DI KHAN: With the JUI-F and the government still fighting over the Community Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, party leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman asked the ruling party to notify the controversial bill. be the law of the assembly”.
“The bill will not automatically become law if it is not approved within 10 days,” the religious-political leader said at a press conference on Thursday.
The controversial madrassa bill, which has been passed by both houses of parliament, has become a bone of contention between the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) and the government. Fazl said the adoption was part of an agreement between the government and political-religious parties to support the 26th amendment.
After being approved by parliament, the bill required the president to sign it into law, but President Asif Ali Zardari withdrew the bill earlier this month, citing legal objections. According to the constitution, the bill must be prepared before the parliament, which is implemented after the president refuses to sign it.
Article 75(2) of the constitution of Pakistan states: “When the President returns a bill to the Majlis-e-Shora (Majlis), it shall be revised by the Majlis-e-Shora (Majlis) together, and if by the Majlis-e-Shora (Majlis), or and adopted without amendment by a majority of the members of both houses present and voting, shall be considered for the purposes of the constitution; Both houses shall be submitted to the President, and the President shall give his assent within ten days, otherwise such assent shall be deemed to have been given.”
The new bill changes the madrasa registration rules with the Ministry of Education, stating that they should be linked to departmental ministries rather than institutions.
Speaking to the media today, Fazl asked whether the president could return the bill twice under protest. “The Acting President of the Senate returned the bill to the President after signing the first objection,” he said.
He also said the case of former president Arif Alvi refused to sign the law and the government still reports in 10 days. “We believe that this law has been passed and that notice should be given in this case.”
The JUI-F chief said that if the government did not want to give the ball, it would move the court, asking why the ruling party did not challenge its nomination in Parliament.
Fazl also said that the government and institutions “disrespect” the constitution, laws and the party because they are “not serious” about important issues.
The bill was approved by the Ministry of Law, which was passed despite the registration of the JUI-F, he asked what is the “opposition limit” of President Zardari to the legislation.
Referring to the Ulama conference recently, he told the Ulama that “those who incited you are responsible for the Madrasah Bill”.
In addition, the agreement between the government and JUI-F states that the bank accounts of all madrasahs must be opened. “Tell me, is the Wifaq Ul Madaris seminar account open?”
Earlier this week, the Madrasah Registration and Reform Conference issued a resolution calling on the government to maintain the existing religious school system and that the principal should not be removed under any circumstances.
The resolution passed by the council requires the seminars to be linked with the Ministry of Education.
The much-discussed legislation is a modified version of the Societies Registration Act of 1860, which mandates that madrasahs (Islamic seminaries) be registered “within six months” of its enactment.
It was also announced that Deeni Madrassas established after the commencement of the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024 will be registered “within one year of establishment”.
It states that seminaries with more than one campus need only one registration.
Finally, each madrasah must submit an annual report of academic activities and an audit report to the registrar.
In the Law, Madrasah Deeni is defined as a religious institution established or operated for the purpose of religious education, mainly providing boarding and residential facilities.
