Maulana Fazlur Rehman Calls for Notification of Madrasah Registration Bill, Criticizes President Zardari

Islamabad: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), has demanded the government issue a notification for the Madrasah Registration Bill, which he claims has already been passed but is still awaiting the President’s approval. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, he warned that if the matter is not resolved soon, they would protest, even considering a trip to Islamabad if necessary.
Maulana Fazl stated that the bill for registering religious schools (madrasahs) had already been prepared by the government, but the matter had been unnecessarily complicated. He pointed out that the bill was drafted with the collaboration of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), but the real issue lies with President Asif Ali Zardari, who has yet to sign the bill into law.
“Our issue is not with the PPP or PML-N, but with President Asif Ali Zardari,” Maulana Fazl remarked, questioning why, after an amendment was passed, the President has not signed the bill. He emphasized that despite various meetings, including one with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the bill has been delayed by the President.
He further criticized the delay, asking why the President has sent the bill back to parliament for reconsideration when it had already been approved. “Can the President send the bill back to parliament twice? Doesn’t the bill become law once the President signs it?” he questioned.
Maulana Fazl also clarified that his party does not have any disagreements with individual madrasahs, organizations, or scholars. “We have made no mistakes; the responsibility lies solely with the President,” he said.
He added that they had accepted the draft of the bill prepared by the Ministry of Law, which had been agreed upon by both PPP and PML-N. Now, he said, there was no justification for further delays from the President.
In response to ongoing confusion, the JUI-F leader stressed that their commitment to supporting the registration of madrasahs remains firm, and the government must fulfill its agreements, which include opening bank accounts for madrasahs, offering foreign students long-term visas, and ensuring cooperation in registering new madrasahs. If the notification is not issued soon, Maulana Fazl warned that they would resort to legal action, including approaching the courts.
He concluded by stating that the bill had passed both the Senate and National Assembly and that the government must honor its commitments to the madrasah community.