French citizens advised to leave Pakistan as protests worsen

Pakistani government bans religious leader as row over satirical cartoons simmers

French nationals and companies in Pakistan have been advised by their embassy to leave temporarily after violent anti-France protests brought large parts of the country to a standstill.

Anti-French sentiment has been simmering for months in Pakistan since Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a satirical magazine's right to republish cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad, deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.