The issue of the registration of religious schools in Pakistan has become a complex and politically charged matter, with serious differences emerging between the government and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F). The roots of this disagreement are tied to the 26th Constitutional Amendment and the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024.
What is the current system of registration of schools? And what was it in the past?
The new bill was part of an agreement reached between Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and the government in October 2024 to support the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024 is an amendment to the Societies Registration Act of 1860 concerning the registration of madrassas (religious schools).
Current Registration System:
The new amendment bill introduces several provisions for madrassas:
If a madrassa has more than one campus, only one registration will be required, instead of separate registrations for each campus.
Every madrassa will have to submit an annual report on its educational activities to the Registrar.
Each madrassa will be required to have its accounts audited by an independent auditor and submit the audit report to the Registrar’s office.
Madrassas will be prohibited from teaching or publishing materials that promote extremism, sectarianism, or religious hatred.
Past Registration System:
Previously, religious madrasas were registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Under this system, madrassas were registered with the office of the concerned Deputy Commissioner, and their administration was subject to audits and other regulations. However, there was little government oversight regarding their curriculum and financial matters.
Government’s New Stance
In 2019, the government established a new directorate for religious madrassas under the Ministry of Education. This initiative aimed to register madrassas as educational institutions, reform their curriculum, conduct audits, and provide government grants. However, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the madrassa boards supporting him opposed this new system, arguing that it would undermine the autonomy of madrassas and result in government interference in their curriculum.
Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024
Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his supporters demanded that the registration of madrassas be organized by the Deputy Commissioners rather than being brought under the Ministry of Education. This led to the introduction of the amendment bill, which includes several new regulations for madrassas, such as:
Banning the teaching of materials promoting extremism or sectarianism.
Requiring annual audits.
Mandating the submission of reports on educational activities.
However, the bill faced objections from President Asif Ali Zardari and was sent back to parliament.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Stance
Maulana Fazlur Rehman argues that the government is trying to divide religious scholars by interfering in madrassa policies. He has threatened to launch a long march after consulting with other religious parties, calling the government's actions a "fraud." He believes that the government is working under the influence of the establishment.
Government’s Stance
The government, on the other hand, maintains its position of bringing religious madrassas under the Ministry of Education. It argues that this will improve the quality of education in madrassas and enhance their supervision. The government aims to create a stronger regulatory framework for madrassas, enabling better oversight of their financial affairs and curricula.
Conclusion
At present, the issue of the registration of religious madrassas has become a political point of tension between the government and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. This dispute is not only about administrative matters but also touches on broader concerns regarding religious politics and government influence in Pakistan.
Welcome to Urdu International's official YouTube channel – your trusted platform for diverse content, expert analysis, and meaningful conversations.
Explore our exclusive shows:
🎥 Middle East Matters with Shozab Askari – Insightful vlogs dissecting Middle Eastern dynamics, from regional conflicts to Iran's influence.
🎙️ TazadCast – A thought-provoking podcast diving into contradictions and complexities in politics, culture, and society.
📡 On-the-Ground Coverage by Malik Shoaib – Timely updates and detailed reporting on the most pressing stories.
At Urdu International, we go beyond the headlines to provide authentic and engaging content for our Urdu-speaking audience worldwide.
🌐 Website: urduintl.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/urduintl
🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/urduintl
Subscribe now to stay informed and be part of the conversation!
