According to him, three policemen were killed and more than 70 were injured.

The condition should be critical for eight of the injured.

TLP in turn accuses the police of having shot into the crowd.

Four party supporters are said to have been killed.

The police do not want to comment on the data of killed protesters.

The TLP's protests began last week and supporters are moving towards the capital Islamabad.

The aim is to put pressure on the government to release the imprisoned party leader Saad Rizvi and to expel the French ambassador.

Saad Rizvi was arrested last year in connection with protests against the publication of Muhammad cartoons in French Charlie Hebdo.