LAHORE: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has demanded “immediate passage” of the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024 on the registration of madrasas, warning the government of a “long march” if that happens. “Will be done. It fails to meet the demand.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore on Friday, JUI-F Secretary General Abdul Ghafoor Haidari expressed concern over the government’s “bad intentions” for delaying the passage of the madrassa registration bill.
He asserted that though the JUI-F did not want a confrontation, they would be forced to act if their demands were ignored. He urged the government to ensure speedy approval to prevent further unrest.
Meanwhile, a telephonic conversation took place between Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the party said.
According to a JUI-F spokesperson, Fazal expressed his concerns regarding the madrassa registration bill to the prime minister. The Prime Minister, in response, assured them of addressing all concerns regarding the bill.
He stressed that the government should avoid turning the ‘consensus bill’ into a controversial issue. He further said that no compromise will be allowed on freedom and independence of Madrasahs.
The Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024, was passed by the National Assembly and the Senate in October and its enactment was part of an agreement between the government and the religious political party in support of the 26th Amendment.
The warning came two days after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met Maulana Fazal at the latter’s residence in Islamabad, in which the latter asked the President on the registration bill for madrasas. Expressed reservations about not signing.
The JUI(F) chief said that despite the approval of the bill by both houses of Parliament, President Asif Ali Zardari did not sign it.
In response, Bilawal assured the cleric that he would take up the issue of signing the Madrasah Registration Bill with the government.
Meanwhile, another JUI(F) leader, Hafiz Hamdullah, questioned the government’s reluctance to sign the act, saying that the PPP and Bilawal were together until the bill was passed.
He suggested that Bilawal should talk to his father and play his role as this issue is related to the supremacy of Parliament, Fazal will be forced to take action.
It should be noted that Fazal had earlier said that if the government failed to sign the legislation by December 7, the party would announce the future course of action on December 8 in Peshawar.