Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Maulana Umar Farooq on Wednesday, 15 July expressed profound grief over the deaths of civilians and police personnel amid continuing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), particularly in Rawalakot and Poonch, urging both the Government of Pakistan and local authorities to prioritise dialogue over confrontation. His appeal came as the PoK unrest entered its 37th consecutive day.

What the Mirwaiz Said

In a post on X, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was 'Deeply saddened and pained by reports of loss of life of civilians and police personnel in the continuing unrest on the other side of the LOC, especially in Rawalakot and Poonch.' He added that his 'thoughts and prayers' were with bereaved families and all those affected by 'these tragic events.'

The Mirwaiz also flagged his concern over 'ongoing discussions regarding representation and the constitutional and political status of the large number of Kashmiri State Subjects residing in Pakistan,' stressing that 'questions touching upon identity, representation and political rights require sensitivity, dialogue and broad public confidence.'

Historical Ties and Shared Grief

Invoking longstanding family and community bonds across the Line of Control (LoC), the Mirwaiz noted that his family has 'historical associations with the social, educational, religious and political development of communities across Jammu and Kashmir, including those on the other side of the LOC.' He underscored that 'happenings in one part of Jammu and Kashmir are deeply felt in another, and among our diaspora communities around the world.'

This cross-LoC empathy reflects a recurring dynamic: upheaval in PoK consistently generates political and emotional reverberations in the Kashmir Valley, given shared cultural, linguistic, and familial networks that predate the 1947 partition of the region.

Call for Restraint and Resolution

The Mirwaiz directly appealed to the Pakistan government and local administration, urging them to resolve differences 'through consultation and accommodation rather than confrontation, with respect for human rights and the sanctity of human life remaining paramount.' He also called on protesting parties to 'exercise wisdom and responsibility,' adding, 'Both need to work towards restoring peace and public confidence at the earliest.'

Ground Situation in PoK

The unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir reached its 37th consecutive day on Wednesday. On Tuesday, thousands gathered in Rawalakot, where Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leader Sardar Amman Khan accused Pakistan of 'forcibly occupying' the region and rejected Islamabad's long-standing narrative. Khan declared, 'This is not a disputed territory. It is an occupied territory. It is forcibly occupied' — a framing that directly challenges Pakistan's official position on PoK's status.

The JAAC's sustained mobilisation and its increasingly assertive language on sovereignty mark a notable escalation in the public discourse within PoK, drawing attention from religious and political voices on the Indian side of the LoC.

What Comes Next

With no signs of de-escalation, observers will watch whether Pakistan's federal government engages the JAAC's demands or opts for further security measures. The Mirwaiz's appeal for dialogue may carry symbolic weight given his stature, but tangible outcomes will depend on Islamabad's response to the protest movement now in its sixth week.