The United States Commission on Religious Freedom has warned of a potential danger of retribution against Christians and Jews in several countries, particularly in Pakistan, as a result of war against Iraq.

The Commission, which advises the US Congress and the government, in a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, urged the administration to remind foreign governments of their responsibility to protect the lives of minority religious community members.

It expressed concern that extremists tried to portray the Iraq war as part of an alleged US attack on Islam, and that retribution will be sought against Christians, Jews and others throughout the Islamic World, as well as in the West, who are perceived as having some affiliation or affinity with the US or its allies.

The danger, said the Commission, could be particularly acute in Pakistan where leaders of Islamic coalition, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, have made threats to consider any attack as one "on the whole Muslim world."

Though Pakistan has worked closely with US in the war on terror in Afghanistan, there have been repeated attacks against Christian churches, schools, and charitable and medical institutions in the country, it said.