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No Pakistani student was killed during mob attacks in Bishkek
Violent clashes erupted between student groups in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. The conflict also impacted many Pakistani students. However, contrary to reports circulating on social media, no Pakistani was killed in the attack.
The Pakistani Embassy in Bishkek also issued a statement saying that the Kyrgyz government had confirmed no Pakistani student died in the violence. The foreign ministry in Islamabad summoned the charge d’affaires of Kyrgyzstan and lodged its protest.
Fact Check Pakistan not independently verify the reports about deaths, but many Pakistani students said on social media that attacks occurred on student hostels, leading to multiple injuries.
A social media user claimed that “innocent Pakistani students are being killed, girls are raped” and “locals in Kyrgyzstan are committed mob lynching with support of local police.” The user claimed, “13 Pakistani students are being killed until now.”
Another social media user shared the picture of young man who was severely injured and was presumed dead. However, there was no evidence the man was a Pakistani national.
This picture has been posted by several Pakistani accounts on X/Twitter as ‘proof’ that a Pakistan has been killed in Bishkek
There is no way to verify that the person shown here is a Pakistani national or that he isn’t alive and may be injured – or even if this is from Bishkek pic.twitter.com/GX0N4MKqbO
— FactCheckPakistan (@PakistanCheck) May 18, 2024
It must be mentioned that the violence in Bishkek is against foreigners – not only Pakistani students. It stems from a brawl that happened on May 13 between Egyptian students and locals. Bishkek police detained three foreign nationals and a court heard the case.
The violence started on May 18 when locals confronted three foreigners who had been detained and local police stopped them. Pakistani students are being targeted by protesters along with students of other foreign countries as well.
The Kyrgyz government has said that no Pakistani has been killed in the ongoing violence in Bishkek. The Pakistan Embassy in Bishkek has also said the same and referred a statement by the Kyrgyz government to this effect.
In a statement posted to social media platform X, the Pakistani embassy said, “The Kyrgyz government has confirmed that no Pakistani student died in the recent mob violence against international students. Moreover, Kygyz Ministry of Internal Affairs has also issued press releases stating that the situation is under control,” the Pakistan Embassy said in a statement.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hasan Zaigham has issued advisory instructions for Pakistani students, asking them to remain indoors until the situation normalizes and to stay in contact with local law enforcement authorities.
The envoy said that his office was liaising with local authorities to ensure students’ safety and posted numbers for an emergency helpline.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with the ambassador and told him to visit Pakistani students and offer them support and assistance.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, confirmed that the embassy is in contact with Kyrgyz authorities. The spokesperson announced that a help desk had been set up to facilitate Pakistani students and their parents.