Following the promulgation of the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024, by the president, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has intensified efforts for legislation to register madrassas at the provincial level.
After the federal government’s notification of the madrassa registration bill, the JUI-F has prepared a draft law aimed at regulating Islamic schools in provinces.
The proposed legislation, titled the “Societies Registration Amendment Act, 2025,” mandates the registration of unregistered seminaries within six months. However, madrassas already registered with the federal government would not need to reapply.
According to the draft, unregistered madrassas must register with the Directorate under the Ministry of Education, while seminaries with multiple campuses would require a single registration.
Under the JUI-F’s proposed law, seminaries must submit audit reports and copies to the registrar.
Additionally, the draft calls for restrictions on content promoting militancy, sectarianism, and religious hatred in madrassas. It also outlines a phased integration of new subjects into the curriculum.
This development comes after JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman engaged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address seminaries’ registration issues in provinces. Fazl emphasized the need for provincial assemblies to legislate similar to federal measures.
In response, Shehbaz assured that he would consult provincial chief ministers on the matter to align their efforts with federal legislation.
The madrassa registration ordinance, issued earlier by the president, was initially contested by JUI-F and the government due to legal objections. However, consensus was reached, making it law.
The legislation amends the process for madrassa registration under the Ministry of Education and fulfills an agreement between the government and JUI-F for supporting the 26th Amendment.
