ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar emphasized on Monday that extensive consultations are underway to address the contentious issue of seminary registration and ensure a solution acceptable to all stakeholders. Speaking at the Conference on Madressah Registration and Reforms in Islamabad, Tarar reiterated the importance of involving Ulema and Mashaikh in the process, as their input is crucial in shaping the reforms.
The conference comes in the wake of a warning from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), which threatened to march to Islamabad unless the government enacts the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill. The bill, intended to regulate the registration of madressahs, was recently returned by President Asif Ali Zardari, citing concerns and objections.
Addressing the gathering, Tarar acknowledged the longstanding effort to bring seminaries into the national mainstream, noting that a system had already been devised years ago following extensive consultations. This system, he said, aimed to improve the perception of religious schools while also providing students with equal opportunities. He emphasized that one of the primary objectives of the legislation was to ensure that graduates of madressahs would not face discrimination and would have access to the same opportunities as other students in Pakistan.
Tarar pointed out that the registration of 18,000 madressahs was a significant achievement of the Department of Religious Education, which had been working to formalize these institutions. However, he acknowledged that the bill had not yet become law due to “some legal complications” that needed to be resolved. The Minister assured that suggestions from scholars had been carefully considered and that a final solution would emerge after further consultations.
“We are committed to providing equal opportunities for madressah students,” Tarar said, highlighting the progress made in integrating them into higher education. He also mentioned that the registration process carried out by the Ministry of Education was already showing positive results, with madressah graduates now making notable contributions to various academic fields.
Regarding the ongoing discussions, Tarar assured the religious scholars present at the conference that the government had no objections to several of their proposals, indicating a positive stance towards reaching an agreement. He also recognized JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a “respectable leader,” acknowledging the importance of his input in the reform process. Tarar stated that all schools of thought were being represented at the conference, and the government valued their suggestions.
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In a broader context, the minister also touched upon the importance of maintaining law and order in the country and tackling terrorism. He emphasized that creating awareness about counterterrorism was critical and announced that a separate meeting would be held soon to address these issues.
The Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is central to the discussions, seeks to amend the Societies Registration Act of 1860 to streamline the registration of religious seminaries. Under the new bill, madressahs with multiple campuses would only need a single registration. Furthermore, these institutions would be required to submit annual reports detailing their educational activities and undergo financial audits, which would be submitted to the relevant authorities.
The bill also aims to prevent seminaries from disseminating materials that promote militancy, sectarianism, or religious hatred, in an effort to ensure that madressahs contribute positively to Pakistan’s development and the welfare of its citizens.
As discussions continue, the government remains focused on finding a balanced approach that respects the concerns of religious scholars while ensuring that seminaries adhere to national standards.
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