PM dispatches minister to Bishkek after mob attacks

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday dispatched Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, States and Frontier Regions Engr Amir Muqam to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan after foreign students, including Pakistanis, came under attack.

As the Foreign Office lodged a strong protest with the Kyrgyz government over the mob attacks, Engr Amir Muqam, during his visit, will hold meetings with senior government officials of Kyrgyzstan in view of the situation that erupted after attacks on the hostels housing foreign students.

The prime minister decided to send Engineer Amir Muqam to help resolve the problems faced by Pakistani students in Beshkek.

The federal minister will also meet with the Pakistani students in Bishkek. Before departing, the minister said that the government under the leadership of PM Shahbaz Sharif was already in contact with the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure the protection of our students in the aftermath of incidents of violence in Bishkek.

The minister expressed concerns over the violent clashes in Kyrgyzstan and asked the students to stay in touch with the Pakistan Embassy, adding that the safety of Pakistani students was our foremost priority and we, as government putting all efforts in this regard.

He said the confirmation that no Pakistani student died in the violence, is a big sigh of relief for the whole nation and we will ensure the safety and security of our students.

Meanwhile, Pakistan contacted the Kyrghyz government to ensure the safety and security of its nationals at risk in view of the mob riots of last night in the Kyrghyz Republic.

“The Kyrghyz authorities have expressed regret at the incidents of violence against foreign nationals including Pakistanis in Bishkek last night. They have also pledged to hold an inquiry and punish the perpetrators, according to the statement issued here by the foreign office.

Read Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek asked to 'stay indoors' after mob attacks

The Pakistan embassy has opened emergency helplines and responding to queries of students and their families. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Hassan Ali Zaigham has been in close contact with senior Kyrgyz authorities.

According to the Kyrgyz Health Ministry, four Pakistanis were provided first aid and discharged while one is under treatment for jaw injury.

Hours after the reports of mob attacks, the charge d'affaires of the Kyrgyz embassy, Melis Moldaliev, was called to the Foreign Office for a demarche by Director General (ECO & CARs) Aizaz Khan.

He was conveyed the deep concerns of the government of Pakistan about the reports of last night’s incidents against Pakistani students studying in the Kyrgyz Republic.

It was impressed on the Kyrgyz Charge d'affaires that the Kyrgyz government should take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani students and citizens residing in the Kyrgyz Republic.

“The Government of Pakistan takes the matter of the safety and security of its national around the world very seriously and will take all necessary measures to ensure their wellbeing,” the foreign office said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed the Foreign Office to monitor the situation round-the-clock and to fully assist and facilitate Pakistani nationals.

Kyrgyz police said they had mobilised forces in the Central Asian nation’s capital on Friday to quell the violence, in which hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacked buildings housing foreign students, including Pakistanis. The attack, the police said, was prompted by foreigners -- whose nationality was not immediately clear -- beating up locals in the city.