At least 140 Pakistani students fled Kyrgyzstan on Saturday after a violent mob attacked several foreign students in the Central Asian country’s capital city, the interior ministry said.
The flight landed in Lahore from Bishkek. All of them returned to Pakistan at their expenses. They easily got the ticket as seats were vacant. The flight KA-571 landed at Lahore airport at 11:02.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received them. He told reporters that the special flight service to bring back Pakistani students would begin tomorrow (Sunday).
When students shared their problems related to studies, Naqvi said that the government would resolve their issues and the injured would be treated.
Moreover, the government was providing transport services to students for going home.
One of the injured students said that the brawl started after a few Egyptian students beat some local students. The video of the incident went viral on social media, instigating locals to attack foreign students. He added that none of Pakistani students fought with Kyrgyz students.
The father of one of the students told reporters that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hasan Zaigham did not pick up his phone when he conveyed his son’s whereabouts who was stranded in a room. He lamented the embassy’s room.
As many as 10,000 students were studying in Kyrgyzstan, the student said and added that some local friends helped them reach the airport as reports said some taxi drivers had beaten students.
He rebuffed the university head’s reports that the situation was under control.
When asked, the student said that he himself bore the travelling expenses and there was no government involvement. “It is the biggest lie if people think that the government bore the travelling expenses.”
Another student Shahzaib was also hiding in a flat and said that the mob was beating everyone without any regard for anyone.
In response to a query, he said that the mob was sitting in a place where foreigners were living and doing TikTok live, saying: “We will smash them.” He further rebuffed reports that the situation was not under control, adding that the two helpline numbers initially were not responding and they came on their own.
It merits here to mention that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Adviser to the PM on Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam would fly to Kyrgyzstan on Sunday (tomorrow) to meet the government officials, and students, and review the repatriation matter.
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The Pakistani Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan has issued advisory instructions for Pakistani students, asking them to remain indoors until the situation normalizes and to stay in contact with local law enforcement authorities.
“We are taking measures to ensure the safety of the students,” the Pakistani Ambassador stated.
The FO spokesperson also shared the following phone numbers for parents seeking information:
0519203108
0519203094
The Crisis Management Unit’s (CMU) email address was also provided. cmu1@mofa.gov.pk.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hasan Zaigham said that his office was liaising with local authorities to ensure students’ safety and posted numbers for an emergency helpline.
The numbers shared are:
+996555554476
+996507567667
+996 507567667
