Previously, Rana Sanaullah declined any official position within the newly elected government, opting instead to support the party and government as an external contributor. He experienced defeat by the PTI candidate in the general elections held on February 8, 2024, in his hometown of Faisalabad.

Rana had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from August 2018 till August 2023. He is a senior member of the PML-N and the President of PML-N in Punjab Province since 4 May 2019.

Before getting elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sanaullah had been elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab five times and had served in high-ranking ministries of the province.

Previously, he has served as the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Punjab from 2008 to 2018, Local Governments and Community Development Minister of Punjab from 2008 to 2014, Revenue Minister of Punjab from 2008 to 2013, Public Prosecution Minister of Punjab from 2008 to 2013, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Punjab) from 1990 to 1993 and again from 2002 to 2007.