ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has repatriated 347 more citizens from Kyrgyzstan following violence in Bishkek.
Flight ANK-4575 landed at Islamabad International Airport from Bishkek early Tuesday morning, and Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-6252 also arrived with 167 students. In total, 347 Pakistani students were brought back from Bishkek. To date, Pakistan has airlifted 810 students through five flights.
The decision to airlift stranded Pakistani students was made after reports of violence emerged in Bishkek. On Monday, a special plane carrying Pakistani students arrived in Islamabad from Kyrgyzstan.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, welcomed the students at Islamabad airport. Speaking to the media, the minister stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took immediate steps to ensure the safety of Pakistani students following the incident and has been monitoring the situation closely.
Amir Muqam checked on the students’ well-being, assuring them that the Pakistani government would provide all necessary assistance. He also announced that more flights would be arranged to bring back additional students.
The violence in Kyrgyzstan erupted between student groups in Bishkek, with attackers using batons to forcefully enter hostel rooms, injuring several international students, including Pakistanis. The clashes reportedly began due to a harassment incident involving Egyptian female students on May 13.
Kyrgyz police stated they had mobilized forces in the capital to control the violence, which saw hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacking buildings housing foreign students.
