JUI-F chief confident of madrassa bill resolution after talks with PM

Fazlur Rehman says PM has directed law ministry to act promptly, positive resolution will meet demands

After meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the Madrassa Registration Bill, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that the government had assured progress on their demands, promising good news within a day or two, Express News reported.

The Madrassa Registration Bill, which has already been passed by both houses of Parliament, was a focal point of the talks. Rehman, who was participating with the trust and consent of Mufti Taqi Usmani, head of the alliance, reiterated JUI-F's stance during the meeting.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, he expressed optimism about the government's commitment to addressing the concerns as he revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed the Ministry of Law to take immediate steps, raising hopes for a favourable resolution within days.

He clarified that the bill, now an act, had already addressed any objections raised by the president, in line with constitutional procedures while adding that subsequent objections from the president were constitutionally invalid and submitted beyond the stipulated timeframe, rendering them procedurally irrelevant.

Rehman highlighted the constructive response from the government and affirmed that the PM had issued immediate directives to the Ministry of Law to act on the matter and expressed confidence that the resolution would align with JUI-F’s demands.

“We are optimistic that the steps taken will align with our demands, and I will inform the leadership of Ittehad Tanzeemat-e-Madaris-e-Deenia about the progress. Within a day or two, we expect positive news, and our concerns will be addressed,” said Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

He further commended the PM’s constructive approach, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved in a manner consistent with constitutional and legal requirements.

The meeting was attended by Rehman, accompanied by senior members Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Kamran Murtaza, and Maulana Asad Mehmood.

On the government’s side, notable attendees included National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Special Assistan to PM Rana Sanaullah, and senior Pakistan Peoples Party leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira.

Attorney General Mansoor Usman was also present where the discussions reportedly saw positive progress on proposals related to Madrassa registration.