By Students stranded abroad often endure challenging experiences, and the situation for foreign students in Kyrgyzstan, including Pakistanis, appears particularly dire.
Distress calls, reports, and videos from Pakistani students in the Kyrgyz capital and Kant highlight their plight. Frightened students report that angry mobs have broken into their hostels, assaulted them, stolen money, and destroyed personal property.
In WhatsApp calls with journalists, students described a severe food shortage, as they are unable to leave their rooms. Disturbing visuals on social media show armed crowds breaking doors and beating students.
Media reports indicate that the violence erupted after a clash between locals and Egyptian nationals in Bishkek on May 13. The cause of the confrontation remains unclear, but reports suggest five Pakistanis were injured. Pakistan has advised its students to stay indoors amid the violence targeting the international student community.
If the students’ claims are accurate, the government must act swiftly to address the distress faced by its young citizens caught in this turmoil.
Mixed messages from media reports and rumors are exacerbating panic and fear. Therefore, the Pakistani mission in Bishkek needs to adopt a hands-on approach to address students’ needs, including food, medicine, security, and potential repatriation. The government must navigate this crisis with clear communication with both the students and Kyrgyz authorities.
The consular staff should provide support through helplines, offering regular updates and assistance to the distraught students. The foreign minister should assign personnel to monitor the situation closely and establish contact with Kyrgyz counterparts to ensure the safety and well-being of the stranded students.
This concerning situation must not become another instance of state neglect. The government must take decisive action to protect its citizens abroad.
