40 Pakistani students return home from Kyrgyzstan after riots

At least 40 Pakistani students fled Kyrgyzstan after a violent mob attacked several foreign students in the capital city, Bishkek, according to the Pakistani interior ministry.

The students arrived in Lahore on a flight from Bishkek, covering their travel expenses. The flight, KA-571, had vacant seats and landed at Lahore airport at 11:02 AM. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was present to receive the students. He announced to reporters that a special flight service to repatriate Pakistani students would start on Sunday.

Addressing the students' concerns regarding their studies, Naqvi assured them that the government would resolve their academic issues and provide medical treatment for the injured. Additionally, transport services were arranged to help students reach their homes.

One injured student explained that the conflict began when a few Egyptian students assaulted local students, leading to a viral video on social media that incited locals to attack foreign students. He emphasized that none of the Pakistani students were involved in the altercation with Kyrgyz students.

A parent of one of the students expressed frustration, reporting that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hasan Zaigham, did not respond when contacted about his son's situation, who was stranded in a room. He criticized the embassy's response.

With approximately 10,000 Pakistani students studying in Kyrgyzstan, some reported that local friends assisted them in reaching the airport amidst reports of taxi drivers attacking students.