The governments of Pakistan and India on Saturday urged their citizens to stay indoors following mob attacks on foreigners in Kyrgyzstan.
On Friday, hundreds of Kyrgyzstans stormed a building in Bishkek housing international students, including Pakistani and Indian nationals. Thousands of Pakistanis and Indians study and work in the Central Asian country.
Several Pakistanis injured in mob violence in Kyrgyzstan
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch said in an online post on Saturday that four Pakistanis were given first aid and released from hospital, while another was being treated for a jaw injury. It is unclear whether any Pakistanis were killed in the attack in Kyrgyzstan.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan visited Kyrgyzstan National Hospital and met Pakistani nationals receiving treatment after the attack.
Baloch said Kyrgyzstan was “impressed by taking all measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani students and citizens residing in the Kyrgyz Republic.” Pakistan handed Kyrgyzstan a diplomatic note protesting the violence.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was “deeply concerned about the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek.” “I have directed the Pakistani ambassador to provide all necessary assistance and assistance. My office is also in touch with the embassy and constantly monitoring the situation.”
Indian foreign minister ‘monitors’ welfare of Bishkek students
Both the Pakistani and Indian governments have set up hotlines for Kyrgyz citizens who need help.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said: “We are monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. The situation is reportedly calm now. The students are in regular contact with the embassy. I strongly encourage you to take action.”
It is unclear whether any Indian nationals were injured in the mob violence.
Kyrgyzstan government says situation is under control
Most of the mob attacks occurred on Friday night. The Kyrgyz government sent troops on Friday to quell the violence.
“The Kyrgyz authorities have taken all necessary measures to ensure security and maintain peace and stability. Our law enforcement forces will resolutely suppress any attempts to violate public order,” Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers said on 24. said in a statement posted by kg. Kyrgyzstan news site.
In a separate statement cited by local news outlets, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry accused “foreign media and social media, especially subversive forces in Pakistan,” of spreading false information about the violence in Bishkek.
of indian era Mob attacks in Kyrgyzstan were sparked by clashes on May 13, when local Kyrgyz students got into an altercation with Egyptian and students from Arab countries. A Kyrgyz student was reportedly injured in the incident, and anti-foreign sentiment has increased in Kyrgyzstan over the past week.
India and Pakistan both established formal diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan in 1992, after the country became an independent country after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
wd/msh (Reuters, Associated Press)
