ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman revealed that the demands made by his party regarding the seminary registration bill are in line with the Constitution and will be accepted.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, Maulana Fazl stated that the prime minister had invited him to discuss the madrasa registration bill. He emphasized that significant progress had been made in the discussions.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that the matter be resolved promptly. The Ministry of Law has been instructed to take the necessary constitutional steps to address the issue,” said Fazl. The bill, which has already been passed by both houses of parliament, is now an act. The discussion with the prime minister was focused on the details of this bill.

Maulana Fazl also commented on objections raised by President Dr. Arif Alvi, saying, “If the president had any objections to the bill, he should have raised them earlier. Once the speaker has responded to the objection and the constitutional period has elapsed, further objections are invalid.”

The JUI-F chief expressed optimism that their stance on the bill would not necessitate a joint session of parliament. He further added that the prime minister had responded positively and had assured immediate constitutional action to address their demands.

The meeting was attended by JUI-F leaders, including Senator Kamran Murtaza and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri. From the government side, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Atta Tarar, and senior officials represented the ruling coalition.

Maulana Fazl had consulted with prominent scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani, before meeting with the prime minister to discuss the law.

The Ittehad Tanzeemat-i-Madaris Pakistan also shifted its 2019 stance, asserting that seminaries would remain autonomous and not become part of any government department

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 21 2024

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