No deaths among Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan: Dar

FM confirms at least 540 more students to be flown back today
LAHORE
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that four special flights, including a Pakistan Air Force Airbus aircraft, will ferry 540 Pakistani students to the country following mob violence against foreign students in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.
Dar also assured that no Pakistani students were killed in the violence.
Addressing the media alongside Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Federal Minister Engr Amir Muqam, Dar said the number of repatriated students from Bishkek would reach 670 after today’s special flights.
The foreign minister added that three flights are fully booked, but the additional PAF flight is still open for bookings.
The deputy premier stated that 24-hour hotlines are operational to facilitate any Pakistani national wishing to return to the country via special flights.
“If students want to leave, we are prepared to bring them… but obviously not all students would like to come,” the deputy premier added.
Around 140 Pakistani students from Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport last night (Saturday) following mob violence that targeted international students, including Pakistani nationals.
Dar, sharing information provided by the Kyrgyz foreign minister, said 16 foreign students, including four Pakistanis, had sustained injuries during the mob attacks.
The foreign minister said his counterpart assured him that he, the Kyrgyz president, and the cabinet chair were monitoring the situation and that it is now “completely under control”, with no further incidents reported. Dar, quoting his counterpart, said international students were encouraged to engage in dialogue with Kyrgyz students