ISLAMABAD, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah informed the Senate on Wednesday that the federal government had accepted 37 of the 38 demanded raised by Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The government remained engaged with JAAC for several months and, through negotiations they made the decision, adding that the sole outstanding demand concerning refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly involved constitutional and legal complexities.
Responding to a point raised by the Leader of the Opposition in Senate, he said the Action Committee had initially emerged in 2023 with demands relating to electricity tariffs and wheat subsidy. The government had already addressed the committee’s major demands by providing electricity at Rs four per unit, subsidised wheat, and a Rs 23 billion relief package for the region, he said.
He said Rs 23 billion package was also approved following talks with the protesters, while a written agreement was later signed after negotiations on 37 of the committee’s 38 demands.
The Adviser said the only unresolved issue concerned refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
He said those seats represented families displaced from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and could not be abolished through executive orders.
He said the government proposed several options, including consultations among political parties, constitutional review, parliamentary consideration and legal forums, but the proposals were rejected.
Rana Sanaullah said all political parties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the AJK Legislative Assembly and other constitutional forums had supported the position that refugee representation should remain part of the constitutional framework.
He said that certain elements sought to create instability ahead of the upcoming elections despite repeated offers of dialogue and negotiations by the government.
The Adviser said Pakistan would continue supporting the Kashmir cause and the rights of the Kashmiri people, adding that peace and stability in AJK would be maintained in accordance with the law.
