Thousands of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, were attacked by people from the city. Dozens of people were hurt in this accident late Friday night, including 14 Pakistani students. A video of a fight between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students on May 13th went viral, which led to the violence.
Escalating Tensions
After the video went viral on social media, things quickly got worse. People in the area were angry about the fight and went after international students, mostly Pakistani students because they were so common there. The mob broke into hostels where Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Egyptian students were staying, attacked students and caused a lot of damage to the property.
Embassy Response and Safety Measures
In a flash, the Pakistani Embassy in Bishkek stepped in to help. Ambassador Hasan Zaigham told all Pakistani students to stay inside until things calmed down. To make sure the kids are safe, the embassy is always in touch with the local police. Students can get help right away by calling the emergency helpline numbers (+996555554476 and +996507567667).
Reports and Conflicting Information
At first, there were rumours on social media that there were deaths and rapes, but the Pakistani Embassy stated that no Pakistani students were killed or raped. However, 14 Pakistani students were hurt, and that number may go up as more information comes in. The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry also reported that things are under control and no one was hurt.
Official Statements and Actions
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was very worried about the violence and told the Pakistani Ambassador to do everything possible to help the students. He said that his office is in touch with the government and keeping a close eye on what’s going on. In the same way, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the Kyrgyz government had been called to make sure that Pakistani students were safe.
Local Police and Military Involvement
Reports from people who were there say that the local cops were overpowered and couldn’t control the crowd. Hence, the army had to be called in. Universities and dorms’ access streets have been blocked off, and both the Pakistani and Kyrgyz governments are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Impact on Foreign Students
It’s not just Pakistani kids who have been hurt. There have also been problems with students from India, Bangladesh, and Egypt. The Indian office in Bishkek told its students to stay inside and keep in touch with the office if they need help. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has also told students to be careful and do what the office says.
Efforts to Restore Peace
The Pakistani Embassy in Bishkek is doing everything it can to keep its students safe. Over 400 calls from worried kids and their families have been made to them. The office staff is taking these calls and giving the needed help. Ambassador Hasan Zaigham said again that the government is doing everything it can to assist the students who are having a hard time.
Ongoing Concerns
Even though the Kyrgyz government and local officials have said they will help, things are still very tense. Students are being told to stay inside and not move around too much. The Pakistani Embassy is working with the local police to keep an eye on things and ensure the safety of all Pakistani students.
Conclusion
The attack on Pakistani students in Bishkek is a terrible event that has caught the attention of people all over the world. The Pakistani government and embassy are working to keep the students safe and bring peace back to the areas that were impacted. The students and their families need to stay alert and do what the government tells them to do to stay safe.
