Flight carrying Pakistani students from Bishkek lands at Lahore

LAHORE: A flight transporting Pakistani students from Bishkek successfully landed at Lahore Airport late on Saturday.

Flight KA571 arrived at Lahore International Airport carrying over 180 students. The arrivals were given a warm welcome by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Read more: Thousands of Pakistani students attacked by locals in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Lahore International Airport and other senior officials were also present to receive the students. Sources have indicated that additional flights will be organised to bring back more students still in Bishkek. Special flights are scheduled to operate tomorrow from Bishkek to Pakistan, as per the sources.

The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur engaged in telephonic communication with the Pakistani ambassador to Kyrgyzstan. The CM expressed concern over incidents of violence against Pakistani students in Bishkek. The CM also inquired about the welfare of Pakistani students from the ambassador.

Discussions between the two officials centered around issues related to the repatriation of students belonging to KP. The provincial government offered to cover the repatriation expenses. The CM also assured all forms of support for the safe return of the students. Gandapur also stated he would be in constant communication with the Pakistani embassy and students in Kyrgyzstan.

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the government’s current priority was to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. While receiving the students at the airport, Naqvi sought information about the Bishkek incident and provided assurance of support.

The minister arranged transportation for students from other cities. He said that Pakistani students studying abroad were “valuable assets” of the nation. Naqvi also thanked the students for returning home safely.

He further announced plans to bring back other students from Kyrgyzstan through additional flights.

Read more: Ishaq Dar, Amir Muqam to visit Kyrgyzstan tomorrow

Federal Ministers Ishaq Dar and Amir Muqam left for Kyrgyzstan on Saturday to address the situation with Kyrgyz authorities and oversee the repatriation efforts of Pakistani students.

A violent attack on Pakistani medical students occurred following a scuffle between Egyptian students and locals in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It was reported that hundreds of thousands of locals assaulted foreigners, particularly targeting Pakistanis due to their significant presence among foreign students.

Pakistani students faced severe beatings, and their hostels were breached.

The situation grew severe enough that the Kyrgyz army was deployed and cordoning off all streets leading to universities and student hostels. The Pakistani embassy had to urge the students to stay indoors until the situation normalised.

Social media posts by Pakistani students showed the severity of the incident, as over 12,000 Pakistanis, mainly studying medicine, reside in Bishkek.