290 Pakistani Students Stranded in Kyrgyzstan Return to Peshawar
A special flight carrying 290 Pakistani students who were stranded in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, landed safely at Bacha Khan Airport in Peshawar early Wednesday morning. This flight marks the first of a series of four special flights organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to bring back students from Bishkek to their home province.
Warm Welcome at the Airport
The returning students were greeted with warmth and relief by their parents and relatives, who had gathered at the airport to welcome them home. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as families reunited after a challenging period.
Government Officials' Presence
Key members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet were present at the airport to receive the students. Among them were the Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, and Adviser Mashal Afridi. They expressed their relief and joy at the safe return of the students.
Commitment to Citizens Abroad
Speaking to the media, Minister Meena Afridi emphasized the provincial government's commitment to ensuring the well-being of its citizens abroad. "The students in Kyrgyzstan will not be left alone in difficult times," she stated. "The provincial government is dedicated to bringing our children home safely."
More Flights Scheduled
The second special flight carrying additional students from Bishkek is expected to arrive in Peshawar early today. In total, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has planned four special flights to ensure that all Pakistani students stranded in Kyrgyzstan can return home safely.
Parents' Gratitude
Parents expressed profound gratitude to the provincial government for their timely intervention. One emotional parent said, "We are so relieved to have our children back home. We are thankful to everyone involved in making this happen."
Students Returning to Lahore and Islamabad
In addition to the students arriving in Peshawar, a group of 179 Pakistani students, both male and female, returned safely to Lahore from Bishkek on Tuesday. Their arrival was warmly welcomed by the officers and staff of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).
Another batch of 347 students arrived in Islamabad. Among them, 180 students landed via a private flight at 5:30 am, while a national airline flight brought an additional 167 students to Islamabad airport. This brings the total number of students who have returned to Islamabad through five separate flights to 810.
Incident in Bishkek
On May 18, a mob attack on foreign students in Bishkek resulted in injuries to dozens of students, including 14 Pakistanis. The violent incident saw hundreds of locals entering the hostels of foreign medical students, causing extensive damage to property and injuring several students. Indian, Bangladeshi, and Egyptian students, including women, were also among those brutally attacked.
Ensuring Safety and Return
The KP government’s prompt action to organize special flights underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Pakistani students abroad. The timely return of the students has brought immense relief to their families and highlighted the government's dedication to its citizens in times of crisis.
