The matter of expulsion of French envoy from Pakistan over blasphemy issue as demanded by proscribed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) resulted in a feud but a journalist drew a sketch about the move’s economic price.
After the issue of blasphemous caricatures in France, outlawed TLP had persistently demanded the government to throw out the French ambassador.
Carrying the demand, the religious party staged a sit-in in Islamabad last year in November which concluded on an agreement with the government.
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The deadline for banishing the European envoy was set latest by April 20, 2020.
However, violent protests broke out in Pakistan after TLP Chief Saad Rizvi was arrested from Lahore on April 13 over unspecifed reasons.
Journalist Omar Quraishi shed light on economic and defense aspects probably due to which the government was reluctant to fulfill TLP’s demand and mar its ties with France.
In a tweetstorm, he explained what cutting off or spoiling diplomatic ties with the European country could cause Pakistan heavily.
Politcal and economical ties
Pakistan is currenlty under FATF’s watchlist.
The Financial Action Task Force (on Money Laundering) (FATF), also known by its French name, Groupe d’action financière (GAFI) is based in Paris, France
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 20, 2021
The country recevied $6 billion bailout package from International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Voting power on the IMF Board: In descending order
US
Japan
China
Germany
France
UK— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 20, 2021
Over 185 French companies are members of the Pakistan-France Business Alliance.
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 20, 2021
The deferment of loans helped Pakistan’s economy to lift once again amid pandemic.
The Paris Club of creditor nations have agreed to suspend debt service payments from Pakistan, as part of a G20 debt relief deal, the group said
Pakistan needs to repay Paris Club creditors $787 million next year, with Japan and France owed the most
Reuters – June 10, 2020
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 20, 2021
French Development Agency commitments in Pakistan
Karachi Bus Rapid Transit: a €90M sovereign loan
(co-financed with ADB and AIIB)Lahore sanitation: sovereign loan of €130M
Reform of water sector governance in Punjab: €0.5M of FEXTE funding
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 20, 2021
Strategic ties
France’s defence cooperation with Pakistan focuses on elite military training, exchange and transfer of expertise in areas linked to counter-insurgency, and French-language teaching in the military sphere
Via French Foreign Ministry website
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 20, 2021
Besides this, the number of active Mirage III and Mirage 5 fighter jets are 56 and 69 respectively. The aircrafts purchased from France are considered an important aerial weapon for Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after JF-17 and F-16 jets.