The French embassy in Pakistan asked all its citizens and companies to “temporarily” leave the country, citing “serious threats”, media reports say. The move came after an Islamist group staged violent protests across major cities in Pakistan demanding the expulsion of the French envoy, and a ban on imports from the country.

The embassy informed its nationals currently in Pakistan through emails. “Due to the serious threats to French interests in Pakistan, French nationals and French companies are advised to temporarily leave the country,” Dawn quoted the email sent from the embassy. 

“We can confirm that we have sent a precautionary note to all our citizens in Pakistan advising them to temporarily leave the country if possible due to the recent protests that have caused graver security threats and put its citizens at risk,” Veronique Wagner, the embassy press attache, confirmed to Dawn. The embassy has not been yet closed but working with limited staff. 

The violent protests, led by Tahreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), killed four people and injured thousands of people, including security personnel, in Pakistan. Sheikh Rashid, Pakistan’s interior minister, on Thursday, said the government was planning to ban the group. 

Since last year, the group has constantly been stoking anti-Franch sentiments in Pakistan after French President Emmanuel issued controversial comments on Islamic fundamentalism.