The French embassy in Pakistan has advised French citizens to leave the country because of the “serious threats” they face, as protesters clashed with police the day before, the AFP news agency reported on Thursday.
The advice of the French embassy in Pakistan comes amid violent protests by a religious party.
“Due to the serious threat to French interests in Pakistan, French citizens and French companies are advised to leave the country temporarily,” the French mission’s e-mail said.
“Departures will be made by existing commercial airlines.”
Three days of protests and clashes have led to chaos and the deaths of three people, including two police officers, according to a detailed report by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Protests were organized in various cities across the country, and sit-ins also took place in many parts of the country, causing massive traffic jams and public concern.
It is worth mentioning that the party behind the protests demanded the expulsion of the French ambassador, ratification of the anti-blasphemy bill and a ban on French goods.
The demands were in response to blasphemous sketches published in France, which provoked protests throughout the Muslim world.
The Pakistani government agreed to discuss the demands in parliament and seek its approval, but the party in question tried to force the state to comply.
The religious-political party now faces imminent blacklisting as a terrorist organization after violent protests led by its employees, crowds damaged public and private property, harassed citizens and attacked police, sometimes fatally.