The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka recently cautioned Pakistani students in Bangladesh to exercise caution and avoid involvement in ongoing student protests, which have resulted in several deaths and numerous injuries over the past day. These protests, initiated in early July, have drawn tens of thousands of participants nationwide.

They are primarily against public sector job quotas, particularly a 30 percent quota reserved for family members of freedom fighters from Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence, amidst significant youth unemployment. Tensions escalated after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s independence leader, declined to meet protesters’ demands and referred to opponents of the quota as “razakar,” a term historically associated with collaborators of the Pakistani army during the 1971 war.

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has issued a statement advising Pakistani students to prioritize their safety by avoiding participation in protests. They specifically urged students residing on campuses to remain indoors in their hostel rooms.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar also contacted the Pakistani High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Ambassador Syed Maruf, to inquire about the well-being of Pakistanis in the country. Ambassador Maruf briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on the security situation and measures taken by the High Commission to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals.

Additionally, the embassy has set up a helpline to assist individuals in distress. The protests, sparked by opposition to public sector job quotas, escalated into violence this week, resulting in clashes between anti-quota demonstrators and members of the ruling Awami League’s student wing. Police reported six fatalities, including three students, from Tuesday’s clashes.

The ongoing protests mark the first major challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government since her re-election to a fourth consecutive term in January. The election saw boycotts from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).