Amendment ordinance issued shortly after act on Madrasa registration

The law prohibits madrassas from teaching or publishing material that promotes militancy, sectarianism, or hatred.

The Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024, commonly known as the madrassah registration bill, has officially become law with the signature of President Asif Ali Zardari as the new legislation will require all madrassas to comply with the government’s regulations.

According to Express News, the federal government has agreed to the demands of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, which were aimed at regulating the registration of madrassas, bringing them under the umbrella of the Societies Act 2024.

This move has resolved the longstanding dispute between the ruling PML-N government and the opposition JUI-F, over the bill, which had been passed by Parliament but returned by President Zardari.

Key provisions of the new legislation

As per the new law, all madrassas that were operating before its enactment must complete their registration within six months. Newly established madrassas, on the other hand, will have a year to register.

The Act requires madrassas to submit annual audit reports of their educational and financial activities to the relevant registrar.

One of the notable features of the law is that if a central madrassa is registered under a particular name, its branches will not need separate registration.

Additionally, Madrassas that are registered under the Societies (Amendment) Act 2024 will not be required to register under any other law, ensuring a streamlined process for these institutions.

The law also bans madrassas from teaching or publishing any material that promotes militancy, sectarianism, or religious hatred. However, it allows the study of comparative religion and mandates that madrassas gradually introduce modern subjects based on their available resources.

The federal cabinet had approved amendments to the Societies Registration Act of 1860 on Friday. Initially passed as it stood, the President issued an ordinance to amend the act, allowing madrassas to register either under the societies registration or the education ministry.