ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has constituted an inquiry committee to probe into the factors and causes that led to mob attacks on students at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.
Addressing a news conference along with Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi in Islamabad today, he said the committee will also investigate about the role of Pakistani Mission at Bishkek for facilitation of students.
The Foreign Minister said the committee will coordinate with Kyrgyz authorities and review all the findings and developments at Bishkek and submit its report with two weeks.
Just a day ago, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan expressed their commitment to strengthen people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
The understanding to this effect came during a meeting of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar with Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovich in Bishkek.
The two sides reaffirmed the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
They discussed the recent unfortunate incidents of violence against foreigners, including Pakistanis, in Kyrgyzstan.
The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the Kyrgyz government for its swift action to restore normalcy and ensure the well-being of Pakistani students amid the unrest.
He expressed the hope that those responsible for the recent acts of violence against Pakistanis would be held to account.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister explained the steps taken by the Kyrgyz authorities to restore law and order and reaffirmed the strong commitment to arrest, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of the mob riots.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to provide security to all foreigners including Pakistani nationals living in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Earlier, Ishaq Dar visited the National Hospital, Bishkek to meet a Pakistani textile worker who was injured during the recent mob violence.
The Deputy Prime Minister was received at the hospital by Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov and Kyrgyz Minister of Health Alymkadyr Beishenaliev.
The Deputy Prime Minister inquired about the health of Shahzaib who expressed a desire to return to Pakistan.
At a special request by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Kyrgyz authorities have decided to discharge him and to let him undertake further treatment in Pakistan.
He will travel to Pakistan with the Deputy Prime Minister on the special aircraft.
Ishaq Dar also held a very productive meeting with Kyrgyz Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar took up the issues relating to the welfare of Pakistan textile workers living in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Kyrgyz leader expressed readiness to find an early resolution to their visa status issues and regularize their continued stay in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The two sides also agreed to initiate discussions on a government-to-government labour mobility agreement and to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries.
