Joint session called on December 17

Amid ongoing controversy over the madrassa registration bill, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent advice to President Asif Ali Zardari to convene a joint session of parliament on December 17.

The prime minister has recommended summoning the joint session on Tuesday at 11 am, with eight bills, including the madrassa registration bill, likely to be put on the table.

According to insiders, consultations are underway between the government and the JUI-F to hammer out a new draft of the bill after President Zardari "raised eight objections" to the earlier version - the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The madrassa bill, already approved by both houses of parliament, has become a thorn in the government's side. The bill's enactment was part of a prior agreement between the government and the JUI-F to secure support for the 26th Amendment.