Why TLP is protesting against France

 FRENCH PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN

There are a small number of French people in Pakistan, consisting mostly of expatriates, employees, French spouses married to Pakistanis and French people of Pakistani descent who moved back into the country, along with Pakistani-born people of French ancestry. There are under 4000 French  expatriates in Pakistan.Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design PIFD's collaboration with international universities and institutions: L'Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, Paris,France

Timeline

In 2020 French President made some controversial remarks 2021 January - Saad Rizvi, leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) demanded that French ambassador to Pakistan be sent back.

The TLP has been demanding that the Pakistani government expel the French ambassador and endorse a boycott of French products due to Charlie Hebdo’s republishing of the Prophet Mohamed cartoons last year. Anti-French sentiment has been simmering for months in Pakistan since the government of President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for Charlie Hebdo’s right to republish the cartoons, deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.

WHY PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT IS NOT SENDING FRENCH AMBASSADOR BACK?

Economic relations – In 2017, bilateral trade between France and Pakistan stood at €1.4 billion, up +4.6% year-on-year. Some 32 French companies, mainly major groups, are represented in Pakistan, in key sectors of the Pakistani economy (energy, transport, public works and civil engineering, environment, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, non-banking services). Over 185 French companies are members of the Pakistan-France Business Alliance.