Caption – Clash between Kyrgyz nationals and Egyptian Students at the Hostel of Egyptians when the Kyrgyz citizen broke into the hostel following a clash between the same two parties outside of the hostel
Tazeen Akhtar
The unfortunate events in Kyrgyz Republic with students have shocked Pakistanis in general and the parents of the students studying there in particular. Unconfirmed preliminary reports about death of 3 students and violence against some female students have further added to the pain of the families. The clashes erupted after a confrontation between Egyptian and local students that engulfed the other foreign students as well including Pakistanis and Indians. Kyrgyz Authorities have arrested 3 Egyptians and clarified that there is no casualty.
In June 2010 , one Pakistani student Ali Raza died during the violance in Osh, the second largest city in Kyrgyz Republic. As many as 500 Pakistani students were studying in Osh who were later returned to country. The authorities in Kyrgyz Republic did their best then and are doing their all possible efforts now to save the lives of foreign students and control the riots in Bishkek between the students.
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic Shares Chronology of Events in Bishkek
The Government of Pakistan has been in contact with the Kyrghyz Government to ensure the safety and security of its nationals at risk in view of the mob riots of last night in the Kyrghyz Republic.
The Kyrghyz authorities have expressed regret at the incidents of violence against foreign nationals including Pakistanis in Bishkek last night. They have also pledged to hold an inquiry and punish the perpetrators.
Embassy of Pakistan has opened emergency helplines and responding to queries of students and their families. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Hassan Ali Zaigham has been in close contact with senior Kyrgyz authorities.
According to the Kyrgyz Health Ministry, 4 Pakistanis were provided first aid and discharged while one is under treatment for jaw injury.
Today, the Charge d’affaires of the Kyrgyz Embassy Mr. Melis Moldaliev was called to the Foreign Office for a demarche by Director General (ECO & CARs) Mr. Aizaz Khan. He was conveyed the deep concerns of the Government of Pakistan about the reports of last night’s incidents against Pakistani students studying in the Kyrgyz Republic.
It was impressed on the Kyrgyz Charge d’affaires that the Kyrgyz government should take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani students and citizens residing in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Government of Pakistan takes the matter of the safety and security of its national around the world very seriously and will take all necessary measures to ensure their wellbeing.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has directed the Foreign Office to monitor the situation round-the-clock and to fully assist and facilitate Pakistani nationals.
The situation escalated rapidly, with videos capturing the clashes, the images are horrendous, doors broken, belongings scattered, and the palpable fear in the eyes of those targeted. Among the victims are Pakistani female students, who have faced the brunt of the hostility.
Earlier Quaid I Azam University News Alert, a face book page shared ;Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan are in severe trouble since last 12 hours. Locals are attacking their hostels in the presence of police and army and have also raped girls. 3 students have already been killed while dozens others injured. There are more than 10000 Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan whose lives are at risk. We feel deep concern over the mishap and request our government to quickly respond and save the precious lives.
But this information has not been confirmed by any authority from both sides, Kyrgyz Republic as well as Pakistan Foreign Ministries have rejected this as rumor only.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit. Pakistani nationals in the Kyrgyz Republic and their families may contact the unit at the following numbers:
0519203108
0519203094
Email CMU
cmu1@mofa.gov.pk
Whatever the MOFA Pakistan is sharing , the videos from Bishkek spread like a wild fire at social media portray the horrible scenes of the violence in which mobs are attacking the students and breaking the doors of their residences in the hostels or outside.
Media reports from Bishkek confirm that Pakistani students find themselves besieged by violence. Reports of harassment and attacks in student hostels have surfaced, painting a harrowing picture of fear and chaos.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said, “The protection of Pakistanis is of utmost importance.”
Kyrgyz Government/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared ;
According to the incident on the night of May 18, 2024 in Bishkek with the participation of foreign citizens, the Ministry reports the following.From the moment information about the incident was received, law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic took prompt measures to detain persons involved in the event, both foreign citizens and citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The situation was completely under the control of law enforcement agencies. The safety of citizens and public order were ensured.There are no seriously injured people among the participants of the incident. About 15 citizens applied to medical institutions for medical check-up.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic has not received any reports on the injured foreign citizens. At the same time, the Ministry urges representatives of the mass media and foreign diplomatic missions not to disseminate unreliable and unverified information.
(https://mfa.gov.kg/en/osnovnoe-menyu/press-sluzhba/novosti/informacionnoe-soobshchenie-mid-kr-ot-18-maya-2024-goda)
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced “deep concerns” about the situation in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek and stated that he has instructed the country’s envoy there to “provide all necessary help and assistance” to the students.
“Deeply concerned over the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed Pakistan’s Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance. My office is also in touch with the Embassy and constantly monitoring the situation,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Some social media posts claimed that three Pakistani students were killed in the attack, but the government stated they have not received any reports of fatalities.
“Despite social media posts about alleged death and rape of Pakistani students, so far, we have not received any confirmed report. A few hostels of medical universities in Bishkek and private residences of international students including Pakistanis have been attacked. The hostels are inhabited by students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. There have been reports of light injuries to several students from Pakistan,” Pakistan’s Kyrgyzstan consulate said in a post on X.
