Pak parliament passes resolution, says ‘Charlie Hebdo’ cartoons a conspiracy to widen misunderstandings

It also said ridiculing of religion is "condemnable" and termed it against the freedom of speech.

A newspaper seller installs Charlie Hebdo newspapers to a shelf at a newsstand in Nice, southeastern France, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. In an emotional act of defiance, Charlie Hebdo resurrected its irreverent and often provocative newspaper Tuesday, featuring a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad on the cover that drew immediate criticism and threats of more violence. The black letters on the front page reads: "All is forgiven." (Source: AP)

A newspaper seller installs Charlie Hebdo newspapers to a shelf at a newsstand in Nice, southeastern France, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (Source: AP)

Pakistan parliament on Thursday adopted a unanimous resolution against blasphemous caricatures published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, saying it is a deliberate attempt to “widen misunderstandings among civilisations” and incite violence.

The resolution tabled in the National Assembly or the lower house said: “These cartoons are a conspiracy to widen misunderstandings among civilisations.”

It also said ridiculing of religion is “condemnable” and termed it against the freedom of speech.

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The resolution called upon the international community, particularly the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU) and the United Nations community to take action against publishing such material.

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique later led lawmakers outside parliament in protest, chanting slogans.

Dozens of parliamentarians, including women, participated in the march.

Two gunmen killed 12 people in an attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine that has often angered Muslims over offensive cartoons, in Paris.

Undeterred by the attack, the weekly yesterday carried another such cartoon on its cover.

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Some religious organisations have announced protests tomorrow against the magazine.

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