Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
As Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) remained on the edge following street protests, Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for “engagement and peaceful redressal” on Wednesday (June 10, 2026) and demanded an end to “arbitrary arrests and threat to life”. Ruling National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah also called for the return of peace in PoK.
“It is the responsibility of those in authority (in PoK) to listen, engage and peacefully resolve the matter, rather than allow it to escalate into violence, arbitrary arrests and loss of life,” said the Mirwaiz.
He was reacting to the reported deaths of around 11 people in street protests in PoK’s Rawalakot following the banning of a civil society amalgam, Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC).
Expressing concern over the civilian deaths, the Mirwaiz said, “The killing of more than a dozen protesting civilians and police personnel is extremely sad. When people take to the streets to express their concerns, it is a signal that they seek to be heard.”
The Mirwaiz said that the PoK government “should know better than to use force to handle public grievances and demands in this manner”.
Meanwhile, the JKJAAC, in a statement issued on X, “welcomed and deeply appreciated the heartfelt concern expressed by the Mirwaiz” over the loss of lives, violence, arrests, and “painful escalation” in PoK.
In Srinagar, ruling NC president Abdullah also called for a return of peace in PoK. “Kashmir under Pakistan is facing distressing times. We hope peace returns to PoK,” said Mr. Abdullah.
Published – June 11, 2026 02:22 am IST
