• The repression and arrests of the Kashmiri people protesting for their legitimate rights must be stopped immediately.
• The murderous attack on Umar Nazir Kashmiri and his comrades is an open act of state barbarism.
• The long-standing political and economic demands of the Kashmiri people must be accepted.
• Allegations that the People’s Rights Movement is part of a foreign conspiracy are baseless, malicious, and condemnable.
• All detainees must be released immediately.
• Legal action must be taken against Prime Minister Faisal Rathore and other rulers and state officials involved in acts of repression and violence.

A murderous attack was carried out on the night of 5 June 2026 against Umar Nazir (one of the core members of the central leadership of the ongoing People’s Rights Movement in Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir) and his companions. The attack was carried out by the state institutions of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir near Rawalakot. In this attack, local leader Shahzeb Habib lost his life, while Umar Nazir and four of his comrades were seriously injured.

This attack came after an open threat issued by the Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir, Faisal Rathore. Prior to this, acting at the behest of imperialist state institutions, the Awami Action Committee was declared illegal, and armed personnel from across Pakistan were deployed in Jammu Kashmir in an attempt to suppress the protest movement.

Raids are continuing from Muzaffarabad to Bhimber, and hundreds of activists have been arrested. The state and government repeatedly accepted the demands of this peaceful mass movement, yet instead of implementing them, they have now chosen the path of repression. In return for providing political cover to this imperialist barbarism, Prime Minister Faisal Rathore—who belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party (which claims that “democracy is our politics”)—has reportedly been assured that he will be allowed to remain in power for a few more months through unconstitutional and undemocratic means.

We strongly condemn this conduct of the state and demand that this campaign of repression and violence be halted immediately. Criminal cases for murder, attempted murder, and terrorism must be initiated against all rulers and state officials involved in these vindictive actions.

We demand the immediate resignation of Faisal Rathore as Prime Minister. The movement’s demands, including the abolition of the 12 seats allocated to Jammu Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan, must be accepted, and transparent measures must be taken for their prompt implementation. The state must seek to resolve this crisis through political dialogue and good faith rather than force and repression. Otherwise, full responsibility for any deterioration of the situation resulting from public anger will rest with the government and the state.

All detainees must be released, and the way must be paved for elections to a Constituent Assembly. This would make it possible to move towards the realization of the right of self-determination for the people of Jammu Kashmir and adjoining regions—a right that Pakistan itself at least formally recognizes at the international level. It would also enable the genuine and democratically elected representatives of the people to administer the region in accordance with their aspirations and wishes.

At this critical moment, we strongly condemn the baseless and poisonous propaganda being spread against the Kashmir People’s Rights Movement by official apologists and agents through corporate and social media. A handful of disruptive or provocative elements may exist within any mass movement; indeed, such elements are often deliberately inserted by the ruling class to discredit popular struggles. However, this movement, which has emerged with the support and participation of millions of students, workers, women, and other oppressed people across Pakistan-administered Kashmir, is neither a foreign conspiracy nor does it seek to promote hatred or prejudice against other nationalities of the region.

In this regard, we appeal to workers, oppressed people, revolutionaries, and overseas Kashmiris in Pakistan, South Asia, and throughout the world to support this movement and oppose state repression and violence. Depending on developments and circumstances, protests can also be organized outside Pakistani embassies around the world.

We do not regard the current leadership of the People’s Rights Movement as being beyond criticism or correction. The political and ideological weaknesses and confusions of a leadership can cause irreparable damage to mass movements. However, in our view, these internal contradictions and problems can under no circumstances serve as a justification for state repression.

This struggle—for demands ranging from affordable electricity to basic democratic rights and the right of self-determination—is not only the struggle of the people of Jammu Kashmir; it is also the struggle of workers and oppressed people throughout Pakistan. Its fundamental target is the neoliberal, imperialist capitalist system that relentlessly exploits billions of human beings across South Asia and around the world. The oppressed and exploited masses of the world can advance this struggle only through mutual solidarity and unity.

By all sincere aspirations and convictions, victory shall belong to the workers, the oppressed, and the exploited!

Issued by:
Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC)
Revolutionary Students Front (RSF)