LAHORE, May 20: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan former chairperson Asma Jahangir has taken strong exception to the threats and intimidation against writer Ardeshir Cowasjee by what she called self-styled mullahs and said it should be openly denounced by all those who support the freedom of expression.

In a statement issued here on Monday, Ms Jahangir described Mr Cowasjee as a bold journalist and said the protection of the rights of religious minorities was not a religious but a human rights issue which affected every Pakistani.

She said: “We cannot allow a handful of religious bigots persecute and intimidate non-Muslim Pakistani citizens. The country had suffered and continued to do so because of the hatred preached by the Mullahs and the violence advocated by them.”

Ms Jahangir said the government should take notice of the open threats made to Mr Ardisher Cowasjee and others belonging to religious minorities. She, however, stated that the government only moved with speed when pressurized by foreign powers but did not perform its basic function of protecting its own citizens from extremist elements in Pakistan.