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Pakistan Clashes Over Charlie Hebdo Cartoon


 Asif Hassan (L), a photographer of French news agency Agence France-Press (AFP), shot during a protest against satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, is helped by a fellow photographer in Karachi on January 16.
Asif Hassan (L), a photographer of French news agency Agence France-Press (AFP), shot during a protest against satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, is helped by a fellow photographer in Karachi on January 16.

Pakistani police have clashed with protesters condemning the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

In the southern port city of Karachi, police used batons, water cannon, and tear-gas shells on January 16 to disperse about 200 protesters, most of them students affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami religious party.

At least three people were injured in the violence near France's consulate, including a photographer with the French news agency AFP.

Protests were held in other cities including Islamabad and Lahore.

The cover of Charlie Hebdo's latest issue features Muhammad shedding a tear and holding a sign reading "Je suis Charlie."

The slogan has been used by media outlets and millions of people worldwide to show solidarity with the 12 victims of an attack by Islamist militants on the weekly's offices last week and declare their support for freedom of speech.

In a resolution unanimously adopted on January 15, Pakistan’s lower parliament house condemned the cartoon and urged the international community "to make sure such things are not repeated."

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
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