Rana Sanaullah, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and adviser to the Prime Minister, defended the government's performance regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) assembly matters on June 24, 2026 [1].

The dispute highlights deepening friction between the central government and regional interests over the legal and political framework governing AJK. The resolution of these tensions is critical for maintaining stability in the region and addressing the grievances of displaced populations.

Speaking during a National Assembly debate on June 24, 2026 [1], Sanaullah addressed the powers of the AJK Assembly and responded to criticism from Maulana Fazlur Rehman. While he expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, he issued a rebuke of a banned Action Committee.

Sanaullah said, "The banned Action Committee is using the issue of refugee seats as a pretext to exert pressure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir" [3]. He said the proscribed group is utilizing the allocation of refugee seats to manipulate political pressure within the territory.

This tension follows earlier discussions regarding the legal requirements for officials in the region. On June 10, 2026, Sanaullah had previously addressed the necessity of modifying specific legal language [2]. At that time, he said, "We must remove the contentious clauses from the Kashmir oath as demanded by the proscribed committee" [2].

Despite the criticism of the committee's current tactics, the government continues to navigate the complex demands regarding seat allocation and the oath of office. Sanaullah's remarks in the National Assembly suggest a strategy of balancing firm opposition to banned entities with a broader openness to political dialogue to resolve the impasse [1].

“The banned Action Committee is using the issue of refugee seats as a pretext to exert pressure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.”

The government's dual approach—condemning the Action Committee while acknowledging the need to remove contentious oath clauses—indicates a struggle to decouple legitimate regional grievances from the influence of banned political actors. By calling for dialogue in the National Assembly, the administration seeks to stabilize AJK's governance without appearing to concede to groups it has officially proscribed.