{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "From Terrorists to Patriots, Rana Sanaullah Shifts Stance Amid PoK Protests",
  "summary": "Amid prolonged protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the ruling party's tone has shifted dramatically. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's adviser Rana Sanaullah has now called protesters patriots and offered talks.",
  "content": "Amid ongoing protests spanning more than two months in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is exhibiting a sweeping shift in its tone and approach. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's adviser Rana Sanaullah made a major statement on Saturday regarding the demonstrators involved in the unrest. He stated that 99 percent of the individuals associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee are patriotic citizens. Furthermore, he announced that leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will soon hold direct meetings with the protesters.\n\nRana Sanaullah's statement carries substantial weight because until a few days prior, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was hurling severe accusations against these very demonstrators. The party previously claimed that the ranks of the protesters included members of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, labeling them all as terrorists. Grounding its rationale in these exact allegations, the administration had fiercely defended the aggressive security crackdown launched against the demonstrators. The current characterization of the protesters as patriots by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is therefore being interpreted as a clear sign of a modified stance.\n\nWhile addressing a political rally in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Rana Sanaullah asserted that 99 percent of those affiliated with the Joint Awami Action Committee are patriotic brothers. He claimed that if the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz secures a two-thirds majority to form the government, initiating dialogue with the representatives of the Joint Awami Action Committee will be the administration's primary endeavor to resolve the dispute.\n\nWhy Are Demonstrations Unfolding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?\n\nThe Joint Awami Action Committee encompasses diverse segments of society, bringing together students, merchants, transport operators, legal professionals, and social activists under one umbrella. Among the core demands raised by the protesters is the complete abolition of the 12 disputed refugee seats in the legislative assembly of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Joint Awami Action Committee alleges that political powers have historically exploited these specific seats to engineer governments of their own choosing.\n\nProtests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have persisted for over two months, with tensions escalating sharply during the three-phase elections that commenced on July 27. Claiming victories across 25 seats in the initial two phases, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has surged ahead of the majority threshold in the 45-member assembly.\n\nNevertheless, allegations of widespread electoral rigging and violence have also surfaced during the polling process. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz faces a direct political contest against the Pakistan Peoples Party, which serves as its partner in the federal coalition government. Polling for the final four seats in the third and concluding phase is scheduled to take place on Monday, while elections for seven additional seats have been postponed indefinitely.\n\nQuestions Surrounding the Crackdown on Demonstrators\nHuman rights organizations have voiced severe concerns regarding the operations conducted by security forces during the demonstrations. A wide divergence also exists between the casualty figures cited by the administration and those presented by the protesters. The Joint Awami Action Committee asserts that more than 40 individuals, including women and children, have lost their lives since the election process began. Additionally, the organization claims that roughly 400 protesters have been killed since the first week of June.\n\nOn August 7, the United Nations expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and emphasized the absolute necessity of establishing accountability for the actions taken against peaceful demonstrators. The altered posture of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz kindles hope that a pathway for dialogue between the authorities and the protesters might finally emerge. However, it remains to be seen whether negotiations can genuinely bridge the longstanding divide between the demands of the Joint Awami Action Committee and the administration.\n\nIndia maintains its consistent position that the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inseparable parts of India, and that Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of certain portions of them.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis international political development does not bear any direct, practical effect on the daily lives of ordinary citizens in India, as the events are centered within the internal political turmoil of Pakistan-occupied territories.\n\n• Across India: At a policy level, this situation highlights the ongoing administrative instability within Pakistan, which is monitored closely by Indian strategic circles.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What new statement did Rana Sanaullah make regarding the protesters?\nRana Sanaullah stated that 99 percent of the people associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee are patriots and that party leaders will soon meet them.\n\n2. What was the PML-N's earlier accusation against the demonstrators?\nThe party previously claimed that the protesters included members of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and labeled them all as terrorists.\n\n3. Why are main protests taking place in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?\nThe primary demand of the protesters is the abolition of the 12 disputed refugee seats in the legislative assembly, which political parties use to manipulate outcomes.\n\n4. When did the UN express concern over the situation in PoK?\nThe United Nations expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in PoK on August 7 and emphasized accountability for actions against peaceful protesters.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/world/atnkavadi-se-sidhe-deshabhakta-taka-pakistan-ke-kabje-vale-kashmira-men-rana-sanaullah-ke-badale-sura-15436",
  "category": "World",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-09",
  "tags": [
    "PoK",
    "Shehbaz Sharif",
    "Rana Sanaullah",
    "Pakistan",
    "PML-N",
    "Joint Awami Action Committee"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}