Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday (July 30, 2026) asked Pakistan “to adopt a more humane approach and to choose dialogue over force” in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which reported around 30 deaths this week in clashes during street protests.

“The visuals emerging from across the LoC in the other part of Kashmir are deeply heartbreaking. It is painful to see peaceful protesters being met with brute force. The Government of Pakistan must adopt a more humane approach and choose dialogue over force,” said Ms. Mufti, in a post on X.

The PDP president said reports from PoK were suggesting that the “protesters’ demands are genuine and deserve to be heard”. “No nation grows stronger by disempowering its own people or by silencing them at gunpoint. The government must end the crackdown and stop spraying bullets at peaceful protesters. Kashmiris deserve dignity, justice, and the right to be heard, not repression,” said Ms. Mufti.

There is growing concern among political parties in J&K over the situation in PoK. The National Conference, the CPI(M) and the BJP have condemned the killing of civilians by the Pakistani security forces in PoK.

Published - July 30, 2026 03:57 pm IST