Seminary enrollment: Over 2,600 foreigners attending madrassas
Afghans constitute largest contingent, Balochistan counted as biggest host province.
ISLAMABAD:
Around 2,673 foreign students from more than 35 different countries are studying in Pakistani madrassas, according to a list submitted by the interior ministry to the National Assembly on Saturday.
Nearly half of these foreign students or 1,272 as counted by the ministry are from neighbouring Afghanistan. Of those, 1,147 Afghan students are enrolled at madrassas in Balochistan province, while 123 are studying in Islamabad’s madrassas. The remaining two students are enrolled in Azad Kashmir’s madrassas. Interestingly, all foreign students listed in Balochistan are of Afghan origin, according to the report compiled by the interior ministry.
The second largest contingent of foreign students is drawn from Thailand. Some 97 Thai students are studying in religious seminaries of Punjab, while the remaining four are studying in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa.
Around 1,000 foreign students are studying in Sindh, but a list indicating their place of origin has not yet been prepared by the home ministry. However, the list does indicate that, after Balochistan, Sindh has become second biggest host province for foreigners.
Meanwhile, there are 396 foreign students enrolled in Punjab’s madrassas. Punjab consists of the most diverse group, with students representing every country on the list.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.
Around 2,673 foreign students from more than 35 different countries are studying in Pakistani madrassas, according to a list submitted by the interior ministry to the National Assembly on Saturday.
Nearly half of these foreign students or 1,272 as counted by the ministry are from neighbouring Afghanistan. Of those, 1,147 Afghan students are enrolled at madrassas in Balochistan province, while 123 are studying in Islamabad’s madrassas. The remaining two students are enrolled in Azad Kashmir’s madrassas. Interestingly, all foreign students listed in Balochistan are of Afghan origin, according to the report compiled by the interior ministry.
The second largest contingent of foreign students is drawn from Thailand. Some 97 Thai students are studying in religious seminaries of Punjab, while the remaining four are studying in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa.
Around 1,000 foreign students are studying in Sindh, but a list indicating their place of origin has not yet been prepared by the home ministry. However, the list does indicate that, after Balochistan, Sindh has become second biggest host province for foreigners.
Meanwhile, there are 396 foreign students enrolled in Punjab’s madrassas. Punjab consists of the most diverse group, with students representing every country on the list.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.