NA session: Religious affairs ministry distances itself from key jobs

Says pilgrimage of minorities fall outside its purview.

ISLAMABAD: During the National Assembly’s current session, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has distanced itself from many key responsibilities, including that of standardisation of syllabi of religious seminaries and minority affairs. 

Responding to a question on Sunday, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said standardisation of the syllabi did not fall under the jurisdiction of the ministry.

“Most of the Madaris in the country are in the private sector and are affiliated with the five Wafaqs/Tanzeems [representing different sects] which have their own syllabi,” he said.

He said after the 18th Constitutional amendment, the subject of Islamic education was devolved and transferred to the provinces. “Now it has become a provincial subject,” he added.

He said there were only three seminaries under administrative control of the ministry.

“These seminaries are established by the Pakistan Madrassah Education Board in Karachi, Sukkur and Islamabad. They provide contemporary education including that of science and computers along with religious subjects up to the level of intermediate/Darja Sanvia Khassah as they are affiliated with the federal board of intermediate and secondary education, Islamabad,” he added.

In reply to a question asked by MNA Lal Chand, Sardar Yousaf said the ministry did not have the mandate to arrange visits of minorities to their holy places in India.

He said Evacuee Trust Property had allocated an amount of Rs71.65 million for the repair and maintenance of Shrines, Gurdwaras and Mandir during the financial year 2013-14.

“Presently there are 23 Gurdwaras and 10 Mandirs under the control and management of Evacuee Trust Property Board,” he said, adding that religious places were repaired when reported by the relevant quarters.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2014.