Pakistani police clash with Charlie Hebdo protesters at French consulate
Pakistani police have clashed with anti-Charlie Hebdo protesters outside the French consulate in Karachi. An AFP photojournalist has been wounded and is in serious condition.
The protesters mostly belong to the local Jamaat-e-Islami student group, and they attempted to march to the French consulate in Karachi.
#Breaking: Clashes erupt between police and protesters near French Consulate #Karachipic.twitter.com/wwqV0C96Fy
— JAAG TV (@JaagAlerts) January 16, 2015
In response, police fired tear gas and used water cannons to crack down on the rally.
Police reports to shelling to disperse anti-Charlie Hebdo protesters in Karachi http://t.co/aFzfob85IJpic.twitter.com/yQafbIM2FS
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 16, 2015
A photojournalist was injured and taken to hospital, footage from local news agency SAMAA has shown.
"AFP photographer Asif Hasan suffered wounds resulting from gunshots fired by ... protesters,” Abdul Khalique Shaikh, a top police official in southern Karachi, told Reuters. ‘Police have not opened fire."
One person injured, being rushed off in a police mobile. Am told he's part of a media team. #Karachipic.twitter.com/69ES3yp7ph
— Ovais Jafar (@ovaisjafar) January 16, 2015
May Allah bless #AsifHassan, photojournalist #AFP Ameen pic.twitter.com/BqUBYZ6NuP
— sheena (@sheenasoomro) January 16, 2015
Protesters broke windows of a few cars, and threw stones at security forces, chanting slogans against Charlie Hebdo and calling for a ban on the magazine.
Pics: Water Canon targeting protesters near French Consulate #Karachipic.twitter.com/gwfuZhsmuZ
— JAAG TV (@JaagAlerts) January 16, 2015
Earlier, in Pakistan, dozens of lawmakers marched near the country’s parliament in Islamabad, calling for "death to blasphemers."
Protest against Charlie Hebdo turns violent in Karachi http://t.co/pWR6UkBZ3xpic.twitter.com/fEEeX7N0GB
— antizholim1 (@antizholim1) January 16, 2015
"All political parties are with us… All Muslim countries should condemn these blasphemous cartoons," Pakistani Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf said, NBC reported.
The new, “survivors” issue of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has caused anger from Muslim communities across the globe, with believers protesting all week.
More rallies are to happen after Friday prayers.
READ MORE: Muslims protest new Charlie Hebdo cartoons across the globe
