As Imran Khan battles fallout, a look at how France blasphemy row backfired in Pakistan
As Imran Khan battles fallout, a look at how France blasphemy row backfired in Pakistan
For the past week, riots have again engulfed Pakistan, with police officers killed and taken hostage, and the French embassy taking the urgent step of advising its citizens to leave the country. Imran Khan is now scrambling to keep order.
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Imran Khan s gamble seems to have backfired spectacularly. (AP Photo)
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had hoped a fight over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed would result in an easy win placating the ultra-conservative quarters at home while being hailed as a defender of Islam abroad.
Synopsis
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Tuesday a resolution on the diplomat would be presented to the National Assembly the lower house of parliament which next meets on Thursday and that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had agreed to call off its protest sit-ins from the entire country .
AP
Supporters of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protesting the arrest of their leader.
Pakistan s government will ask parliament to decide the fate of the French ambassador, apparently appeasing a radical Islamist party which had threatened more protests unless the envoy was expelled.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Tuesday a resolution on the diplomat would be presented to the National Assembly the lower house of parliament which next meets on Thursday and that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had agreed to call off its protest sit-ins from the entire country .
Pakistan s parliament to decide fate of French ambassador after protests
Issued on:
20/04/2021 - 06:52 A radical Islamist party has waged an anti-France campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed - AFP 3 min
Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP)
Pakistan s government will ask parliament to decide the fate of the French ambassador, apparently appeasing a radical Islamist party which had threatened more protests unless the envoy was expelled.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Tuesday a resolution on the diplomat would be presented to the National Assembly the lower house of parliament which next meets on Thursday and that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had agreed to call off its protest sit-ins from the entire country .
Pakistan s parliament has postponed until Friday a debate on whether the country should expel the French ambassador, as the government bids to appease a radical party that has threatened more violent protests unless the envoy is kicked out.
The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has waged an anti-France campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday said the government had held negotiations with TLP leaders, who agreed to call off the protests after learning a resolution would be discussed in parliament on the future of the French envoy.