French Embassy asks its citizens to leave Pakistan after violent protests
News Desk:
The French embassy in Islamabad has asked its citizens to leave Pakistan on a temporary basis after violent protests by the outlawed Tahrik e Labaik Pakistan (TLP).
“Due to the serious threats to French interests in Pakistan, French nationals and French companies are advised to temporarily leave the country,” the embassy said in an email to French citizens.
“The departures will be carried out by existing commercial airlines.”
Anti-French sentiment has been simmering for months in Pakistan since the government of President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a magazine’s right to republish blasphemous caricatures depicting Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
The TLP Chief Sadiq Rizvi had demanded expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan. Police arrested him soon after making this demand.
Rizvi’s arrest caused countrywide protests.
