Amid the ongoing dispute between the government and the JUI-F over the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024, which concerns the registration of seminaries, party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has accused the current regime of attempting to create divisions among religious scholars. This accusation follows the government’s call to “keep the madrassa issue separate from politics.”
In a press conference in Charsadda on Monday, Maulana Fazl questioned, “Why are scholars being pitted against each other? A conspiracy is being hatched to create divisions among the clerics.”
His remarks came after the conclusion of the Conference on Madrassa Registration and Reforms, where a resolution was passed urging the government to maintain the existing system for religious schools. The conference, which was attended by scholars and administrators of religious institutions from various schools of thought, also emphasized the need to avoid turning the madrassa registration issue into a political matter.
In response, Maulana Fazl stated that his party did not want confrontation with the state but sought the registration of seminaries. “They proposed a new system for us in 2019, but it was merely an agreement,” he remarked.
Following the agreement, the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) was established through an executive order.
Maulana Fazl mentioned that an agreement had been reached on the madrassa registration bill before the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and a draft was prepared. “All relevant stakeholders, including the agencies, agreed on the bill, which was later passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate,” he said, questioning why the amendment bill had been returned by President Asif Zardari.
He further argued that each seminary was “free to register itself anywhere,” so there was no need to bring them under the control of the Directorate. “They [the government] are associating the seminaries with an act or agreement,” he added, emphasizing that the party was focused on ensuring that madrassas adhered to the law.
Given the current circumstances, Maulana Fazl stated that the JUI-F was unwilling to accept any proposals presented by the government.
He urged the government to focus on the country’s security situation, especially in light of the rising terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. “Focus on the country; we are here to protect madrassas,” he asserted.
Maulana Fazl also claimed that armed groups were active in both provinces during the February 8 general elections and alleged that religious and nationalist parties were excluded from the assemblies in these regions. He further accused the authorities of pushing seminaries toward extremism, alleging that the government was attempting to control the religious seminaries under pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States, and the West.
Support for the Current System
At the conference, Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, presented a resolution urging the government to preserve the current system for religious schools. The resolution, which was adopted, called for the directorate to remain in place and for seminaries to remain under the Ministry of Education’s purview.
Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar emphasized that extensive consultations were being held to find a solution to the madrassa registration issue that would be acceptable to all stakeholders. He stated that the input of Ulemas and Mashaikh regarding registration and madrassa reforms was crucial.
“Registration of 18,000 madrasahs is the result of efforts by the Department of Religious Education,” he said, praising the work of the Director General of Religious Education.
Regarding the Madrassa Bill, the minister explained that it had not become law due to legal complications. However, he assured that the suggestions made by scholars had been noted, and a final solution would be reached after thorough consultations.
In reference to Maulana Fazl, the minister expressed respect for the leader, acknowledging that his suggestions would be given due consideration in the process of finding a solution.
