Pakistani nationals studying in Kyrgyzstan have been asked to stay home after mobs attacked foreigners, the foreign ministry said

Pakistan urged the thousands of its nationals studying or working in Kyrgyzstan to stay at home after mobs attacked foreigners in the capital on Friday evening over disputes with migrants, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

According to local media, the violence began last week after a clash between Kyrgyz and foreigners in Bishkek.

In a statement, the ministry said the Pakistani embassy in Bishkek was in contact with the Kyrgyz government to ensure the safety of its nationals following unrest in the city on Friday evening. Some of the injured Pakistani students were being treated at a local hospital in Bishkek, it said.

“The government of Pakistan takes the safety of its nationals around the world very seriously and will take all necessary measures to ensure their well-being,” the statement added.

On Saturday, Pakistan summoned a Kyrgyz diplomat to protest violence against its nationals.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed concern about the attacks on Pakistani students. In a statement, he said he would immediately send a senior Cabinet minister to Bishkek to oversee efforts to ensure the welfare of students injured in the attacks.

All possible assistance will be provided to those who want to return home from Bishkek, Sharif added.

Pakistani authorities say they cannot confirm whether any of their nationals died in the attacks.