Registration of religious seminaries begins

The registration of religious seminaries across the country has begun but Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris, a coalition of Wifaqul Madaris, wanted to consult with the Ministry of Education for resolution of some reservations after which they would begin the process.

The offices for the registration of seminaries in four provinces, including the federal capital

Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), started functions from Monday and the government would close the seminaries which failed to register themselves.

According to sources, no seminary in the federal capital has so far received a registration form and eight to 10 different seminaries contacted the liaison office of the Ministry of Education. But no incharge has come directly to get the registration form so far.

Meanwhile, the coalition body sent a message to teachers and superintendents to wait for some time as they would consult the ministry for resolution of reservations after which the registration process would begin.

All seminaries are registered as per the agreement between the government of Pakistan and the Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris while they are affiliated with the federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.

The registration centers have been set up in 133 districts across the country, including Islamabad, while provincial liaison officers and district officers will be available in Islamabad,

Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit.

Also, liaison officers have been deployed in 35 districts of Punjab, 24 of Sindh, 31 of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa while 25 centres have been set up in Balochistan, nine in AJK and eight in G-B.

All the seminaries are bound to get themselves registered where accommodation and meals are provided along with teaching. Registration is also mandatory for seminaries affiliated to the federations.

Provincial and district offices provide registration forms to supervisors and moderators of religious seminaries.