File photo: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged Pakistan to defuse mounting unrest in PoK through dialogue and consultation, expressing anguish over civilian and police deaths and calling for restraint from both authorities and protesters.“Deeply saddened and pained by reports of loss of life of civilians and police personnel in the continuing unrest on the other side of LoC especially in Rawalakot and Poonch,” Mirwaiz said Wednesday.At least 9 people were killed Tuesday in clashes between police and protesters in PoK, according to reports. Violence centres on a dispute over 12 seats in PoK legislative assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.Mirwaiz urged Islamabad to “prioritise dialogue, restraint and engagement” and resolve differences through “consultation and accommodation rather than confrontation”. He also voiced concern over debate surrounding representation and constitutional status of Kashmiris living in Pakistan. “Questions touching upon identity, representation and political rights require sensitivity, dialogue and broad public confidence,” he said.Protesters said reserved seats allow Pakistan-based political parties to wield influence over PoK’s 53-member assembly and want them scrapped. Protests gathered steam after a court ruled in June that seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. Elections are scheduled for July 27.