ISLAMABAD:
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F once again prevailed when President Asif Ali Zardari withdrew his objections to a law relating to registration of religious seminaries and made it an Act of Parliament giving it his seal of approval.
After the President’s nod, the National Assembly Secretariat on Sunday published the Companies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024 in the official gazette. Along with the law, the president also issued an ordinance amending some sections of the new law.
Parliament had passed the Companies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024 brought by the JUI-F apparently in return for the party’s support to the ruling coalition in passing the 26th Constitutional Amendment in October this year.
However, President Zardari, co-chairman of the PPP, returned the bill to the National Assembly without signing it. In raising objections to the bill, the president referred to existing laws and argued that the presence of these laws negated the need for new legislation.
He had also expressed fear that there was the possibility of international criticism and adverse reactions from bodies such as the FATF, an organization that seeks to curb money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Passage of the bill could influence Pakistan’s ratings and perceptions, he added.
Zardari’s refusal to sign the bill created a political crisis and the JUI-F threatened to march on Islamabad “to protect the freedom of the madaris”. Subsequently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Maulana Fazl on December 20 to resolve the crisis.
On Friday, the federal cabinet approved amendments to the Societies Registration Act, 1860, deciding that the law will first be passed as is and then the president will issue an ordinance amending the law, allowing madrassas to register under societies or the ministry of education.
According to the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024 religious seminaries established before the implementation of the amendment must register within six months, while those established after the enactment of the bill will have one year to complete the record.
The bill specifies that madrasas with multiple campuses will require a single registration. Each madrassa shall submit to the registrar an annual report of its activities.
According to the new law, each madrasa must have its accounts audited and submit the audit report to the registrar. The law prohibits any madrassa from publishing or teaching materials that promote extremism or religious hatred.
According to the law, all madrassas must gradually integrate basic contemporary subjects into their curriculum based on available resources. Furthermore, madrassas will not need to register under any other law after registering under this law, nor will they require fresh registration under any future legal framework.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, following the advice of the Prime Minister, issued a presidential ordinance amending the Companies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The ordinance, valid for 120 days, introduces subclauses in articles 5, 6 and 7 of the law, providing legal protection to 18,600 madrassas registered with the General Directorate of Religious Education (DGRE), which depends on the Ministry of Education.
According to the ordinance, all madrasas are mandated to prioritize financial audits. Madrasas registered with the Ministry of Education will not require re-registration.
The amendment gives madrasas the flexibility to register either under the Ministry of Education or the Societies Registration Act. Those already registered with the DGRE will be considered legally registered.
Before the promulgation of the notification, President Asif Ali Zardari met a JUI-F delegation in Larkana on Saturday. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, PPP leaders and JUI-F Sindh leaders held detailed discussions on the political situation and the bill. Zardari assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed and the matter would be resolved as soon as possible.
