Punjab Government Assures Non-Interference in Madrassa System, Pledges No Change to Religious Curriculum

Lahore: The Punjab government has assured religious scholars and madrassa boards that it has no intention of interfering in the madrassa system or making any changes to the religious curriculum, according to a joint communiqué issued after an important meeting between the provincial government and representatives of various madrassa boards.

As reported by Express News, the meeting was held to address matters related to madrassas and mosques through dialogue and mutual understanding. The session was chaired by Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq and attended by Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, along with representatives of 10 Arab madrassas and 15 madrassa boards.

The communiqué stated that the Punjab government does not seek to interfere in the operational system of madrassas, nor is any change to the religious curriculum part of its agenda. Participants agreed to complete the madrassa registration process at the earliest and to ensure that all decisions are made through consultation, trust, and unity.

It was further agreed that issues related to madrassas and mosques would be resolved through negotiations and mutual consensus. The communiqué clarified that madrassa registration would continue under the Madrassa Registration Act or the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) system. It was noted that more than 20,000 madrassas have already been registered under the DGRE framework.

The statement emphasized that the government has no plan to take control of madrassas or mosques and that there will be no interference in religious education. All future measures concerning madrassas and mosques will be taken in consultation with all boards to maintain confidence and harmony.

Participants welcomed the government’s initiative to provide honorariums to mosque imams, calling it a step in the right direction, while opposing any pressure on those imams who choose not to accept the honorarium. The meeting also decided to further strengthen coordination and communication between madrassas and the government.