Rana Sanaullah Says Banned Action Committee Sought Removal of Pakistan-Accession Clause from Kashmir Oath

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah has claimed that the banned Awami Action Committee in Azad Jammu and Kashmir demanded the removal of provisions from the oath that affirm Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan.

Addressing the Senate, Sanaullah said the Awami Action Committee is not affiliated with any political party and has shown no interest in contesting elections. He noted that the committee emerged in 2023 and initially demanded wheat subsidies and electricity at production cost rates. Following protests in Muzaffarabad, the government provided a Rs30 billion relief package, including Rs10 billion for power projects.

He said consumers in Azad Kashmir currently receive electricity at Rs3 per unit, while electricity costs in the rest of Pakistan are significantly higher. Despite the government fulfilling two long-standing demands, the committee later presented 38 additional demands.

According to Sanaullah, the government held two days of negotiations with the committee and reached written agreements on 37 of the 38 demands. One of the unresolved demands concerned the abolition of refugee seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He said the government informed the committee that eliminating these seats was not within the executive’s authority and that refugees could not be deprived of their voting rights. A proposal to form a committee to examine the issue was also discussed.

The adviser alleged that the committee deliberately announced a June 9 long march ultimatum despite knowing that elections must be held before August 4. He claimed their objective was to disrupt the electoral process.

Sanaullah further stated that during renewed negotiations, the committee demanded the removal of references in the oath concerning Kashmir’s future accession to Pakistan. He said the government suggested resolving the issue through a referendum, but the proposal was rejected. The committee also declined suggestions to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) or refer the matter to the Legislative Assembly.

He added that the Azad Kashmir Supreme Court had ruled that the current assembly could not legislate on the matter and that refugee seats could not be abolished through an executive decision.

Condemning recent unrest, Sanaullah alleged that members of the group opened fire and were attempting to create disorder. He claimed Indian media outlets were closely covering and promoting their activities. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies were carrying out their responsibilities and vowed that any individuals acting against the law would be dealt with accordingly.

“Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein, and the people of Pakistan have made immense sacrifices for the Kashmiri cause,” Sanaullah said, adding that Pakistan would protect Azad Kashmir at all costs.

He also praised the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, stating that 65 percent of voters participated and that international observers described the polls as free, fair, and transparent.