In India on a UN Mission tour to study the freedom of religion or belief and the magnitude of its infringement here, she intends to start a movement to press for the annulment of capital punishment as soon as the new government assumes power in Pakistan.

“More than 7,500 Pakistanis and a large number of Indians languishing in jails face the gallows at the moment,” she said. “A number of countries have abolished capital punishment, and India and Pakistan too should follow the suit,” she said. Besides this, she also wants to fight for the release of fishermen, who stray into neighbouring territories, and prisoners, who have been languishing in prisons on both the sides.

Starting her UN Mission tour in India from the Holy City, where she interacted with Sikh religious leaders and people from different faiths, Jahangir also visited Tarn Taran. She would be visiting Delhi, Jammu, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kerala, Orissa and other states in India.

Talking about violations of freedom of religion or belief, Jahangir said these exist in almost all the countries, including Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, France, UK, Israel, Maldives, Angola and Nigeria, that she has visited so far. “The issue needs sincere, fair and careful handling as it involves emotions,” Jahangir said, adding, “My aim is to assist the governments of these and other countries to tackle the issue effectively.”

Meanwhile, Jahangir, during her visit to the Golden Temple, interacted with SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, who urged her to take up the turban issue with the government of France and other issues related to the rights of Sikhs.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the Punjab Human Rights Organisation too urged her to put pressure on the Indian government to ensure that Sikhs and Kashmiris were not discriminated against in any way.