A special plane, carrying 170 Pakistani students, reached Lahore from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan late Sunday night, thus bringing the total number of students returning home to 540, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
Federal Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar, who welcomed the students at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, said the government was taking all steps it could to evacuate the students from the Central Asian country, which was rocked by attacks by the local youth on the foreign students’ hostels. “We will not leave our students at the mercy of rioters,” he said, and informed that one more plane carrying injured students would soon reach Pakistan.
The minister said that the government would try to send these students back to Kyrgyzstan once the situation returned to normalcy in the country.
Tarar went on to say that these students would make their parents and countrymen feel proud after getting degrees in their fields.
“Thanks to the Almighty Allah that no unpleasant incident happened to Pakistani students,” he said.
Another flight lands at Islamabad Airport
On the special instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam has welcomed the Pakistani students at Islamabad Airport who are coming from Bashkek after violent attacks on Pakistani students.
Talking to the media the minister said that the Prime Minister immediately took steps to protect Pakistani students after this incident, he himself was monitoring the situation.
Amir Muqam inquired about the students’ well-being, Whoever wants to return to the country, the government of Pakistan will provide all kinds of assistance to them.
The minister revealed that Inshallah more flights will bring the students back home. The protection of life and property of Pakistanis will be ensured in every case.
Our first priority is the safety of Pakistani students, Federal Minister Engineer Amir Moqam took information from the students about the tragic incident that happened in Bashkek and asked the problems.
Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan are children of the nation adding that thanks be to Allah Almighty that the students returned home safely, the minister said.
A few hours earlier on Sunday, two flights from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan arrived in Pakistan, reuniting 360 students with their eagerly awaiting families.
Flight KA 4575 landed at Islamabad Airport, while Flight KA 6571, operated by Aero Nomad Airlines, touched down at Lahore Airport, each carrying 180 students.
The arrivals were met with emotional scenes as parents and relatives gathered at both airports to welcome their loved ones back home.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar welcomed the students at the airport. He assured that the situation in Kyrgyzstan was stable, with only six to seven students sustained injuries.
The minister announced that special flights from Kyrgyzstan, supported by the government are underway to bring students back home.
A PIA special plane is expected to land in Islamabad tonight, he said adding that those students who wish to come back from Kyrgyzstan will be facilitated at all costs.
Despite allegations of negative propaganda, the minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to the repatriation process, allowing 3 to 4 flights daily.
Contrasting the government's statement, students at the airport voiced their concerns, claiming a lack of assistance from the Pakistani embassy in Bishkek amidst worsening conditions.
Foreign students studying in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek including those from Pakistan, were attacked by locals in the aftermath of their brawl with Egyptian students on May 13.
Several were injured while a few lost their lives in the scuffle.
The situation made the Pakistani students panic and they have decided to leave Kyrgyzstan immediately.
Reporter: Awais Kiani