A meeting took place in Bishkek between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The meeting was organized during the brief stopover of the Pakistani Foreign Minister between Astana and Islamabad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan informed.
During the talks, the parties discussed key areas and priorities for strengthening Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations, emphasizing the importance of further developing political dialogue between the countries.
The importance of increasing the number of mutual high-level visits and expanding trade and economic cooperation was noted.
Special attention was paid to issues of trade, investment, transport communications, the textile industry, tourism, education, and healthcare.
Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev highlighted the need to intensify trade and economic ties and cooperation in the energy sector. He stressed the importance of the early launch of the subregional energy project "CASA-1000," which will allow for the diversification of trade relations.
In discussing the international agenda, the parties touched upon the development of new transit routes to strengthen regional connectivity and economic ties between Central and South Asia. Special attention was given to the work on expanding the regional transport corridor Pakistan – China – Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan, which is already being used for mutual trade.
The parties agreed to hold the next round of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan to advance these issues.
Special attention was given to the safety of Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan. Jeenbek Kulubaev assured that Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies are taking all necessary measures to ensure their safety.
Kyrgyz universities, with the support of public organizations, are conducting activities aimed at strengthening friendly relations between the youth of the two countries. The minister also reported that a thorough investigation of the incident that occurred on May 13 is underway, and the culprits will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar expressed gratitude for the prompt measures taken by the Kyrgyz side to resolve the situation and for constructive interaction on all discussed issues.
The incident involving foreign students in Bishkek occurred on May 13. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, about 200 people were involved in the unrest.
The crowd threw stones and bottles at the dormitory building, shouting nationalist slogans. As a result of the attack, more than 20 foreign students from India, Turkey, Pakistan, and other countries were injured.
Several people sustained injuries of varying degrees of severity and were hospitalized.
As a result of the incident, 29 people were injured, including students from Pakistan and India. Islamabad urgently sent a special flight to evacuate 180 students.
Despite the restoration of order, law enforcement agencies remained on high alert for several days. The situation stabilized. Ordinary residents of Bishkek visited the dormitories and hostels with foreign students and provided them with humanitarian aid.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 22, 2024