President Asif Ali Zardari Raises Multiple Objections to Madrasah Registration Bill

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has raised significant objections to the Madrasah Registration Bill, refusing to sign it and sending it back for reconsideration. In his objections, the President highlighted eight key concerns regarding the bill.
One of the main issues President Zardari raised is the contradiction in the definition of “madrasah” in the new bill. He pointed out that the term “madrasah” is not included in the Societies Registration Act of 1860, and its inclusion in the new bill could create inconsistencies. He also noted that the Madrasah Education Board Ordinance of 2001 already exists, suggesting that the new law might be redundant.
Additionally, President Zardari expressed concerns over the potential misuse of registration through the bill. He stated that under the existing law, madrasahs could be registered as societies, which could lead to purposes other than education. He also pointed out that the Societies Registration Act of 1860 does not mention madrasahs, which could complicate the registration process.
The President further warned that the bill might lead to the spread of sectarianism, as registering madrasahs under the same society could create conflicts of interest. He also raised fears about the impact on Pakistan’s international reputation, specifically the possibility of changes in the country’s ratings by global organizations like FATF and GSP.
Zardari expressed concerns that implementing the registration under this bill could weaken legal enforcement, potentially allowing arbitrary actions rather than upholding the rule of law. Finally, he cautioned that the construction of multiple madrasahs under one society could disrupt public order and security.
These objections highlight the complexities and potential challenges in implementing the Madrasah Registration Bill as proposed.