Fazl expresses optimism about approval of madrassa bill

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has expressed confidence in the resolution of issues surrounding the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024, which focuses on the registration of seminaries. The optimism follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to expedite the matter.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the premier on Friday, Fazlur Rehman stated, “Hopefully, practical steps in accordance with the constitution will be taken as per our demands.”

The meeting, convened at the Prime Minister’s request, followed discussions between the government and the JUI-F over the contentious madrassa registration bill. Attendees included National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser Rana Sanaullah, and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan. JUI-F representatives Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Kamran Murtaza, along with PPP leaders Raja Pervez Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira, were also present.

The Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, passed by both houses of parliament, has been a source of friction between the JUI-F and the government. Previously, Fazlur Rehman stated that the legislation’s enactment was tied to the party’s agreement with the government in exchange for supporting the 26th Amendment.