Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urges dialogue over PoK unrest, mourns lives lost
Synopsis
From the pulpit of Srinagar's Jama Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq broke his silence on the PoK unrest — mourning dozens killed in Rawalakot, demanding a transparent probe, and warning that any Kashmiri movement loses its moral authority if it sidelines three million displaced Kashmiris in Pakistan. His call for dialogue cuts across both governments.
Key Takeaways
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid, Srinagar on 31 July , expressing deep concern over PoK unrest .
He said reports indicate dozens killed over the past month and a half, with some accounts placing the toll even higher, particularly in Rawalakot .
He called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the loss of lives.
The Mirwaiz appealed to the Government of Pakistan and the local LoC administration to engage sincerely with the JAAC and all sections of people.
He warned against excluding the voting and constitutional rights of nearly three million Kashmiri refugees and migrants living across Pakistan's provinces.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, senior religious leader and chief cleric of Kashmir, on Friday, 31 July voiced deep anguish over the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling on both governments to pursue dialogue and uphold the rights and dignity of all Kashmiri people. He was addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar.
Concern Over Loss of Lives
The Mirwaiz said that 'reports indicate that dozens of people have been killed, while some accounts place the cumulative toll even higher' over the past month and a half of unrest — particularly in Rawalakot. He called for 'a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation' to establish the full truth, adding that every life lost — 'whether that of a civilian protester or a member of the police force' — deserved mourning and accountability.
Notably, the reference to Rawalakot situates the concern squarely in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has led prolonged agitation over governance and economic grievances. The Mirwaiz's public acknowledgement of the toll from the Jama Masjid pulpit carries significant moral weight in the Valley.
Appeal to Governments on Both Sides
Addressing both Islamabad and the local administration across the Line of Control (LoC), the Mirwaiz appealed for sincere engagement with the JAAC and all sections of the people. '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 said.
He stressed that while governments on both sides of the LoC claim to act in Kashmiri interests, 'the people themselves must remain at the centre of every decision affecting their future.' He described Kashmiris as 'one people, bound together by history, family, culture and our common State Subject identity,' whether residing in Srinagar, Muzaffarabad, Birmingham, or elsewhere in the diaspora.
Rights of Kashmiri Refugees and Migrants
In a pointed remark, the Mirwaiz cautioned that any genuine people's movement must remain inclusive. He specifically flagged the constitutional and voting rights of 'nearly three million Kashmiri refugees and migrants living across the provinces of Pakistan,' arguing these must not 'become a matter of political bargaining or exclusion.' He called on all parties to find 'a fair and mutually acceptable middle ground' on this issue.
This comes amid longstanding tensions within PoK's political landscape over the representation and rights of displaced Kashmiri communities — a fault line that critics argue has been exploited by competing political actors on both sides of the LoC.
The Broader Message
Reiterating that the Kashmiri struggle has always been one 'for justice, dignity, human rights and the political rights of the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir across regions and ethnicities, including minorities,' the Mirwaiz said the movement could only retain its moral strength by embracing every Kashmiri without distinction. He closed with a prayer that 'wisdom prevails over confrontation, dialogue over violence, and inclusiveness over division.'
The address signals a continued effort by the Mirwaiz to position himself as a voice for pan-Kashmiri reconciliation, at a moment when cross-LoC tensions and internal PoK unrest are drawing renewed international attention.
Point of View
And warns the JAAC movement against internal exclusion without naming factions. The emphasis on three million displaced Kashmiris' voting rights is the sharpest edge of the address: it signals that any political settlement that trades away that constituency for short-term gains will face religious and moral opposition from Srinagar. Mainstream coverage tends to frame such statements as symbolic; the more significant question is whether the Mirwaiz's voice can actually shift the JAAC's calculus — or whether, as in past cycles, the sermon resonates in the Valley while the crisis across the LoC follows its own trajectory.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mirwaiz Umar Farooq say about the PoK unrest?
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed deep anguish over the continuing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, stating that reports indicate dozens of people have been killed over the past month and a half, with some accounts placing the toll even higher. He called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation and urged dialogue between the governments on both sides of the Line of Control.
Where and when did Mirwaiz make this statement?
He made the statement while addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on 31 July. The Jama Masjid pulpit is one of the most significant religious platforms in the Kashmir Valley.
What is the JAAC and why did Mirwaiz mention it?
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is a civil society and political grouping in Azad Jammu and Kashmir that has led prolonged protests over governance and economic grievances. The Mirwaiz appealed to the Pakistani government and local LoC administration to engage sincerely with the JAAC and all sections of the people, calling this essential for durable peace.
Why did Mirwaiz raise the issue of Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan?
The Mirwaiz cautioned that any genuine people's movement must be inclusive and cannot advance the rights of one section while diminishing those of another. He specifically said the voting rights and constitutional status of nearly three million Kashmiri refugees and migrants living across Pakistan's provinces must not become a matter of political bargaining or exclusion.
What broader message did Mirwaiz convey about Kashmiri identity?
He described Kashmiris as one people bound by history, family, culture, and a common State Subject identity — whether living in Srinagar, Muzaffarabad, Birmingham, or elsewhere. He said the Line of Control has divided territory but not families, shared history, or collective destiny, and called for prayer for peace, reconciliation, and unity.
