Dozens of students, including 14 Pakistanis, have reportedly been injured in a mob attack by locals on foreign students in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, according to news reports.
Details reveal that an angry mob of hundreds of locals invaded the hostels of foreign medical students, causing significant damage by ransacking rooms, breaking windows, and destroying property. Students from India, Bangladesh, and Egypt were also brutally assaulted, including several female students.
The Pakistani Embassy in Bishkek reported that foreign students, including Pakistanis, were attacked following a brawl between local and Egyptian students a few days prior. The embassy stated that tensions escalated after videos of the fight on May 13th between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students were shared online.
The embassy further noted that several medical university hostels and private residences of international students, including those from Pakistan, were targeted. While there were reports of light injuries among Pakistani students, the embassy clarified that there were no confirmed reports of deaths or rapes, contrary to circulating social media posts.
According to affected students, local police stood by as spectators, unable to control the situation, which necessitated the deployment of the army. One Pakistani student reported that they were being dragged out of their hostels and homes and tortured, with no foreigner being spared. The police were overwhelmed by the locals, who were roaming the streets searching for and assaulting foreigners.
However, Pakistani Ambassador Hasan Zaigham claimed that the situation in Bishkek and surrounding areas was under control. He stated that the police had dispersed the rioters and confirmed that no Pakistani was killed, although 14 Pakistanis were injured, with the number potentially rising.
Torture of 🇵🇰 Medical Students:
Reportedly Pakistani Medical Students are being tortured in
Bishkek (Capital of kyrgyzstan)God may protect them all.
Request to @ForeignOfficePk and @PakinKyrgyzstan to take action.#Kyrgyzstan I #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/XOc6xGgBDj
— Dr Ahmad Rehan Khan (@AhmadRehanKhan) May 17, 2024
In a post on X, Ambassador Zaigham advised all Pakistani students in Bishkek to stay indoors until the situation stabilizes. “We are in constant contact with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of our students,” he added. The ambassador also mentioned that the Pakistan mission in Kyrgyzstan was in touch with the students and their parents and that their emergency number had received over 400 calls since the morning. The Kyrgyz government assured the protection of foreign students.
The embassy reiterated that there were no deaths of Pakistani students in the mob violence and stated that the Kyrgyz interior ministry confirmed the situation was under control.
The Foreign Office spokesperson noted the high pressure on telephone lines and suggested reaching out via WhatsApp. The Pakistani ambassador and his team were available at emergency numbers +996555554476 and +996507567667.
Meanwhile, the Indian mission in Bishkek also reported a calm situation but advised its students to stay indoors and contact the embassy if needed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the situation and directed the Pakistani ambassador to provide all necessary support 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,” the prime minister wrote on his X account. “My office is also in touch with the Embassy and constantly monitoring the situation,” he added.
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.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 18, 2024
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also addressed the situation on social media, stating that Kyrgyz authorities had been contacted to ensure the protection of Pakistani students. “The reports of mob attacks on students in the Kyrgyz Republic are extremely concerning. We have established contact with the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure protection of Pakistani students. I have instructed our Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan to fully facilitate them,” he wrote.
