Achi news desk-
Kyrgyzstan is one of the Central Asian republics that emerged on the world map after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is a landlocked and middle-income nation with the most liberal and open political system in Central Asia. It has an area of ​​2,724,900 square kilometers and a population of 20,075,271 people. Sunni Muslims are the largest community, making up around 90% of the population, followed by Christians. In the last few years, this country has become a favorite of Pakistani students for their higher education especially medical degrees. One of the causes of this rush to Kyrgyzstan by Pakistani students is the low cost of education. A medical degree in a private college in Pakistan today costs almost eight to nine million rupees or USD 28,000 to 32,000, while the cost of this degree in Kyrgyzstan is around four to five million rupees or USD 14,000 to 18,000.
Unfortunately today’s world, despite more literacy and democratic values, is full of religious fanaticism, xenophobia and a growing wave of nationalism. And it is because of this fanatical nationalism bordering on xenophobia that our Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan found themselves at the receiving end of a fierce storm of hatred and bigotry launched by the local residents of Bishkek.
In Kyrgyzstan, the fear of foreign domination is present, and foreigners are seen as agents of some mysterious forces bent on seizing the country’s economic assets
This mob violence was launched against foreign students and the main targets were Egyptians and Pakistanis. The violence was triggered by a video on social media showing a fight between the local and foreign students. This video went viral on social media and innocent Pakistani students who had nothing to do with it became victims of racist and xenophobic sentiments and hatred. This video spread like wildfire in the local community, leading to attacks that resulted in injuries and trauma to many Pakistanis – but luckily no one was killed or seriously injured. Only three students were in hospital for treatment.
Such a show of nationalistic enthusiasm and xenophobia stems from demonizing other nations, and making fun of other cultures with different identities and backgrounds. In Kyrgyzstan, the fear of foreign economic dominance is present due to the influence of Russia and China, and as such, all foreigners are considered agents of some mysterious forces focused on seizing the country’s economic assets. Unfortunately this disturbing new trend of violence is not limited to the Central Asian republics but is a global phenomenon.
India has been the scene of violent attacks on Nigerian students. Many African students were attacked and beaten by a violent mob of Indian students in Delhi after the fake news of the murder of a local student. In 2024, Muslim students were attacked for offering prayers in their hostel.
Europe, too, has had its share of xenophobic mob violence. Indian students in Germany faced mob violence based on xenophobic sentiments.
South Africa despite its own long history of fighting Apartheid is not immune to the curse of nationalism and xenophobia. Nigerian and Zimbabwean students have been harassed and beaten for belonging to a different ethnic and cultural group.
The modern invention of the internet and the resulting social media has countless benefits for human society, but unfortunately it has also played a key role in spreading misinformation and creating tensions and hatred between different groups, leading to mob violence. We have witnessed this many times in Pakistan, when people have been brutally killed or burned alive by a violent mob of religiously charged zealots. The rapid spread of false information can fuel existing prejudices and lead to mob action before authorities can intervene.
With the increase in the number of international students around the world, it is now necessary to give proper protection to students from different countries. There must be legislation against xenophobic violence and for preventing mob justice. Cultural sensitivity and knowledge of combating misinformation must be taught to the local students. All foreign students should have access to free legal aid and support groups to eradicate the evils of xenophobia.
There are about 110,000 Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan, most of them enrolled in medical degree classes. By now, around 5,000 of them have managed to reach Pakistan in fear of the recent violent events.
Aryani, who is in his last year of college, says that although Bishkek seems to be returning to a state of normalcy, he was not willing to stay in the Kyrgyz capital at this time. He says he plans to get a ticket and fly back to Pakistan as soon as he can. Korish, a third year student, says he managed to step out of his hostel on Monday morning and could move around the city. But he also said he would travel back to Pakistan to allay his parents’ concerns.
In a news conference on Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, said that the Kyrgyz authorities had ensured that the situation had been brought under control. He confirmed that “four or five” Pakistani students had been injured in the violence but denied online rumors of any deaths in the clashes.
Yet Dar appeared to acknowledge the fears of more than 11,000 Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan, and their families, announcing that the government was arranging flights to bring back all the students who wanted to return. The government, he said, would bear the costs – although Pakistani students in Bishkek claimed they had to pay out of pocket for the tickets.
