KARACHI, Pakistan: At least three persons including a policeman and a journalist injured when clash erupted between police and activists of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) in Karachi on Friday.
The sources said that the IJT activists were holding a protest against the publication of blasphemous caricature of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by a French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
Up to 400 protesters gathered at Teen Talwar in Karachi and marched towards the French Consulate but they reached near the French Consulate building, police resorted to aerial firing, tear gas and water cannons to push back the charged mob.
Subsequently, an exchange of fire between the two sides took place that left at least three persons including a policeman and a Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer Asif Hasan sustained injuries.
The injured persons were shifted to the Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over injury caused to the APF journalist during protest in Karachi. He prayed for his early recovery and asked authorities concerned to ensure best medical treatment to him.
On the other hand, Rangers personnel also reached the scene of clashes near the French Consulate.
The negotiations also went underway between protesters and police but the former said that they will not disperse without submitting memorandum in French Consulate.
The incident comes a days after the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution against blasphemous caricatures published in Charlie Hebdo.
The resolution strongly condemned the printing to blasphemous caricature of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and urged the European Union to take action to stop publishing of such ridiculous material.
On January 7, at least 12 persons including two policemen were killed while 10 wounded when two unknown gunmen attacked the Paris headquarters of the Charlie Hebdo, which has repeatedly provoked Muslim anger by publishing cartoons mocking Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
However, the French satirical magazine once again published a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the cover of its new edition. It was reported that millions of copies of the new edition of the magazine were sold on Wednesday.
The Muslims across the world consider depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as blasphemous.
