KARACHI:
On the early morning of May 14th, I woke up by a series of Instagram stories from a friend studying medicine in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The videos of local students violently harassing and assaulting foreign students were a stark contrast to the fun movie night my friend had posted about just the day before. According to media reports, the unrest began on May 13th, triggered by an incident of harassment involving female students from Egypt. A video showing a confrontation between Kyrgyz and Egyptian medical students went viral, escalating tensions significantly. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was a conspicuous silence in Pakistan until May 18th, while students in Bishkek were left to fend for themselves amid the chaos.
Kyrgyzstan hosts more than 12,000 Pakistani students, predominantly in medical programmes. A significant number of these students are based in the capital, Bishkek. Now that the flights have begun to evacuate students from the Kyrgyz capital and the situation has started to stabilise, it has become imperative to reflect on how to prevent such incidents in the future. Several measures can be considered to enhance the safety and well-being of Pakistani students abroad, Firstly, by investing in and enhancing the quality of education in Pakistan, we can reduce the need for students to pursue their studies abroad, thereby minimising their exposure to such potential dangers. Secondly, students should receive comprehensive training before going abroad, equipping them with conflict resolution skills and cultural sensitivity to help them navigate and avoid potential conflicts. Thirdly, clear guidelines should be provided to students studying abroad on how to contact their consulates during emergencies. Consulates must be proactive and responsive, offering immediate assistance and intervention when necessary. Lastly, both the government and media should act swiftly to address incidents involving Pakistani students abroad. This ensures that their safety is prioritised and that timely help is extended.
The Bishkek incident underscores the need for a coordinated approach, involving the government, the Pakistani missions abroad and the media, to safeguard the interests of a large number of Pakistani students who are studying overseas.
Laraib Zehra
Sargodha
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2024.
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