Photos: Pakistan backlash grows over Charlie Hebdo cartoons

Thousands of protesters rallied in anti-France demonstrations across Pakistan on Friday as anger swelled over a French magazine's decision to republish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). | Above: Supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan carry placards and shout slogans during the protest in Rawalpindi.

Earlier this week satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo - the target of a massacre by gunmen in 2015 - reprinted the controversial images to mark the beginning of the trial of the alleged accomplices in the attack. | Above: Protesters chant slogans against Charlie Hebdo in Karachi.

The publication's move sparked condemnation from Pakistan's foreign ministry along with calls from Islamists to hold protests following Friday prayers, spurring thousands to mass in cities where they called for boycotts and the French ambassador's expulsion. | Above: Supporters of a religious group 'Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan chant slogans during a rally in Lahore.

"We need to send a strong message to the French that this disrespect to our beloved prophet will not be tolerated," protester Muhammad Ansari said during a demonstration in the eastern city of Lahore. | Above: Activists of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan walk on a French national flag during a protest in Lahore.

Friday's demonstrations were largely led by the hardline party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, which has organised huge and often violent protests over alleged blasphemy in the past.

Pakistan's government also condemned the reprinting of the cartoons. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the South Asian country believed in freedom of expression but such liberty does not mean a license to offend religious sentiment.

Policemen stop supporters of hardline party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan along a road during a protest, in Rawalpindi

Supporters of a religious group 'Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan chant slogans during a rally in Karachi

Supporters of religious and political party Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) wave as they chant slogans against the satirical French weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo, during a protest in Karachi

Supporters of a religious group 'Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan chant slogans during a rally in Karachi

Supporters of hardline Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan carry placards and shout slogans during a protest in Rawalpindi

Supporters of a religious group 'Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan participate in a rally to condemn the French weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo, in Lahore

Supporters of a religious group 'Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan stand over the representation of the French flag during a rally, in Lahore

Activists of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan march during a protest in Lahore

Supporters of a religious group 'Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan chant slogans during a rally in Lahore