JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza Criticizes Government for Staging a ‘Drama’ Over Bill

Islamabad:Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza has expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the recently introduced bill, saying that the government staged a “drama” by convening a session against its own proposed legislation. Murtaza clarified that while the bill was brought in response to JUI-F’s demand, it was still a government bill.

In response to a question about a recent statement made by Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Kamran Murtaza said that he did not wish to engage with Ashrafi, adding that his services have always been available to every government.

This exchange follows remarks by Ashrafi, who had stated that if Maulana Fazlur Rehman wanted to push for separate legislation, it was up to the government to decide its stance, and he would not like to add any bitterness to the situation. Ashrafi emphasized that issues should be resolved through mutual understanding and dialogue.

Furthermore, Ashrafi rejected the government’s attempt to transfer the registration of madrasahs from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Industries. He stressed that the proposal was unacceptable to the religious community.

Ashrafi also pointed out that while political parties may have more manpower in the field, the religious scholars’ forum has millions of followers in its network of madrasahs across the country. He warned the government that if it sought to mobilize thousands of people, the religious community could easily bring tens of thousands to Islamabad from the thousands of madrasahs located across the country.

Ashrafi made it clear that religious leaders did not want to engage in large-scale protests or rallies. “We wish to separate education from politics,” he said, emphasizing that the focus should be on education in educational spaces and on politics in the political arena.

The situation continues to escalate as tensions rise between the religious leaders and the government over issues related to madrasah registration and political maneuvering. Both sides are digging in their heels, suggesting that the matter may lead to further confrontations.