Govt settles differences with Fazl, approves madrasa registration bill

ISLAMABAD: The federal government, in a bid to end the ongoing controversy around the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024, approved on Friday amendments to the Societies Registration Act 1860, pertaing to the regisration of madrasas based on the law ministry’s recommendations.

The development came amidst the growing pressure from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who had urged the government to issue official gazatte notification of the madrasah bill.

This decision was made in the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.

Earlier, the government and the JUI-F had reached an agreement on the contentious Madrasa Registration Bill.

The consensus was reached during a meeting between JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Maulana Fazl had expressed optimism about the resolution of the issue.

“We held detailed discussions with the prime minister on the bill and urged the government to take a decisive move on the situation that has emerged. We are hopeful that our demands will be met, and good news will follow in a day or two,” he said. 

He said that objections raised by the president on the bill had already been addressed.

“After the speaker’s response and the lapse of the constitutional timeline, raising further objections is unwarranted. The bill concerning the registration of madaris has become an act, and its notification should now be issued,” he said. 

Earlier, Maulana Fazl said that the government was the biggest obstacle to the registration of madaris, and warned to take to the streets if any changes to the provisions of the “Madrasa Registration Bill” were made. 

Speaking in the National Assembly, he had expressed reservations about the House’s representation but acknowledged the parliamentary responsibilities shared by all members. “We are also part of this House,” he said. 

Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari had warned potential global implications over a bill regarding the registration and regulation of madrassas under Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024.

President Zardari had refused to sign the bill — passed by both house of parliament in October — and returned it to the National Assembly speaker, highlighting several flaws and procedural errors, contradicting the existing laws. The president had pointed out that the Pakistan Madrasah Educatio

The meeting also approved an amendment to the Income Tax Amendment Ordinance, which calls for imposing taxes on the profits of commercial banks.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz was also briefed on the current politico-economic developments in the country.