ISLAMABAD/PARIS – The French embassy in Pakistan Thursday urged all itscitizens and companies to leave Pakistan temporarily as violent protestsparalysed parts of the country.

In an email sent to all French citizens, the embassy stated ‘Due to theserious threats to the French interests in Pakistan, French nationals andFrench companies are advised to temporarily leave the country.

The departures will be carried out by existing commercial airlines, itfurther added.

Thousands of TLP activists clashed with law enforcement agencies earlierthis week in a demonstration against the arrest of TLP leader Saad Rizvi.Rizvi had also threatened countrywide protests unless Pakistan expelled theFrench ambassador.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran Khan and the federal cabinet approvedthe summary proposed by the interior ministry seeking a ban on theTehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan under the anti-terrorism law.

The PTI government approved the blacklisting of the politico-religiousparty for killing two policemen, attacking law enforcement personnel anddisrupting public life through countrywide protests.