France tells citizens to leave Pakistan ‘due to serious threats’

Amid violent protests led by an anti-France far-right party, Paris calls on its citizens and French companies to leave temporarily.

Islamabad, Pakistan – The French embassy in Pakistan has advised all French nationals and companies to temporarily leave the country, after violent protests by a far-right party that has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of committing “blasphemy”. A French embassy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development to Al Jazeera on Thursday. “I confirm that, due to the situation in Pakistan, we have advised the French citizens and companies to leave the country temporarily,” the official said.