Pakistani police have clashed with crowds protesting over an image of the Prophet Muhammad published in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, reports the BBC. An  AFP photographer shot at is believed to be in a serious condition.

The authorities deployed water cannon to disperse the demonstration, near the French consulate in Karachi.

The protest was part of a nationwide rally called by the Jamaat-e-Islami religious party.

Charlie Hebdo featured a cartoon of Muhammad, a week after gunmen carried out a massacre at its offices.

On Thursday, Pakistani politicians passed a motion condemning Charlie Hebdo for publishing the cartoon.Several religious groups called for protests after Friday prayers.

In Karachi, at least three people were injured during clashes between the police and protesters, who were mostly student activists from Jamaat-e-Islami.