ISLAMABAD: The government has agreed to talks with traders’ leaders to address their demand to expel the French ambassador from Pakistan.

Traders and a number of religious groups protested in the capital on Friday against the publication of defamatory caricatures in France.

Security measures were in place at Khayaban-i-Suharwardy to intercept the protesters as they headed towards the Embassy of France, which is located in the Red Zone, where the protesters had declared they would protest.

Shipping containers were placed near Aabpara Chowk and Serena Chowk to intercept the protesters and police and paramilitary personnel were deployed there as well.

We have already agreed to boycott French goods, dumped products, says traders’ leader

The protesters broke through the first ring of security by removing the shipping containers and pushed the police contingent back from Aabpara Chowk.

The police retaliated by firing tear gas at the protesters when they reached Ataturk Avenue, which is adjacent to Serena Chowk. The protesters in turn threw rocks at the police and shouted slogans against the publication of the caricatures and demanded the expulsion of the French ambassador.

The police also firing into the air to keep the protesters away from the second ring of security.

Although the protesters were pushed back from Ataturk Avenue a couple of times only to return again and again. The situation continued for a few hours, and after sunset the protesters returned to Aabpara Chowk, where they held a sit-in.

Senior administration and police officials told Dawn on condition of anonymity that arrangements had been made to arrest the protesters, and prison vans were brought to the protest site in this regard. However, the administration opposed their arrest and action was not taken against them.

Differences emerged between the police and the administration over the protest, they said. The police have blamed the administration for the situation, arguing that the administration allowed the protest to go ahead, while the administration has said the police failed to maintain law and order.

There were no injuries reported during the protest, but dozens of protesters suffered breathing problems and sore eyes.

They had refused to disperse until the government expelled the French ambassador.

Traders union leader Ajmal Baloch told Dawn that the protesters had demanded the boycott of French goods and the expulsion of the ambassador. He said the traders union and traders have already agreed on the boycott, the products have been dumped.

Regarding their second demand, Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri met with the protesters and agreed to talk it over on Monday, Mr Baloch said, adding that the protesters dispersed based on this assurance.

He claimed that the protesters were peaceful and did not break a single item during the protest, while police fired tear gas at them.

Mr Baloch said the traders will meet with Mr Qadri, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan on Monday.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2020