Parents concerned about Pakistani students trapped in Bangladesh

Parents of Pakistani students trapped in Bangladesh unrest have sought the Prime Minister’s help to ensure the safety of their children, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Saturday.

In a letter to the PM's additional secretary, they called upon the Pakistani government to establish contacts with Pakistani students and ensure their safe return.

They said their children were studying in different medical colleges in Bangladesh under the Saarc quota and the law and order situation in Bangladesh raised their concerns about the safety of their children.

They said the Bangladesh government imposed a curfew across the country, particularly in Dhaka and neighbouring cities, resulting in cutting off their contact with their children.

Soldiers were patrolling Bangladeshi cities on Saturday to quell growing civil unrest sparked by student demonstrations, with riot police firing on protesters who defied a government curfew, according to a report.

This week's violence has killed at least 123 people so far, according to an AFP count of victims reported by police and hospitals. It poses a monumental challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government after 15 years in office.

A government curfew went into effect at midnight and the premier's office asked the military to deploy troops after police again failed to subdue widespread mayhem.

"The army has been deployed nationwide to control the law and order situation," an armed forces spokesman said.

The curfew will remain in effect until at least 10:00 am (0400 GMT) Sunday, private broadcaster Channel 24 reported.

Streets in the capital Dhaka were almost deserted at daybreak, with troops on foot and in armoured personnel carriers patrolling the sprawling megacity of 20 million.

The parents of Pakistani students urged the high commissioner of Pakistan in Bangladesh to gear up efforts to contact their loved ones and ensure their safety.

The Bangladeshi government has also evicted all local students from the hostels, the letter said, adding that Pakistani students were confined to their hostel.

They urged the government to step up efforts to ensure the safe return of all Pakistani students.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan’s mission in Dhaka is in contact with all the Pakistani students who are safe and accommodated at safer locations.

The deputy head of our mission visited Chittagong and met the students there well, the FO said, adding that all students are safe.

The High Commission accommodated students at safe locations including the High Commission premises, the ambassador’s residence and some other safer points, the FO maintained.