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Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have 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 on Tuesday.
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.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also held a meeting with a group of Pakistani medical students at Bishkek Airport.
He listened to their concerns about the recent events of violence in Bishkek.
Ishaq Dar apprised them of his discussion with the Kyrgyz leadership on their safety and the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis.
Source: Radio Pakistan