Key madrassa reform meeting set to take place in Islamabad today

A meeting on madrassa registration and reforms is scheduled to take place today in Islamabad, with prominent religious scholars from all schools of thought across Pakistan expected to participate.

The meeting will include discussions with scholars on madrassa registration and reforms, along with a review of the 2019 agreement between the government and religious leaders regarding madrassas, Express News reported.

According to the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE), established on 22 October 2019, a total of 17,653 madrassas have been registered to date.

Under this initiative, 598 madrassas have been provided with 1,196 teachers, while the national curriculum has been introduced in 163 madrassas. Additionally, 1,491 students have received assistance with obtaining or extending Pakistani visas.

Earlier Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Jamia Ashrafia, where he met Maulana Fazlur Raheem Ashrafi, the Patron-in-Chief of Wifaq-ul-Madaris.

During the meeting, the Interior Minister inquired about Maulana Fazlur Raheem’s well-being and conveyed his best wishes. The discussion centred on the religious seminaries' bill, with both parties exchanging detailed views.

Maulana Fazlur Raheem emphasised that madrassa matters should remain free of political interference, stating, “We will play a constructive role in addressing issues related to madrassas.”

He further suggested that seminaries in Punjab should be brought under the Education Department's jurisdiction, similar to the federal model.

Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude for Maulana Fazlur Raheem Ashrafi’s commitment to playing a positive role in madrassa reforms. The meeting concluded with prayers for the nation's security, development, and prosperity, led by Maulana Fazlur Raheem Ashrafi.

Details of 2019 PTI govt's madrassa deal surface

Amid the brewing tensions between the ruling coalition and the JUI-F over delay in enactment of a seminary registration bill already passed by parliament, the details of a past agreement between the PTI government and the umbrella organization of madrassas has surfaced.

In August 2019, the Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris and the PTI government signed an agreement. Under the agreement, all religious seminaries were required to register with the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education was recognized as the sole authority to collect data on madrassas.

It was agreed in the deal signed by former minister for education Shafqat Mahmood on behalf of the PTI government that madrassas that did not register with the ministry would be closed.

It was also decided that registration could be canceled for violating regulations, and madrassas were required to open bank accounts.