Unregistered Madaris in Pakistan to be closed after December-31
Pakistan Times Staff Report

LAHORE: Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq said on Sunday no operation was under way against any Madrassa but warned unregistered religious seminaries would be closed after December 31, 2005 deadline.

Talking to journalists here, he said the government and the Tanzimatul Madaris were coordinating to remove the wrong impression about the religious seminaries.

"The Madrassa Registration Ordinance is issued with the consensus between the Centre and the provinces," he said, adding that NWFP Chief Minister Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman played their due role in this regard.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs would monitor the whole process while secretaries, appointed by their respective chief ministers, would coordinate with the ministry in the registration process in the provinces.

Registration Forms

Around 15,000 registration forms have also been provided to all the five Tanzimatul Madaris having 11,882 Madaris, he said and added that a Madrassa would now be registered within six days of its application.

The minister ruled out that terrorism was being emanated from the Madaris. He, however added some seminaries are involved in spreading sectarianism and hatred in the society. "Modern and up-to-date education would be introduced in the religious seminaries, the minister said.

Responding to a question, Ejaz said President Pervez Musharraf had given him the deadline of December-31, however, he would hopefully complete the registration process a month ahead of the set date.

Foreign students in various religious seminaries would be repatriated on completion of their relevant courses. While, no foreign student would be admitted to any Madrassa until a policy in this regard is formulated, he added.●