Pakistan quickly brought back over 3,000 of its citizens from Kyrgyzstan due to safety worries. The deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, said more than 4,000 Pakistani students will return home by the end of this week.
These students were moved back after mobs attacked them in Bishkek. This happened after a video showed a fight between local and foreign students on May 13. This led to more tension and danger for South Asian students in Kyrgyzstan.
The Pakistani government worked with Kyrgyz officials to get its students back safely. They also helped those affected by the attacks. This shows how important it is to keep students safe when they study abroad.
Mob Attacks on International Students in Bishkek
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, saw a scary event when mobs attacked international students, including many Pakistanis. This happened on May 17th. The mobs, made up of Kyrgyz men, went into dorms and caused harm and damage.
Trigger for the Attacks
A video from May 13th showed a fight between local and international students. This incident made many angry with foreign students. This led to the violent attacks a few days later.
Injuries and Damage Reported
The violence hurt 29 people, said the Kyrgyz health ministry. Dormitory attacks by hundreds of Kyrgyz men hurt students and damaged their homes.
The international student safety issue in Bishkek led to quick action. Police were sent to stop the mob violence and bring peace back.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of our students in Kyrgyzstan and are working closely with the local authorities to ensure their well-being.”
- The mob attacks on international students in Bishkek left over 29 individuals injured, according to the Kyrgyz health ministry.
- Hundreds of Kyrgyz men targeted the dormitories where foreign students, including Pakistanis, resided, leading to injuries and damage to the properties.
- The trigger incident that sparked the violence was a video depicting a fight between local and international students on May 13th.
- Kyrgyz authorities responded by mobilizing police forces to subdue the mob violence and restore order in the city.
kyrgyzstan pakistani students
Kyrgyzstan is a top choice for Pakistani students looking for higher education abroad. It has about 24,000 international students, with 11,000 from Pakistan. Most of these students come for medical studies. They like the lower tuition fees of about $3,000 a year.
These students help Kyrgyzstan’s education and economy a lot. They spend a lot on living costs and services. This brings in up to $180 million a year to Kyrgyzstan, with a big part from Pakistani students.
Recent mob attacks in Bishkek have made things tough for Pakistani students. Over 300 have gone back to Pakistan already. If things don’t get better, almost 4,000 more might leave.
The Pakistani government has quickly set up a helpline and a committee to help students and their families. The Kyrgyz government says it will keep international students safe and catch the attackers.
How Pakistani students stay in Kyrgyzstan will affect its education sector and future student attraction. This will be key for Kyrgyzstan’s education future.
“Kyrgyzstan annually receives up to $180 million to the economy from foreign students studying in English-language universities.”
Pakistan’s Response and Repatriation Efforts
After the mob attacks on international students in Bishkek, Pakistan’s Embassy in Kyrgyzstan acted fast. They set up an emergency helpline for Pakistani students and their families. This helped keep them safe and gave them the help they needed.
Over 3,000 Pakistani students were brought back from Kyrgyzstan. The first 130 citizens arrived home on a special flight. The government worked with Kyrgyz officials to make sure Pakistani nationals got back safely. This included those who had stayed too long and needed temporary visas.
Inquiry Committee Formation
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said they would look into the attacks. An inquiry committee will talk to different people and check how the Embassy handled the situation. They aim to report back within two weeks.
The goal is to stop such events from happening again. They want to understand what happened fully.
| Key Statistics | Figures |
|---|---|
| Pakistani students repatriated from Kyrgyzstan | Over 3,000 |
| Pakistani students brought back on a special flight | 130 |
| Pakistani students enrolled in Kyrgyzstan | Around 10,000, with 6,000 in Bishkek |
| Pakistani students injured during the attacks | 5, with one seriously wounded |
The Pakistani government acted fast and well. They brought back thousands of students, set up a helpline, and formed a committee to investigate. This shows they care deeply about their students’ safety abroad.
Kyrgyzstan’s Actions and Statements
After the mob attacks on international students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s government acted fast. They wanted to make sure everyone felt safe again. President Sadyr Japarov made a strong statement. He said his government won’t let violence against foreign people happen.
President’s Assurance of Safety
Japarov said that students and workers from other countries are important to Kyrgyzstan. They help the economy and make the society better. He promised to keep them safe and make sure the violence stops.
Arrests of Perpetrators
Kyrgyzstan’s secret services have caught some of the people who attacked the students. The government said they will investigate fully. They will make sure those who did wrong are punished.
Kyrgyzstan’s quick actions and the president’s strong words are important. They show the government cares about keeping international students and workers safe. This helps keep Kyrgyzstan a good place for people from other countries to come.
Impact on Kyrgyzstan’s Education Sector
Violent attacks in Bishkek have hit hard at foreign students. They could severely hurt the country’s education sector. These students, mostly from India and Pakistan, bring in $180 million a year.
This big money could be lost if Kyrgyzstan’s image as a top place for foreign students is damaged.
Potential Revenue Loss
In the last ten years, more foreign students have come to Kyrgyzstan, especially for medicine. The Ministry of Education says over 28,000 foreign students are in medical schools now. Most are from Pakistan and India.
| Country | Number of Foreign Students |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | Over 11,000 |
| India | Over 15,000 |
After attacks on student hostels in Bishkek, over 1,200 Pakistani students left the International University of Kyrgyzstan. Many more might leave, causing a big revenue loss for the education sector.
“The violent attacks on student hostels in the capital will tarnish Kyrgyzstan’s reputation as an ‘education hub’ for foreign students, an image Bishkek had spent many years building.”
The government must act fast to make international students feel safe again. If not, Kyrgyzstan could lose a key source of revenue and hurt its education sector.
Reactions from Other Countries
The violent mob attacks on international students in Bishkek caused a big stir. Many countries, like the United States and Turkey, warned their people to be careful. They did this because of the safety issues.
The Bangladesh government was very worried about the attacks. They wanted to make sure foreign students in Kyrgyzstan were safe fast. Diplomats and consular support were key in keeping students safe during this hard time.
Travel Advisories Issued
After the international reactions, many countries acted quickly to protect their students in Kyrgyzstan. They gave out travel advisories. These warned students and travelers to be extra careful in the country.
These advisories stressed the need for consular support. They also talked about working closely with local authorities to keep everyone safe.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens abroad is of utmost importance. We urge all students and travelers in Kyrgyzstan to remain vigilant and follow the guidance provided by our embassies.”
Quick international reactions and travel advisories showed how worried the world is about students in Kyrgyzstan. These steps help protect and keep students safe, no matter where they’re from, while they study abroad.
Concerns Raised by Students and Parents
The unrest in Kyrgyzstan has made Pakistani students and their parents worried. Many parents want their kids back in Islamabad. Some students are thinking twice about going back to Kyrgyzstan because of safety fears.
A student from Pakistan at Kyrgyzstan’s International University, Ahmed Faiz, shared their worries. He said, “We are really scared. We came here only to study.”
With over 10,000-11,000 Pakistani students in the country, their worries are valid. The violent attacks on students in Bishkek have made them feel very unsafe.
“We are really scared. We came here only to study.”
The Pakistani government quickly brought back over 4,000 students from Kyrgyzstan. This action was a relief. But, the crisis could affect Kyrgyzstan’s image as a place for education. The ongoing situation will likely affect Pakistani students’ decisions to study in Kyrgyzstan.
Role of Foreign Students in Kyrgyzstan’s Economy
Foreign students in Kyrgyzstan are now more important than ever. They bring in $136 million to $181.4 million each year. This money helps many parts of the economy.
About 24,000 students from India and Pakistan come to study medicine. They pay $3,000 a year in tuition. This money helps Kyrgyzstan’s schools and healthcare.
These students also spend money on things like taxis, restaurants, and haircuts. This helps the economy even more. It shows that Kyrgyzstan is a great place for studying abroad.
| Sector | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Education | $136 million – $181.4 million in annual spending |
| Hospitality | Significant spending on taxis, restaurants, and other services |
| Healthcare | Tuition fees support the medical education system |
After recent events, it’s clear how much foreign students help Kyrgyzstan. They make a big difference in many areas. Keeping a friendly place for them is key to keeping Kyrgyzstan’s economy strong.
Kyrgyzstan’s Reputation as an Education Hub
Kyrgyzstan worked hard to become a top place for education. It drew in thousands of students from all over the world. Deputy Education Minister Rasul Abazbek-uulu said they put a lot of effort into making it a go-to spot for higher learning.
But, violent attacks on student hostels in Bishkek hurt Kyrgyzstan’s good name. These attacks made people worry about the safety of students, especially those from South Asia. Many Pakistani and Indian students are there, making up a big part of the student body.
This could hurt Kyrgyzstan’s image as a safe place for students. With 10,000 to 12,000 Pakistani and over 17,000 Indian students, the impact is big.
Abazbek-uulu talked about the tough competition to get students. Medical schools in Kyrgyzstan and its neighbors are popular with Indian and Pakistani students because they’re cheaper. But, the violence might make students think twice about coming to Kyrgyzstan.