Federal government has agreed to all demands presented by Ittehad Tanzeemat Madaaris Deenia (ITMD) regarding Seminary bill.
Reports indicate that assurances have been provided that seminaries will be registered under the Societies Act, addressing a major concern of the organization.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that no joint session of Parliament will be held to deliberate on this issue.
A notification formalizing the agreement is expected soon, in line with the proposed amendments under the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Earlier, on December 21, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss concerns surrounding the Seminary Registration Bill.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman led a delegation that included Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri and Senator Kamran Murtaza.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of resolving the matter promptly and instructed the Ministry of Law to address the concerns in accordance with legal and constitutional provisions.
Prominent leaders from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), including Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira, along with PML-N leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Information Minister Atta Tarar, attended the meeting.
Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s adviser, and Attorney General Mansoor Usman were also present.
Reports had earlier said that PM Shehbaz contacted the JUI-F chief to discuss the Seminary Registration Bill.
Following the contact, Fazlur Rehman held a prolonged discussion with the Wafaqul Madaris officials before meeting PM Shehbaz Sharif.
The government is trying to address the concerns of the religious parties on the Seminary Registration Bill.
The parliament had passed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which was sent to President Asif Ali Zardari for his assent but he returned the bill to the National Assembly citing concerns.
The president’s concerns revolve around the bill’s potential to create conflicts and undermine the existing laws governing seminaries.
One of the primary concerns raised by the President is the contradiction in the definition of a seminary within the bill’s various clauses. He also pointed out that the Madrassa Education Board Ordinance 2001 already exists, making new legislation unnecessary.
