A Never Ending Struggle : Foreign Students in Bishkek Confront Yet Another Series of Attacks

Recently, various attacks on Bishkek have been commonly going around. Mostly for foreign students from South Asia. His excellency, Mr. Hasan Zaigham, Ambassador of Pakistan to The Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Zaigham said that “Some local extremist elements attacked the hostels and private residences of the international students last night”. He also said that 6 hostels were under attack by the furious opposers. Referring to The Kyrgyz Government, the Ambassador said that 14 Foreign Nationals were injured.  

According to media reports, there was a confrontation between the Kyrgyz Students and the Foreign Students. Mainly Egyptians and Pakistanis were involved in the fight. The brawl happened on May 13, and was sighted by locals. It was a clear breach of the courtesy extended to the international students. “The mission has been told that one Pakistani national, Shahzaib, is currently under treatment at the Kyrgyz National Hospital.” said the Ambassador. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited Shahzaib at the hospital and inquired about his health currently. The Ambassador has also said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, had directed the mission to provide every feasible facility to the Pakistani Nationals in Kyrgyzstan.  

The ambassador claimed that the local authorities have launched investigations into the attacks. The Police will remain vigilant to protect the Foreign Citizens. He also cleared that some of the suspects were taken to Custody by the Police Officers.  

Conversely, some Pakistani students took to social media to claim that foreign students were being mistreated by troublemakers. These students expressed that they felt unsafe in the current situation. One student remarked, “Kyrgyz citizens were present at every traffic signal.”