Pakistan calls for the Kyrgyz envoy following mob violence

Pakistan calls for the Kyrgyz envoy following mob violence

In reaction to mob violence against Pakistani students in Bishkek earlier today, the Foreign Office (FO) called the Charge d’Affaires of the Kyrgyz Embassy for a demarche on Saturday.

The ambassador was informed by the FO director general of Pakistan’s “deep concern” on the reports of attacks on Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan.

He underlined that in order to guarantee Pakistani students’ safety and security, the Kyrgyz government must take all appropriate action.

“The Government of Pakistan takes the protection and safety of its citizens abroad very seriously and will take all necessary actions to ensure their well-being,” said the Foreign Office.

Ishaq Dar, the foreign minister and deputy prime minister, has given the FO instructions to “monitor the situation in Kyrgyzstan closely and to provide full assistance and facilities to Pakistani citizens present there.”

“The Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister informed that the Kyrgyz authorities have controlled the situation which is now back to normal,” the statement continued.

The statement further stated that the Kyrgyz health ministry had verified that four Pakistanis had received first aid, been released, and one was still receiving care.

Pakistani students enrolled in classes in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, were advised to “stay indoors” after locals attacked a group of foreign students early on Saturday.

The embassy in Bishkek reports that following a fight between Egyptian nationals and locals a few days prior, local crowds attacked foreign students.

The police claimed that foreigners—the identity of whom was not immediately apparent—beating up city residents had instigated the violence.