Key point 1 of Pakistan coverage

Lecornu deems partial and localized curfews more suitable for now, with no general curfew in Paris, and does not rule out a state of emergency (Business Recorder).

Key point 2 of Pakistan coverage

On Saturday, over 2,000 arrests and more than 600 police officers injured, according to the Interior Minister; over half a million protesters (Geo News).

Key point 3 of Pakistan coverage

Nearly 3,000 businesses affected, according to the commerce federation, while the euro falls to 1.1225 dollars in Asia (Business Recorder).

France: after the riots, Sébastien Lecornu orders localised curfews - Pakistan Perspective

DOMINANT ANGLE

Islamabad is gauging the French crisis through the weakened power of Macron and Lecornu, who are under pressure to restore order six months ahead of the presidential election, at a quantifiable economic cost.

Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media

KEY POINTS

01
Lecornu deems partial and localized curfews more suitable for now, with no general curfew in Paris, and does not rule out a state of emergency (Business Recorder).
02
On Saturday, over 2,000 arrests and more than 600 police officers injured, according to the Interior Minister; over half a million protesters (Geo News).
03
Nearly 3,000 businesses affected, according to the commerce federation, while the euro falls to 1.1225 dollars in Asia (Business Recorder).

ANALYSIS

Islamabad, October 19, 2026. The Pakistani press, which largely relays AFP and Reuters dispatches, portrays France as a country where the government must restore order just a few months before the presidential election. Business Recorder reports that the central government has asked certain local authorities to impose curfews after a weekend of riots and looting born out of national protests against the government. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has not ruled out a state of emergency but considers partial and localized curfews to be more appropriate for now, without a general curfew in Paris. "My determination to restore order is absolute," he stated in a press conference. He accuses far-left groups of wanting to provoke serious trouble before the presidential election. Jean-Luc Mélenchon is asking him for proof and inviting him to apologize if he cannot provide it.

Geo News describes renewed clashes on Sunday at the Place de la République, after a Saturday that saw over 2,000 arrests, more than 600 police officers injured, and a town hall set on fire. More than half a million people marched, in a convergence of a month-long student movement and broader social discontent over the rising cost of living. The media outlet mentions a anger targeting Emmanuel Macron, whose decade in power is ending in 2027 amidst a weak economy and ballooning debt. Daily Times quotes a 78-year-old resident: "It's as if we had been at war," and reports around 1,500 damaged businesses, with losses of several hundred million euros according to the commerce federation. ARY News reports on the tear gas and stun grenades used on Sunday to disperse an unauthorized gathering.

The economic reading is strong: Business Recorder notes that the dollar is strengthening and the euro is weakening, with an analyst judging that the troubles are weighing mainly through French bonds. The commerce federation mentions nearly 3,000 affected stores and is calling for relief from social security contributions and taxes. The newspaper also reports on the looting of the official Olympique de Marseille store on the Canebière and the ban on gatherings decided in Marseille until 8 pm.