ISLAMABAD: Federal interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told a news conference on Tuesday the government was willing to accept all the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party’s demands but it was not in a position to shut down the French embassy or expel its ambassador.
Thousands of workers and supporters of the banned TLP religious faction decided to march on Islamabad on Friday, seeking the release of their top leader, Saad Rizvi, and demanding the expulsion of the French envoy to Pakistan over the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) published in France last year.
The government formed a committee to negotiate with the group and pacify the situation while asking the TLP leaders to review their demand regarding the expulsion of the European envoy.
“The top issue of the TLP leadership is the closure of the French embassy and expulsion of the French ambassador,” Ahmed said while addressing the news conference, adding: “Pakistani security forces, its institutions and democratic government are on the same page and they have decided that all [of the TLP] demands are legitimate except for the one that relates to the French diplomatic mission.”
He said fulfilling the TLP demand could create significant problems for Pakistan that is already facing tough economic circumstances.
The minister urged Saad Rizvi and the consultative body of his religious faction to deliberate over the issue more carefully.
“We want them to review their demand,” he said.
Ahmed informed that Pakistan was also planning a conference of the foreign ministers of various Muslim countries, adding that the government did not want any unpleasant circumstances to emerge right ahead of that event.
Founded in 2015, the TLP religious group has made the sanctity of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) central to its politics.
Its leadership has also opposed any amendments to the country’s blasphemy laws and tried to put the government under pressure to adopt a more aggressive posture toward France after the repeated publication of the anti-Islam caricatures.
Pakistan refuses to expel French ambassador, asks banned religious group to review its demand
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Pakistan refuses to expel French ambassador, asks banned religious group to review its demand
- Interior minister says military and civilian institutions agree expelling French envoy would create economic problems for Pakistan
- Urges TLP leader Saad Rizvi and the consultative body of his religious party to review their demand "more carefully"
Pakistan defense minister reiterates Israel recognition ‘not on the cards’
- Pakistan maintains a firm policy of not recognizing Israel, frequently criticizes it for rights violations in Middle East
- Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accuses India of fueling “proxy war” in Pakistan via Afghanistan, militant outfits
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of Islamabad establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, saying such a move may be considered in the future if Palestinians secure an independent homeland for themselves.
Pakistan does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and maintains a firm policy of non-recognition, rooted in its support for an independent Palestinian state in the Middle East with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
When asked during an interview with France 24 whether Pakistan will “normalize” relations with Israel similar to some other Muslim states, Asif answered:
“I don’t see this option even being considered by Pakistan.”
The defense minister said Pakistan could “maybe” consider establishing ties with Israel in the future once Palestinians have the right of self-determination in the Middle East and their own homeland.
“So this [recognition] is something, you know, it’s not on the cards at all,” he said.
https://x.com/PakinGermany_/status/2024058118749995138
‘PROXY WAR’
Asif accused India of waging a “proxy war” against Pakistan via militant attacks, saying that New Delhi and Kabul, as well as militant outfits, “are on the same page.”
The Pakistani defense minister said Islamabad and New Delhi are not in direct or indirect contact with each other since India and Pakistan’s May 2025 armed conflict.
He said some “friendly countries” had tried to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid increasing tensions.
“But these attempts did not really produce any results,” Asif said.
The remarks come after Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi alleged that India was behind last month’s coordinated attacks in the southwestern Balochistan province, which the military says killed 18 civilians and 15 troops.
Pakistan has frequently blamed India for supporting militant attacks in the restive Balochistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, allegations that New Delhi has repeatedly denied.
