On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged his Kyrgyz counterpart, Jeenbek Kulubaev, to swiftly address the recent attacks on Pakistani students in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Dar, who was in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), met with Kulubaev to discuss the situation.
Their discussion centered on the recent events in Bishkek and the safety of Pakistani nationals, particularly the students affected by the incidents on Friday night. Dar expressed Pakistan’s primary concern for the security and well-being of its citizens, emphasizing the insecurity felt by Pakistani students and urging Kulubaev to ensure their safety and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Kulubaev assured Dar that the Kyrgyz government had swiftly acted to restore law and order and that those involved in the mob violence would be punished according to Kyrgyz law. He reassured Dar about the safety of Pakistani nationals and pledged full assistance for the safe repatriation of students who wished to return to Pakistan.
Dar commended the efforts of the Kyrgyz government, health department, and law enforcement agencies in providing necessary assistance to Pakistani students. He stressed the importance of maintaining close cooperation between the two countries in this regard.
The Foreign Office (FO) reported that discussions also covered bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, including energy, connectivity, trade, and people-to-people contacts. Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made through established bilateral mechanisms.
In a separate development, more flights bringing Pakistani students back from Bishkek arrived at Islamabad International Airport. Amir Muqam welcomed the students and assured them of government assistance for those returning home. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated the government’s commitment to the well-being of returning students and emphasized plans to facilitate their return to complete their education once the situation stabilized.
Tarar highlighted the government’s continuous communication with Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan and its efforts to address their concerns promptly. He also mentioned plans for a special flight to bring back injured students.
Additionally, the Pakistani embassy in Kyrgyzstan shared a form for students wishing to return home, with verification procedures in place. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi announced plans for special flights to bring back students stuck in Kyrgyzstan, with registration available on a first-come, first-served basis. He assured personal reception for the returning students in Peshawar, along with other government officials.
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