Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 15

Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday urged Pakistan to resolve escalating unrest across the Line of Control (LoC) through dialogue rather than force after deadly clashes ahead of a planned protest march intensified political tensions in the region.

In a statement, the Mirwaiz expressed concern over the loss of civilian and police lives, particularly in Rawalakot and Poonch, and appealed to the Pakistani government and local authorities to engage with protesters instead of pursuing confrontation.

“Questions touching upon identity, representation and political rights require sensitivity, dialogue and broad public confidence,” he said.

The remarks marked a rare public appeal by the separatist leader on developments across the Line of Control, where protests over political representation, electricity tariffs and subsidies have escalated in recent weeks.

“Our history and our shared social, cultural and family ties across the Line of Control remind us that happenings in one part of Jammu and Kashmir are deeply felt in another,” Mirwaiz said, adding that the unrest also resonated among Kashmiri diaspora communities.

He called on the authorities to respect human rights while urging protest leaders to exercise restraint and work towards restoring peace and public confidence.

“I pray for lasting peace and stability for all people of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the LoC,” he said.

The appeal came as the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an alliance spearheading the agitation, called for a march to Muzaffarabad after an ultimatum issued to the Pakistani government expired.

Fresh clashes in Sudhnoti and Mathiyal Mera reportedly killed nine people, including a Pakistan Ranger, taking the death toll since June 5 to 28, according to local reports. The casualties include 23 civilians and five security personnel.

The JAAC is demanding the release of detained leaders, restoration of communication services, lower prices for essential commodities and electricity, and the abolition of a parliamentary quota reserved for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir settled in Pakistan, arguing that it distorts political representation in the territory.

India has linked the unrest to what it describes as Pakistan’s long-standing governance failures in the region.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said the protests reflected Pakistan’s “systemic exploitation and administrative oppression” in areas under its control and called on the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for alleged human rights violations.