PAK PARL PUSHES BACK DEBATE ON WHETHER FRENCH ENVOY SHOULD LEAVE

LAHORE: Pakistan’s parliament has postponed until Friday a debate on whether the country should expel the French ambassador, as the government bids to appease a radical party that has threatened more violent protests unless the envoy is kicked out.

The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has waged an antiFrance campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine to republish cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed - an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.

Interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday said the government held negotiations with TLP leaders, who agreed to call off the protests after learning a resolution would be discussed in parliament on the future of the French envoy.

TLP leaders confirmed they have called off further action, and thousands of supporters dispersed from a mosque where they had gathered in Lahore.

“After the promise the government made to us... I feel there is no need for any protest or sit-in... our main demand has been fulfilled,” said regional leader Muhammad Shafiq Ameeni.

At a special session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, the speaker pushed back a resolution by a ruling party member on the issue, saying it should be tabled collectively by the government and opposition, before adjourning until Friday.

Resolutions relating to sensitive issues are often passed unanimously in Pakistan’s parliament, but they are often nonbinding,