Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, have been targeted by violent mobs, according to multiple testimonies and videos circulating on social media. In response, Islamabad’s envoy to Kyrgyzstan has urged students to stay indoors for their safety.
“In view of mob violence around student hostels in Bishkek, the embassy strongly advises all Pakistani students in Bishkek to stay indoors until the situation returns to normal,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hasan Zaigham, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, early on Saturday.
Zaigham assured the public that the embassy is working closely with local law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety of Pakistani students. The exact cause of the mob violence in Bishkek remains unclear.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, confirmed that the embassy is in contact with Kyrgyz authorities and has responded to numerous queries from distressed students and their families.
“There have been a number of incidents of mob violence against foreign students in Bishkek since last evening. According to the Kyrgyz press, the matter escalated yesterday due to the sharing online of videos of a fight between Kyrgyz students and medical students from Egypt on the 13th of May,” the Pakistani embassy in Bishkek stated.
The statement added that several hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, as well as private residences of international students, including Pakistanis, have been attacked. The hostels house students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
“There have been reports of light injuries to a number of students from Pakistan. Despite social media posts alleging the death and rape of Pakistani students, we have not received any confirmed reports,” the statement emphasized.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the safety of Pakistani students in Bishkek. He has directed Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan to provide all necessary help and assistance to the affected students.
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