Iftikhar Khattak
Last night, countless Kyrgyz men stormed buildings in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, which housed international students, including Pakistanis. This was a troubling episode. This nerve-wracking incident damages Kyrgyzstan’s image as a welcoming and safe travel and educational destination in addition to giving the impression that the nation is hazardous for foreigners, especially students. A fight between locals and foreigners allegedly started the incident, which harmed many Pakistani students and shocked the global community. Pakistan has set up emergency hotlines for anybody affected by the violence and instructed its students to stay indoors. In an additional move to express disapproval of the violence, the Pakistani government summoned the Kyrgyz diplomat in its capital, Islamabad, and insisted that Kyrgyzstan undertake all required measures to protect Pakistani nationals and students.
After a scandal concerning bullying of Egyptian female students, the disruptive behaviour is said to have increased. On May 13, tensions intensified after a video emerged that showed a fight between Egyptian medical students and Kyrgyz students. In retaliation, the Kyrgyz government declared that four foreign nationals born between 1993 and 2003 had been taken into custody and were being held in an interim prison as part of a criminal prosecution pertaining to criminal activity. However, neither their nationality nor the details of their detention were made public by the Kyrgyz authorities. This act seriously harms Kyrgyzstan’s reputation by serving as an unforgiving symbol of the unfriendly atmosphere that international students have to deal with. The incident has triggered a great deal of indignation and anxiety, both within the Pakistani community and globally, as it underscores the lack of safety and security for international students in the country.
The conflict has likely rigorously affected the historically amicable ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Kyrgyzstan’s statehood in 1991, and diplomatic ties were formed in 1992, with Pakistan opening an embassy in Bishkek in 1995. Strong economic and cultural ties have been kept between the two states, which have collaborated in a number of international fora, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), and the United Nations. Their collaboration is governed by two institutional mechanisms: the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and the Bilateral Political Consultation (BPC), which influence areas such as agriculture, trade, communication, defence, education, science and technology, energy, and investment. Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have a small but developing trading connection. Pakistan exported $10.8 million worth of products, including tea, sports equipment, and branded medications, to Kyrgyzstan in 2022. Pakistan’s exports to Kyrgyzstan have grown at an annualised rate of 4.92% during the last 27 years, going from $2.96 million in 1995 to $10.8 million in 2022. Conversely, Kyrgyzstan exported $1.49 million worth of commodities to Pakistan, mostly consisting of automobiles, aviation components, and refined gasoline.
However, Kyrgyzstan’s diplomatic ties with the impacted states have probably deteriorated as a result of the recent violence against Pakistani and other overseas students. Governments that have been directly affected, such as Pakistan, may call for responsibility, accountability and security measures. Violent incidents and a failure to safeguard international students may discourage future enrolment, harming the educational sector’s image, both economically and reputationally. This could potentially lead to diplomatic friction. Fears about safety might lead to a drop in international student enrolment and tourism, which could have broader economic implications on local firms and the national economy as well as reduce revenue generated from these industries.
Dread and terror are being caused by conflicting signals spread by rumours and media reports. The harmful effects are exacerbated by the rapid propagation of unpleasant visuals on social media. Based on these popular photos and videos, audiences throughout the world—including prospective students and tourists—are probably going to re-evaluate their decisions. At risk is the idea that Kyrgyzstan is an idealistic and safe country around the world. The government ought to deal with these situations directly, which includes persuading the students and Kyrgyz authorities of their intentions.
Proactive Engagement with the impacted students’ governments is indispensable. In order to meet the requirements of the students, the Pakistani mission in Bishkek requires taking a proactive approach in providing food, medication, security, and even assistance with their return home. In order to lessen diplomatic repercussions, open communication and collaboration are crucial. Supporting abused students with counselling, financial aid for lost or damaged possessions, and medical attention might show that the nation’s educational institutions care about their welfare. Strong public relations efforts to combat unfavourable perceptions may also be beneficial. Rebuilding trust might take time, but it can be achieved by showcasing instances of achievement and reiterating Kyrgyzstan’s dedication to the safety and well-being of foreign students. Future accidents can be avoided by putting in place long-term safety and integrating programmes for overseas students. This entails task forces specifically focused on the welfare of students, training in dispute resolution, and cultural integration initiatives.
Furthermore, consular officials have to offer sufficient assistance via hotlines, offering timely information and addressing issues encountered by distressed people. To provide complete safety for young people who are trapped, the foreign minister of Pakistan should assign staff to keep an eye on the issue and get in touch with his counterpart in Kyrgyzstan. It is imperative that both nations cooperate in order to address the underlying reasons for the violence and make sure that similar instances never occur again as the situation develops. Kyrgyzstan may start repairing the damage done to its reputation and re-establishing trust with the international community by implementing these actions.
The writer is a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST).
