Madrassa law finally gets president's assent

Zardari enacts Societies Registration (Amend) Act Also issues ordinance amending sections of law Seminaries allo

ISLAMABAD:

Maulana Fazlur Rehman's JUI-F once again prevailed as President Asif Ali Zardari withdrew his objections to a piece of legislation with regard to registration of religious seminaries and turned it into an act of parliament by giving it his seal of approval.

After the president's nod, the National Assembly Secretariat on Sunday published the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024 in the official gazette. Along with the act, the president also issued an ordinance amending some sections of the new law.

Parliament had approved the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024 moved by the JUI-F apparently in return for the party's support to the ruling coalition in the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in October this year.

President Zardari, who is the co-chairman of the PPP, however, returned the bill to the National Assembly without signing it. Raising objections to the bill, the president referred to the existing laws and argued that the presence of these laws negated the necessity for new legislation.

He had also expressed fear that there was a possibility of international criticism and adverse reactions from bodies like the FATF, an organization which seeks to curb money laundering and terror financing. Approval of the bill might influence Pakistan's ratings and perceptions, he added.

The refusal of Zardari to sign the bill created a political crisis with the JUI-F threatening to march on Islamabad "to protect the freedom of madaris". Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had met with Maulana Fazl on December 20 to resolve the crisis.

On Friday, the federal cabinet approved the amendments in the Societies Registration Act of 1860, deciding that the act will first be passed as it is and then the president will issue an ordinance amending the act, allowing madrassas to register themselves either under the societies or the education ministry.

According to the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024 religious seminaries established before the implementation of the amendment must register within six months, while those established after the bill's enactment will have one year to complete registration.

The bill specifies that madrassas with multiple campuses will require only a single registration. Each madrassa will submit an annual report of its activities to the registrar.

Under the new law, every madrasa must have its accounts audited and submit the audit report to the registrar. The law prohibits any madrasa from publishing or teaching materials that promote extremism or religious hatred.

As per the law, all madrassas are required to gradually integrate basic contemporary subjects into their curriculum based on available resources. Moreover, madrassas will not need to register under any other law after being registered under this act, nor will they require re-registration under any future legal framework.

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, on the advice of the prime minister, issued a presidential ordinance amending the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The ordinance, effective for 120 days, introduces sub-clauses to Sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Act, providing legal protection to 18,600 madrassas registered under the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE), operating under the Ministry of Education.

Under the ordinance, all madrassas are mandated to prioritise financial audits. Madrassas registered under the Ministry of Education will not require re-registration.

The amendment allows madrassas the flexibility to register either under the Ministry of Education or the Societies Registration Act. Those already registered with the DGRE will be considered legally registered.

Ahead of the promulgation of the notification, President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday met a JUI-F delegation in Larkana. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the PPP leadership and JUI-F Sindh leaders held detailed discussions on the political situation as well as the bill. Zardari assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed and the matter would be resolved at the earliest.