Lahore, In response to recent incidents of violence in Bishkek, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar announced that three special aircraft will transport 540 Pakistani students back home tonight. This evacuation comes as a proactive measure to ensure the safety of nationals abroad amidst troubling developments.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the decision was detailed by Dar during a news conference in Lahore. He mentioned that an additional aircraft from the Pakistan Air Force, capable of carrying 130 passengers, has also been dispatched to aid in the evacuation. The foreign minister revealed that among those injured in the violence were sixteen students from various countries, including five Pakistanis. Dar also noted that 130 Pakistani students have already been repatriated.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister has confirmed that the situation in Bishkek is now under control, leading to the cancellation of a planned visit by Pakistani officials at the request of the Kyrgyz government. Dar emphasized that the violence was not targeted exclusively at Pakistani students and mentioned that senior officials have been sent to Kyrgyzstan to address the issue directly.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, spoke about the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic and the swift action taken by Pakistani authorities, including the establishment of an Emergency Response Cell. He condemned the use of the incident for political gains and reassured that the government is committed to the security of its citizens abroad. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, echoed these sentiments, stating the government’s dedication to assisting Pakistani students wanting to return home.