ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has alleged that external elements are financing a proscribed organisation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that investigations point to foreign-based individuals, including members of the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom.
Speaking on a television programme, Sanaullah said the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had received external funding and rejected multiple government attempts to resolve disputes through dialogue and political mechanisms.
The AJK administration had earlier declared JAAC a proscribed organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing alleged involvement in unlawful activities ahead of planned protests over reserved refugee seats in the legislative assembly.
According to Sanaullah, the federal government had proposed several options to address the issue, including a referendum, an all-parties conference, and referral to the AJK Assembly, but said these offers were turned down by the group.
Separately, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said the situation in the region remained sensitive and described it as a challenge for state institutions, adding that previous administrative commitments had been fulfilled.
Authorities maintain that the dispute centres on contested refugee representation in the AJK Assembly, while tensions continue following the organisation’s ban and planned protests.