Bishkek Attack: Pakistani Students Flee After Violent Attack
Last week, mobs attacked international students in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, with Pakistani students accounting for a sizable proportion of those targeted. While the immediate threat appears to have passed, the incident has caused shockwaves in the foreign student community and damaged relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
So, what sparked the violence, what happened on May 17, and how is the situation in Bishkek currently?
What happened in Bishkek?
According to reports, on a night last week, mobs characterised as “local extremist elements” by Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hasan Zaigham, stormed six dormitories housing international students and their private dwellings. Fourteen students, including Pakistanis, were reported hurt.
Pakistani Student’s Overview of the Chaos:
Korish Malik, a 24-year-old Pakistani student seeking a medical degree in Bishkek, remembers being at his hostel when the hostel administration issued an evening message instructing students to stay indoors.
Back at the VIP Hostel, Korish stated that shortly after students heard the warning, police officers arrived and blocked off the front gate of the building. But the throng, he continued, was enormous—too large, as it turned out.
What Kyrgyz Media Sources Said:
According to Kyrgyz media sources, a mob of more than 700 people gathered outside the city’s VIP Hostel, which accommodates over 800 international students from Pakistan, India, Egypt, and Bangladesh.
The Pakistani embassy in Kyrgyzstan replied quickly, advising all Pakistani students to remain indoors until the situation cooled down. The Pakistani authorities summoned the Kyrgyz embassy to Islamabad, seeking “all possible measures” to protect the safety of their students.
The Exodus of Pakistani Students from Bishkek to Homeland:
Fearing for their safety, a reported 140 Pakistani students stuck in Bishkek were able to return to Lahore on Saturday.
In a press briefing on Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar claimed Kyrgyz authorities had told him that the situation was under control. He stated that “four or five” Pakistani students were injured in the violence, but denied that anyone died in the fighting.
Dar did, however, acknowledge the anxieties of the more than 11,000 Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan and their families. The government was preparing aircraft to send all students back to their homeland who chose to return. He asserted that the government would cover the costs, even though Pakistani students in Bishkek reported they had to pay for their return airfares.
The Aftermath in Bishkek:
The attacks have tarnished Bishkek’s reputation as a welcome place for overseas students. To rebuild trust with the international world, the Kyrgyz government will need to take real steps, such as safeguarding the safety of foreign students and bringing offenders to justice.
While the immediate crisis appears to have been contained, some concerns remain unanswered. The motivation for the attacks remains unclear. Tensions between locals and international students, or bigger political issues, may be at play. A thorough investigation by Kyrgyz authorities is critical for determining the fundamental reason and averting repeat instances.
Looking Forward:
The Pakistani government is responsible for the well-being of its students overseas. Likewise, when the Pakistani Government has approved an emergency supply of twenty-three billion rupees to help the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Now, also they should continue engagement with Kyrgyz officials, as well as finding alternate educational choices for displaced students, are critical steps.
Urge your local representatives to pressure the government to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan and explore alternative educational options for those displaced. Let your voice be heard!
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