The Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024, commonly known as the Madrasah Registration Bill, has officially become law with the signature of President Asif Ali Zardari, as the new legislation will require all Madrassas to comply with the government regulations.
According to Express News, the federal government accepted the demands of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, which aimed to regulate the registration of madrassas, bringing them under the umbrella of the Companies Act. 2024.
This move has resolved the long-running dispute between the ruling PML-N government and the opposition JUI-F over the bill, which had been passed by Parliament but returned by President Zardari.
Key provisions of the new legislation
Under the new law, all madrassas operating before its enactment must complete their registration within six months. On the other hand, newly created madrassas will have one year to register.
The law requires madrassas to submit annual audit reports of their educational and financial activities to the relevant registrar.
One of the notable features of the law is that if a central madrasah is registered under a particular name, its branches will not need a separate registration.
Furthermore, madrassas registered under the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2024 will not be required to register under any other law, ensuring a simplified process for these institutions.
The law also prohibits madrasas from teaching or publishing any material that promotes militancy, sectarianism or religious hatred. However, it allows the study of comparative religion and requires madrasas to gradually introduce modern themes based on available resources.
The federal cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Initially passed as it was, the President issued an ordinance to amend the law, allowing madrassas to register either under the registry of societies or under the Ministry of Education.
