Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday, July 31, 2026, urged for a swift, unbiased, and thorough investigation into the recent wave of violence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). He appealed to Pakistan to engage meaningfully with the representatives of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society group that is currently spearheading a movement addressing various demands.
While addressing the congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz expressed his deep concern regarding the ongoing unrest and the tragic loss of lives along the Line of Control, especially in Rawalakot. He led special prayers for those who lost their lives in POK this week, stating, “We are deeply anguished by the continuing unrest and the tragic loss of precious lives during the past month and a half. The truth must be established through a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation. We mourn every life lost, whether that of a civilian protester or a member of the police force, and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured.”
In his statement, the Mirwaiz called on Pakistan to exercise restraint and urged both the Government of Pakistan and the local governments along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir to sincerely engage with the JAAC representatives as well as all sections of the population. He emphasized that “durable peace and stability can only be achieved through dialogue, constitutional fairness, and respect for the rights and dignity of every segment of society.”
He noted that recent incidents across the LoC, particularly in Rawalakot, highlight that while governments may administer regions and pursue competing political interests, it is the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are the true stakeholders of their homeland. In his call for inclusivity, he stated, “Any genuine people’s movement must itself remain inclusive. It cannot advance the rights of one section of the people while questioning or diminishing the constitutional rights of another.”
He further highlighted the rights of nearly three million Kashmiri refugees and migrants residing across Pakistan, stating that their rights should not be subjected to political bargaining or exclusion. “Their rights form an integral part of the collective rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and deserve equal respect and protection. Both sides should therefore strive to find a fair and mutually acceptable middle ground to tackle this significant issue,” he said.
The Mirwaiz reiterated that the struggle for justice, dignity, human rights, and political rights encompasses all people of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of their region or ethnicity, including minorities. This week alone, reports indicate that at least 30 individuals have been killed and dozens injured in POK, with locals alleging that security forces opened fire on participants of a march organized by the JAAC in Rawalakot.
