Sanaullah rejects claim of no serious effort to resolve AJK situation

ISLAMABAD, Jun 24 (APP):Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday rejected the impression that no serious effort was made to resolve the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) through dialogue and democratic means.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he said that whenever talks were held, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the government committee to engage stakeholders and present all development-related demands for approval.

He added that proposals linked to public welfare and regional development were regularly reviewed and approved.

He said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement on Kashmir carried importance in the context of Pakistan’s national interests. He added that the JUI-F chief had raised the issue with sincerity and national concern, and his input was valued by the government.

Rana Sanaullah said the government appreciated such contributions and valued Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s political experience and guidance on important national matters.

Briefing the House on the AJK situation, he said the banned Joint Action Committee had raised demands during last year’s unrest, including electricity tariff adjustments linked to the Mangla Dam agreement, wheat subsidies, and around 38 development-related requests such as roads, bridges, hospitals, and medical equipment.

He said a negotiation committee formed by the prime minister, including federal ministers and Pakistan People Party representatives, held detailed talks with stakeholders in Muzaffarabad. According to him, progress had been made on most demands, including steps on electricity pricing and wheat subsidies, while several development projects were also being implemented.

He said most of the 38 demands had already been addressed through government actions and policy adjustments.

On reserved seats for refugees in the AJK Legislative Assembly, he said it was a constitutional and legal matter that could not be resolved through protests or street pressure.

He added that the government had offered several options, including an all-parties conference, referral to constitutional forums, and postponement of protests, but these were rejected.

He said further discussions were held in Muzaffarabad, where each demand was reviewed in detail and progress was acknowledged on several points.

Rana Sanaullah said the All Parties Conference supported the view that Kashmiri refugees hold a constitutional and historical status due to their sacrifices.

He added that the matter had also been debated in the AJK Assembly and referred to constitutional forums, including a presidential reference to the Supreme Court, which supported resolution through the elected assembly.

Sanaullah said despite repeated dialogue offers, the Joint Action Committee opted for a long march, which he claimed aimed to influence the upcoming electoral process in AJK.

He added that the situation remained largely peaceful except for a few protest sites and questioned calls to delay elections.

On a separate note, he said discussions were ongoing with coalition partners, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, on strengthening local government under Article 140-A of the Constitution.

He said the government had already committed to empowering local bodies and a committee had been formed to build consensus among all political parties.

He added that no constitutional amendment would be made without agreement among coalition partners, recalling the consensus approach used during the 26th Constitutional Amendment.