• Sanaullah says 12 reserved seats represent families displaced from held Kashmir • Opposition alleges ‘ massive rigging ’ in GB elections; PTI stages walkout • Minister tells lawmakers Rs5.4bn disbursed in fuel subsidy • House unanimously passes five bills ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday told the Senate that 12 reserved seats for refugees in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir ( AJK) Legislative Assembly would not be abolished, saying they represented families displaced from India-occupied Kashmir. Responding to a point hiked by the upper house ’ s opposition director, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Sanaullah said the seats could not be abolished through executive orders. Observers say this could mark a turning point in how the issue is addressed.

Context and History

This situation has been building for some time, shaped by a series of interconnected events.

The adviser declared the government had accepted 37 of the 38 demands put forward by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee ( JAAC).

“ The government remained engaged with JAAC for several months, ” he said, adding that a written agreement was signed in the wake of negotiations on 37 demands.

At the same time, “ The sole outstanding demand concerning refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly involved constitutional and legal complexities, ” he told the House.

Reactions and Responses

Observers say the significance of what has occurred cannot be understated.

He added that the government addressed the committee ’ s major demands by providing electricity at Rs4 per unit, subsidised wheat and a Rs23 billion relief package for the region.

It has also emerged that “ They knew the polls are due prior to August 4 and gave a call for protest on June 9 back in January, ” he said, adding that peace and stability in AJK would be maintained in accordance with the law.

Against this backdrop, ‘ Massive rigging ’ Opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas alle­ged “ massive rigging ” in Gilgit-Baltistan ’ s June 7 general elections, saying the results were “ against the wishes of the people ”.

Policy Implications

Policymakers, citizens, and institutions will all need to grapple with what comes next.

After Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar did not allow the opposition leader to continue speaking on the issue, PTI members staged a protest walkout.

According to those with knowledge of the situation, fuel subsidy Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the House that the government would continue efforts to protect low-income groups from higher fuel prices whereas maintaining economic stability.

It has also emerged that responding to a calling-attention notice by Senator Mohsin Aziz, he stated Rs5.4bn had been disbursed so far under a targeted fuel subsidy programme, besides Rs4.61bn in support for small farmers amid rising international fuel prices.

Observers have also noted that the government shifted from a general subsidy to a targeted programme for motorcycle owners, public transport users, transport operators and small farmers.

As the story continues to develop, the House unanimously passed five bills: the Motion Pictures ( Amendment) Bill, the Travel Agencies ( Amendment) Bill, the Pak­istan Tourist Guides ( Amendment) Bill, the Pakistan Hotels and Restaurants ( Amend­ment) Legislation, and the Pakistan International Air­­lines Corporation ( Conversion) ( Repeal) Bill.

The Road Ahead

What is clear is that this story is not yet over. The coming days and weeks will likely bring additional developments — and additional clarity — on a situation that has already captured significant national attention.