies had effectively managed the situation, ensuring the safety of citizens and public order.
Emphasizing the absence of serious injuries among the participants, Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev cautioned against the dissemination of unreliable and unverified information by the media.
Furthermore, he highlighted various meetings between government officials of Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, aimed at providing assistance and cooperation in addressing the incident. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Almaz Imangaziev, engaged with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hassan Ali Zaigham, on May 18 to discuss the situation involving foreign citizens, including Pakistani students, in Bishkek. Both sides affirmed their commitment to maintaining order and agreed to a future meeting between their foreign ministers during the SCO Council in Astana.
In a subsequent bilateral meeting in Astana on May 21, the focus was on bolstering economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Bishkek on May 21 included meetings with Kyrgyz officials, underscoring the need for justice regarding the incident. The Ambassador emphasized the enduring ties between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, rooted in historical, cultural, and religious connections, and reiterated their commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations.
