By 
16-12-2024
Hailey Archer
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
There is a new challenge that has arisen following the country wide Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests; there is an attempt to pass a new bill concerning the registration of religious seminaries (also known as madrasas) in Pakistan (Hussain, 2024). The leader of the political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF), Fazal-ur-Rehman, is the one pushing for this amendment to the registration process (Hussain, 2024). When the bill was introduced in October, the President Asif Ali Zardari objected on a few technicalities, therefore causing the bill to return to parliament for further review (Hussain, 2024). While it was under review the Prime Minister also raised some concerns (Hussian, 2024). Rehman, leader of the JUI-F, has engaged with the Prime Minister and other government officials to advocate for this new bill, emphasising the importance of preserving the autonomy of madrasas (Hussain, 2024).
The madrasa bill has become a point of conflict between the JUID and the Pakistani government; it has already been passed by both chambers of parliament (The News, 2024). Due to the objections of the President, and his refusal to sign it, the bill needs to be presented at a joint session of parliament (The News, 2024). The discussions and controversies surrounding the passing of the madrasa registration bill have raised concerns among the JUI-F and others about the parliament’s lack of independence and its inability to effectively create and govern laws (The News, 2024).
Sources and further readings:
Hussain, A. (December 13, 2024). Why a bill on religious seminaries is Pakistan’s latest flashpoint. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/13/why-a-bill-on-religious-seminaries-is-pakistans-latest-flashpoint
Joint session likely on 17th amid deadlock on madrasa bill. (December 15, 2024). The News. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1261756-joint-session-likely-on-17th-amid-deadlock-on-madrasa-bill
JUI-F seeks PTI’s assistance for legislation on seminaries bill. (December 14, 2024). Dunya News. https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/856633-juif-seeks-ptis-assistance-over-legislation-on-seminaries-bill
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