Atiya Mujeeb
Srinagar, July 15: Political leaders, National Conference workers, well-wishers and members of the public continued to visit the residence of late Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal in Srinagar on Wednesday to offer condolences and express solidarity with the bereaved family.
Dr. Kamal, a senior National Conference (NC) leader and former Cabinet Minister, passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness at the age of 86. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Srinagar.
The deceased was laid to rest at the Bominsar graveyard in Sonwar, where family members, political leaders and supporters gathered to pay their final respects.
Leaders from across the political spectrum have expressed grief over his demise, remembering him as a veteran politician who played a significant role in Jammu and Kashmir’s public life for more than four decades.
Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal: A Brief Profile
Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal (11 November 1939 – 14 July 2026) was a distinguished political leader, former Cabinet Minister, and medical practitioner from Jammu and Kashmir. A senior figure in the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), he dedicated more than four decades to public life and played a key role in the party’s organisational and political affairs.
Born on 11 November 1939 in Srinagar, Dr. Kamal belonged to the prominent Abdullah family. He was the son of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah, the younger brother of former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and the uncle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Before entering politics, he completed his MBBS and practised medicine, earning admiration for his commitment to serving the community.
He entered active politics with the National Conference in the early 1980s. In 1987, he was elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from the Gulmarg constituency and was appointed Minister of State for Public Works (Roads and Buildings).
Dr. Kamal returned to the Assembly after winning the 1996 election from Gulmarg and went on to serve as Health Minister in the National Conference-led government. He represented the constituency until 2002, when he successfully contested the Assembly election from Pattan. He later secured victory from the Hazratbal constituency in 2009, further expanding his political journey.
Despite his busy political career, Dr. Kamal never lost touch with his medical profession. He was widely appreciated for offering free healthcare services and providing medicines at no cost to economically weaker sections, particularly in the Tangmarg area.
Within the National Conference, he established himself as one of the party’s leading organisational figures. He later served as the Additional General Secretary of the party and continued to contribute to its activities and decision-making even after withdrawing from electoral politics.
Recognised for his steadfast commitment to the National Conference, Dr. Kamal was among its most outspoken leaders on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. He regularly represented the party’s views during major political developments and remained a familiar and influential presence in the region’s political discourse.
Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal passed away on 14 July 2026 at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness. His demise marked the conclusion of a long and distinguished career devoted to medicine, public service, and politics. He is remembered as a compassionate doctor, an experienced administrator, and one of the National Conference’s most respected senior leaders.
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