ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, voicing concerns about the violent circumstances in Bishkek, instructed Pakistan's Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hassan Ali Zaigham, to give Pakistani students all the assistance they require.
According to a news release from the PM Office Media Wing, the prime minister instructed him to go to the hostels of Pakistani students and personally meet them.
The prime minister was informed by the ambassador that Pakistani students were safe and that the embassy was providing assistance to those who had been hurt.
In addition to advising him to stay in touch with the parents and give them timely information, the prime minister said that urgent plans needed to be made for the injured Pakistani students who desired to return home.
He indicated that all costs would be borne by the government in this regard. The prime minister expressed his worries and added that he was personally keeping an eye on the situation and would not abandon the students.
He said that the governments of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were in communication.
profoundly troubled by the circumstances surrounding Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The prime minister had earlier posted on his X timeline, "I have instructed Pakistan's Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance."
Pakistan's Embassy in Bishkek reports that following their earlier altercation with Egyptian nationals a few days prior, people in Bishkek resorted to violence against international students residing there, including those from Pakistan.
There have been reports of attacks on private residences of international students, notably Pakistani students, and some of the hostels of Bishkek's medical universities. The embassy did, however, state that they had not yet been notified of any verified allegations of any deaths or rapes involving Pakistani students in the area.
The prime minister continued, "My office is also in contact with the Embassy and is continually monitoring the situation."
The helpline numbers, +996555554476 and +996507567667, have already been distributed by the embassy, and hundreds of calls from students and their families have been answered.