According to sources, Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s planned visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, has been called off. The cancellation comes amidst the recent violent clashes in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, where Pakistani students were subjected to mob violence, resulting in at least five injuries.
Earlier, the first special flight transporting Pakistani students from Kyrgyzstan successfully arrived at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. The flight, KA-571, carried over 180 passengers, including Pakistani students from Bishkek.
The violence in Kyrgyzstan erupted when student groups clashed, with reports indicating the use of batons by attackers. The attackers forcefully entered hostel rooms, injuring several international students, including Pakistanis. The violence stemmed from an incident of harassment involving Egyptian female students on May 13.
Kyrgyz police mobilized forces in Bishkek to contain the violence, where hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacked buildings housing foreign students, including Pakistanis. Reports from Kyrgyz private media outlet 24.kg indicated that the “spontaneous protest against foreigners” concluded after police reached an agreement with the rioters, who dispersed shortly afterward.
The Kyrgyz health ministry reported that 29 individuals sustained injuries during the violence, while the foreign ministry stated that 14 foreigners were discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.