2,673 foreign students studying in Pakistani seminaries: Interior Ministry
In response to a written question by a member of lower house of the Parliament, the Interior Ministry confessed that there is no prescribed procedure for education of foreign students in religious seminaries in Pakistan. “A procedure is being finalised in the light of an agreement with the Wafaqul Madaris,” the ministry mentioned in its written reply.
This figure of students is up to December, 2011 and the information on latest number of foreign students is currently being collected by the ministry. Besides other countries, students from countries such as France, China, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Tunis and Uganda are also studying in Pakistani madrassas.
Among the total number of foreign students, 1,273 students are from neighbouring Afghanistan, of which 1,147 Afghani students are enrolled in madrassas of Balochistan province, 123 in Islamabad, one in Punjab and the remaining two students in Azad Kashmir. According to the list, 101 students from Thailand – the second highest number – are studying in religious seminaries of Punjab (97) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (4).
Around 1,000 foreign students are studying in Sindh province but a country-wise list is yet to be prepared by the Home Ministry. However, as per the list, Sindh with 999 students has become the second highest host province for foreigners after Balochistan with 1,147. There are a total of 396 foreign students enrolled in Punjab’s madrassas.
A preliminary report released by the ministry carried several errors including misspelling names of countries. The draft also managed to mix up nationalities with respective countries.
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Madrassa board and teachers must be praised for setting up an education system where foreign students are proud of receiving education.
I want to study in a Pakistani Madrassa. Will someone help me?
@Sir King Kong Bunty
Well sir, you are not funny. You are quite lame and boring. You need to learn how to do good sarcasm from Zaid Hamid (a commenter here).
Internationally recognized
How many are RAW, CIA agents - that is the question national security agencies should be asking.
Besides other countries, students from countries such as France, China, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Tunis and Uganda are also studying in Pakistani madrassas. correct this now,else Pakistan will be accused of funding terror in other countries,this is sad to see that they are in pakistan for madrassa education and not for scientific studies.
And who is funding these students and these madrassas, it is really strange that Pakistani madrassas offer such a high standard of education that these students are attracted to it from all over the world. What I see in Pakistan now a days some how does not conform to the Islamic ethics, to be more tolerant of other religions and it's followers, as a matter of fact these religious zealots has made life intolerable for minorities in Pakistan.I think it is time to look very closely into these madrassas and ask some very basic questions about their curriculum.