Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza on Wednesday announced that differences between the government and his party over the Madrasah Registration Bill have been resolved.
Speaking to a local news channel, he confirmed that a gazette notification on the bill, which aligns with the 26th Constitutional Amendment, is expected to be issued in the next two days. The bill, which was earlier passed by both houses of Parliament, had become a point of contention between JUI-F and the government.
Following a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the government reportedly accepted all the demands made by Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris, which was pushing for amendments to the draft. law.
The legislation aims to modify the procedure for registering madrassas, transferring responsibility from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Industry.
Despite being passed in parliament, President Asif Ali Zardari rejected the bill due to legal objections. According to Article 75(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the bill must be reconsidered in a joint session of parliament if the president refuses to sign it.
Senator Murtaza stated that he and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had finalized the draft legislation and the issue would be resolved after the issuance of the notification.
Additionally, an amendment is expected to be made to the law, which will give madrassas the discretion to register with the Ministry of Education or under the Societies Registration Act.
However, concerns remain about the potential repercussions of the bill. Sources report that President Zardari raised eight objections to the bill, particularly regarding the registration of madrasas under the Companies Act.
The president expressed concern that such a move could lead to sanctions by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and jeopardize Pakistan’s international standing.
He also highlighted the possibility of greater sectarianism and the proliferation of seminaries, which could destabilize law and order. He cautioned that these issues should be carefully considered during the drafting of legislation.
Despite these objections, Senator Murtaza is confident that the notification will be issued shortly and the matter will be resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
