The Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan recently engaged in discussions regarding the mass unrest that occurred in Bishkek on the night of May 19. They have agreed to meet at the summit of the Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana on May 21.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev briefed his Pakistani counterpart on the incident that took place on May 18 in Bishkek involving foreign students, including Pakistani citizens. He assured that public order is currently being fully maintained, and the situation is under control of the competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, expressed full understanding of the situation. He appreciated the measures taken by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan to ensure public order and the safety of Pakistani students in the Kyrgyz Republic. Dar also expressed readiness for active cooperation on this matter.
Both sides have agreed to hold a bilateral meeting in Astana on May 21, 2024, within the framework of the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting, for further exchange of information and discussion on the development of Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations. Additionally, they plan to organize inter-ministerial consultations on consular and legal issues between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Bishkek in the near future.
In response to the events of May 18, the Bishkek police force was put on high alert as approximately 300 young men sought retaliation against foreigners after a mass brawl. The police set up cordons and attempted to control the crowd. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has reconstructed a detailed chronology of the events.
While the authorities of Kyrgyzstan did not disclose the nationality of the foreigners who were the "main characters" of the night's riots, the reaction of Pakistani officials suggests that the victims were Pakistani citizens. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, commented on the unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan also issued a statement regarding the international scandal.
Recent reports indicate that the authorities of Pakistan have evacuated around 200 students from Kyrgyzstan on a special flight.
