NEW YORK: The Human Rights Watch urged Pakistani government to investigate allegations that elements in the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies have plotted to kill prominent lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir, Wednesday.

Asma Jahangir is globally recognized for her human rights work and is one of Pakistan's most respected rights activists, the New York -based Human Rights Watch said in a news release on Tuesday.

"Pakistani authorities should urgently and thoroughly investigate the alleged plot against Asma Jahangir and hold all those responsible to account, regardless of position or rank, Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

"A threat against (Ms) Jahangir is a threat to all those in Pakistan who struggle for human rights and the rule of law".

Ms. Jahangir told Pakistani media on Monday that she had discovered through a security leak brought to her attention by a highly credible source. She said that she believed it was best to go public with the information because she feared that she might be killed and a member of her family framed for the murder.

Governments that have lauded (Ms.)Jahangir's human rights advocacy both in Pakistan and internationally should be alarmed by this alleged plot and press for a prompt and persistent investigation, Hasan said.

Meanwhile, when a Pakistani journalist brought the matter to the attention of UN spokesman Martin Nesirky at the regular noon briefing, he noted the UN's concerns over such threats, particularly against a human rights defender.

Jahangir, who is also a leading lawyer and campaigner for democracy, told media about the threats to her life late on Monday. She said a credible source had informed her about a "murderous attack" planned on her by state agencies , following which she had restricted her movements and decided to remain at home.

She contended that the plan to kill her had been hatched at the "highest level" of state agencies, which were apparently angered by her efforts to highlight human rights violation by security forces in the restive province of Balochistan.

Jahangir also provided details of what she said were steps taken against her by agencies . She alleged when a group of lawyers recently tried to book a venue for a meeting in which she was to participate, they were barred from doing so.