Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the government is the biggest obstacle to the registration of religious seminaries.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that negotiations on the matter had been ongoing for over a month, with all government and opposition parties involved. He explained that negotiations in politics involve parties explaining their positions, and ultimately reaching a solution through dialogue.

He further stated that discussions regarding the madrassas bill had taken place, and that the government had raised three questions at the time. He emphasized their efforts to resolve all issues through mutual understanding.

He mentioned that all political parties were taken into confidence regarding the 26th Constitutional Amendment, but noted that the opposition’s largest party distanced itself from it. He reiterated his stance that the madrassas bill has already become an act.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman asserted that the government is the biggest hurdle in the registration of madrassas, citing negotiations between the government and madrassas in 2004 where the government questioned the curriculum of religious seminaries.

He clarified that they never demanded the exclusion of madrassas from the bill, and that they showed flexibility in their stance. He stated that the draft was not prepared by them but by the government, and that they accepted it. He mentioned that on October 28th, the President sent objections to the bill.

He further stated that dismantling organizations without taking them into confidence would only lead to independent madrassas. He claimed that they had stated they would not be a part of this legislation, and that the President’s office does not have the constitutional authority to raise further objections. He asserted that they are fighting for the rights of parliament and the constitution, and do not wish to see the constitution manipulated.

He stated that the law minister prepared the draft according to the agreement, and questioned why the gazette notification hasn’t been issued if the act has already been passed. He also questioned whether Pakistan’s legislation is being dictated by the IMF.