by Arshad Mehmood
[Islamabad} After the President of Pakistan declined to sign the Islamic Seminaries (Madrassa) Registration Bill, citing objections to its provisions, a major religious group announced plans for nationwide protests.
The most prominent voice among them is Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI).
Giving the government an ultimatum, Rehman warned of a forceful protest march to Islamabad by his supporters if the bill isn’t approved promptly.
In a public declaration, Rehman, the head of the JUI party, stated that “his party is fully prepared and ready to mobilize its supporters if and when the situation requires such action. In the event that we choose to commence our march on Islamabad, our supporters have pledged their steadfast commitment and will remain resolute in their dedication”.
Government sources indicate that the madrassa registration bill cannot be approved due to conditions set by FATF and other international organizations.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari returned the bill on Monday following consultations with his legal advisors.
In his remarks, the President explained “that under the constitution, the registration of religious seminaries falls under the purview of provincial governments rather than the federal government.”
However, Rehman believes it infringes on the autonomy and traditional role of madrassas, which have historically operated independently as vital institutions of Islamic education.
The bill, initiated in 2019 by Fazlur Rehman in collaboration with federal authorities, faced delays in formal enactment due to legal and political challenges.
Rehman and his associates are advocating for the federal-level registration of madrassas without compromising their autonomy.
Meanwhile, the federation aims to incorporate seminaries into a unified system to enable auditing of both domestic and international donations they receive.
The Islamic Seminaries Registration Bill in Pakistan is designed to regulate Islamic seminaries by mandating their registration with government authorities, ensuring financial transparency, and integrating modern subjects alongside religious studies.
The bill has significant implications for Pakistan’s international commitments, especially under FATF scrutiny. The FATF has emphasized greater oversight of religious institutions to prevent their exploitation of extremist activities or financial crimes.
In terms of anonymity, a senior official from the Ministry of Interior said “In fact, Rehman seeks to evade financial transparency and audit. If Pakistan persists in refusing such registration, it could harm the nation’s standing in the upcoming FATF assessment. Moreover, registration would enable the state to implement gun control and permit madrassas to integrate modern education into their curriculum”.
It is worth to mention that, in Pakistan, Fazal Ur Rehman, a prominent religious and political figure, along with his vast followers maintains close ties with seminary networks that share a significant ideological alignment with the Afghan Taliban.
Rehman’s call for protest has intensified political pressure on Pakistan’s coalition government, complicating its efforts to address the regional security challenges and comply with international obligations like FATF recommendations.
On the other hand, divisions have also begun to surface within Fazlur Rehman’s own ranks on this matter.
Mufti Abdul Rahim, the head of Jamiat-ul-Rashid—an established institution of the same school of thought based in Karachi—has expressed his views on madrasa reforms.
He pointed out that during the tenure of Prime Minister Imran Khan, an agreement was reached stipulating that all madrasas would fall under the Ministry of Education, and foreign students would be granted nine-year visas.
Mufti Abdul Rahim highlighted that 18,000 madrasas with two million students currently operate under the Ministry of Education without interference. He noted that initiatives like training 2,500 students in freelancing, with cash grants of 750 million rupees, have significantly benefited both students and madrasas. However, he warned that any amendments to the system risking their registration would be unacceptable.
Barrister Mansoor Azam, an Islamabad-based leading law practitioner, expressed his views with WO.
He noted that “since 9/11 and the National Action Plan (NAP), registering religious seminaries has become a critical requirement with both national and international support”.
Azam explained that “madrasas have historically been registered under the colonial-era Societies Registration Act of 1860. The government recently amended this law to accommodate Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s changing demands for oversight by the interior, education, or industries ministry. However, the hurried passage of the legislation overlooked procedural details, prompting the President to return the bill with valid legal objections.
According to Azam, “these objections are solvable with minor amendments and better coordination with provinces, which play a key role in education under the 18th Amendment”.
He emphasized that, regardless of the supervising ministry, the amendments and registration would improve accountability, ensure government support, and introduce modern curriculums.
Federal Information Minister Atta Ullah Tarar stated on Monday that the Madrasa Registration Bill 2024 has faced delays due to legal complications.
He assured that scholars’ suggestions had been noted and that the matter would be resolved after further consultation.
In a meeting with scholars and religious leaders in Islamabad, Tarar emphasized that a system was developed after thorough discussions to integrate madrasas into the mainstream and address associated concerns.
Tarar added that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s input would also be considered to ensure a widely acceptable resolution.