ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday his government was “in the process” of appointing an ambassador to France, an issue that has outraged the country’s religious right and sparked violent protests in the past.
Thousands of activists from the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) religious political party clashed with security forces in Pakistan last year over a series of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) published in the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. The protesters demanded that Pakistan break all ties with France over the cartoons, considered blasphemous by Muslims, and recall the ambassador to Paris.
Following violent clashes in April, authorities designated the TLP a ‘terrorist’ movement and arrested its leader, Saad Rizvi.
In Octobers, TLP launched a new protest asking for Rizvi’s release and the expulsion of the French envoy. Several policemen were killed in clashes and protests were called off after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government struck a secret deal with the demonstrators. Neither side has disclosed details.
The South Asian nation currently has no ambassador in Paris.
In an interview with French daily newspaper Le Figaro, PM Khan said Pakistan was now planning to appoint its envoy to Paris.
“I think we are in the process of doing so,” he said, when asked about the appointment, adding that France was a “very important country” for Pakistan with regards to exports.
Following the Oct-Nov protests, Pakistan removed Saad Rizvi from its terrorism watchlist and later released him from detention. The government also freed 2,000 detained TLP members, lifted a ban on the group and agreed to let it contest elections.
In return, the TLP agreed to shun the politics of violence and withdraw a demand to have France’s ambassador expelled.
“Firstly, I mean Pakistan has half its exports, almost half of its exports into European countries,” PM said, explaining the importance of France. “France is one of the most important countries and a trading partner.”
PM Khan said the main interest of his government was to fix the economy and increasing the country’s exports was vital to achieve this.
“So, therefore, my main interest is the economy and because of that France is extremely important for us,” he said.
Asked how he intended to boost the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the Pakistani premier said there had hardly been any international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he would like to meet President Emmanuel Macron in the future and discuss the relationship in person.
Yousaf Raza Gilani was the last Pakistani prime minister to visit France in 2011.
Months after anti-France protests, Pakistani PM says ‘in process’ of appointing ambassador to Paris
https://arab.news/c4kcp
Months after anti-France protests, Pakistani PM says ‘in process’ of appointing ambassador to Paris
- Violent protests were held last year demanding cutting diplomatic ties with France over blasphemous caricatures
- PM says France “very important” for Pakistan, hopes to meet President Macron in future to discuss bilateral ties
Pakistan deputy PM speaks with Iranian FM as Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones
- Ishaq Dar expresses concern over evolving regional situation as both officials agree to remain in contact
- Pakistan earlier reminded Tehran of its mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia during diplomatic outreach
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia that were intercepted by the Kingdom’s air defenses.
The call comes as Islamabad remains in contact with both Tehran and Gulf states to prevent the widening Iran conflict from spilling further across the region, particularly after attempted strikes on Saudi territory, a sensitive development for Pakistan, which signed a mutual defense pact with the Kingdom last year.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Dar raised concerns about the evolving regional situation during the conversation.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the developments,” it added.
The ministry did not share details of the conversation, though it came amid fast-moving developments in the region, with Saudi Arabia saying its air defenses intercepted multiple missiles and drones early on Friday.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan was in contact with Iran to discourage attacks on Gulf countries and prevent misunderstandings.
“Such attacks should not be carried out from Iran’s side,” he told Geo TV.
Prior to that, the deputy prime minister told Pakistan’s Senate that Islamabad had engaged both Iran and Saudi Arabia at the outset of Iran’s retaliation in the region, reminding Tehran of its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and conveying assurances from Riyadh that Saudi territory would not be used against Iran.
Pakistan says its administration is striving to end the conflict, though the United States-Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered the war and led to its spillover, have only intensified.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday some countries had begun mediation efforts but insisted Tehran would defend its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on his Truth Social platform as the confrontation shows little sign of easing.
