Press Release
Kashmir Is Burning: The Brutal Crackdown on Innocent Civilians Exposes the Failure of the Nation-State and the Secular Capitalist System—Only the Khilafah Can Unify the Ummah Upon the Islamic Aqeedah

On 27 July 2026, state forces—including the Rangers, FC, and Police—opened direct fire on unarmed Kashmiri protesters. These citizens had set out on a long march toward Muzaffarabad following the failure of negotiations after a 50-day sit-in at Rawalakot, resulting in dozens of protesters being killed. Instead of addressing the public protest through political means, the rulers adopted a “Hard State” policy, resorting to the disproportionate use of force. Alongside an internet shutdown, they deliberately imposed blockades on essential goods, fuel, and gas in an attempt to collectively punish the population. Furthermore, the state and media machinery enforced a complete blackout on the civilian deaths, while the government launched a media campaign against the Kashmiri protesters. These measures are creating a dangerous rift between the Muslims of Kashmir and the armed forces, which will further weaken the strength of the state.

This security and political crisis is, in reality, the outcome of an unnatural secular capitalist system. Nationalism based on regional identity, and an identity founded upon artificial state borders, are incapable of genuinely unifying diverse ethnic and regional groups. By collectively punishing the Muslims of Kashmir through blockades and bullets, the rulers have demonstrated that they have no concern for the people. This brutal crackdown is clear evidence of an intellectually bankrupt state and a failed system that is forcibly imposing its authority upon the people under the “Hard State” policy.
In this ongoing crisis, while public anger continues to intensify, it is essential to present to the Ummah the Shariah rulings of Islam and Islam’s alternative system.

1. Establishing identity on the basis of colonialist borders is a concept of kufr. Islam strictly prohibits every form of ‘Asabiyyah (nationalism or ethnic and tribal chauvinism), because it fragments the unity of the Islamic Ummah. Regional nationalism cannot be answered with territorial nationalism, because both are founded upon the same false basis, and both are prohibited in Islam. Our agenda should not be the nation-state but Islam, which abolishes artificial borders and unites all the believers under one banner. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

«مَنْ قَاتَلَ تَحْتَ رَايَةٍ عُمِّيَّةٍ يَغْضَبُ لِعَصَبِيَّةٍ أَوْ يَدْعُو إِلَى عَصَبِيَّةٍ أَوْ يَنْصُرُ عَصَبِيَّةً فَقُتِلَ فَقِتْلَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ»

“Whoever fights under a banner of blindness, becoming angry for 'Asabiyyah, calling to 'Asabiyyah, or supporting 'Asabiyyah, and is then killed, dies a death of Jahiliyyah.” [Sahih Muslim]. Allah (swt) states the basis of the unity of the believers in the Noble Quran,

[إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ] “Indeed, this Ummah of yours is one single Ummah, and I am your Lord, so worship Me alone.” [TMQ Surah Al-Anbiya: 92].

2. This crisis is not merely the result of the failure of a few politicians or military commanders; instead, it is the consequence of the inherent failure of the secular democratic system itself. From Balochistan to Punjab, this state is attempting to preserve an unnatural system of governance through extrajudicial measures in various regions—one that the Ummah has already rejected. The root cause of this oppression is democracy’s principle of vesting legislative sovereignty in human beings. This is why the political and military leadership seeks to gain control of legislative assemblies through electoral rigging and other tactics so that laws may be enacted according to their own desires. In Islam, sovereignty belongs exclusively to Allah (swt), and man-made legislation is prohibited. Democracy grants a corrupt elite the authority to legislate according to its whims and to legitimize corruption (فساد fasaad) under the cover of law. Therefore, the objective of our struggle should not merely be constitutional reforms or replacing individuals, but the complete abolition of the entire democratic capitalist system.

3. To bring an end to this corrupt system, the Ummah must establish its struggle according to the Seerah of the Messenger of Allah (saw), who established the first Islamic state in Madinah. Attempting reform from within the existing system or resorting to indiscriminate violence both only deepen despair and further strengthen the ruling elite. The Prophetic method for changing the system consists of clear intellectual and political stages: forming an organized structuring, cultivating public opinion through intellectual conflict and political struggle, and seeking military support (Nussrah) from the people of military power and protection. Most importantly, the Messenger of Allah (saw) never legitimized a corrupt system, nor did he instruct his Companions (ra) to take up arms against the ruling class.

4. Throughout the Muslim World, the rulers have failed to provide genuine leadership because they govern under secular laws while serving Western dominance. Islam makes it obligatory upon every Muslim to engage in active political struggle for the re-establishment of the Khilafah (Caliphate), which will unify the Ummah into one political entity and safeguard its interests. The Messenger of Allah (saw) described the role of the Khalifah as follows, «إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَيُتَّقَى بِهِ» “Indeed, the Imam (Khalifah) is a shield. Fighting is conducted from behind him, and protection is sought through him.” [Sahih Muslim]

A Message from Hizb ut Tahrir / Wilayah Pakistan to the Muslims of Kashmir, Pakistan, and the Entire Muslim Ummah:

To the aware individuals and influential personalities: Reject this artificial democratic capitalist system. Hold the corrupt rulers accountable, expose their “Hard State” agenda, and support Hizb ut Tahrir in its intellectual conflict and political struggle for the establishment of the Khilafah.

To the People of Military Power and Protection (Ahl Al-Quwwah wal Man’ah): Sincere officers within the armed forces must cease obeying rulers who use weapons against their own people. Fulfill your Shariah obligation and provide Nussrah (military support) to Hizb ut Tahrir for the re-establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate). Only the Khilafah can rescue the Ummah from the depths of division and humiliation, and reunite it once again under one state and one Khalifah.

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Pakistan