Pakistan summons Kyrgyz envoy after mob violence

The Foreign Office (FO) summoned on Saturday the Charge d'Affaires of the Kyrgyz Embassy for a demarche in response to mob violence against Pakistani students in Bishkek earlier today.

The FO director general expressed Pakistan's "deep concern" over the reports of assaults on Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan to the diplomat.

He emphasized that the Kyrgyz government must take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani students.

"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," the FO noted.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has instructed the FO 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 added.

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The statement added the Kyrgyz health ministry had confirmed four Pakistanis were given first aid and discharged while one was still under treatment.

Pakistani students studying in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek were asked to "stay indoors" after they were among foreign students subjected to mob violence by locals early on Saturday.

According to the embassy in Bishkek, foreign students were attacked by local mobs in the aftermath of a brawl between Egyptian nationals and locals a few days ago.

The attack, the police said, was prompted by foreigners, whose nationality was not immediately clear - beating up locals in the city.