LAHORE, Pakistan: A special flight carrying the first group of Pakistani students from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, arrived late Saturday night at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, following a violent incident involving foreign students.
Kyrgyz authorities mobilized forces in the capital, Bishkek, to address the violence where hundreds of local men attacked buildings housing foreign students, including Pakistanis. This unrest followed a conflict between foreign students and Egyptian nationals on May 13.
According to the Pakistani embassy in Bishkek, no deaths were reported among the Pakistani students. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Health reported 29 injuries from the violence, while the Foreign Ministry confirmed that 14 foreigners had been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.
State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) reported the arrival of the first batch of Pakistani students at Lahore airport. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who received the students, mentioned that transport facilities would be provided to those from other cities. Conflicting reports from state television on the number of students on the flight ranged between 30, 140, and 180.
Minister Naqvi emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting Pakistani students abroad. He noted that more flights were scheduled to bring back additional students. Following the Prime Minister’s directives, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Amir Muqam were set to travel to Bishkek to support the students.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed Ishaq Dar and Amir Muqam to visit Kyrgyzstan, with their departure planned for Sunday morning on a special aircraft. They were tasked with meeting senior Kyrgyz officials to ensure medical support for the injured students and oversee repatriation arrangements.
The Prime Minister closely monitored the situation and maintained contact with the Pakistani Ambassador in Bishkek. Despite the situation being reported as under control, the delegation’s visit aimed to ensure comprehensive support and facilitation for the Pakistani students.
The Prime Minister stressed that the embassy should provide top-tier treatment for the injured and ensure that students wishing to return to Pakistan could do so at the government’s expense. He reaffirmed that the embassy would support Pakistani students in these challenging times, ensuring their safe and prompt return if desired.
