The federal government is set to introduce a presidential ordinance for the registration of madressahs, with the Ministry of Law tasked with its preparation.

This decision follows a successful agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) on a madressahs registration bill, allowing the President to either issue an amendment ordinance or present a bill in Parliament. The ordinance aims to permit madressahs to register under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, providing legal protection to those wishing to affiliate with the Ministry of Education’s current system.

Sources indicated that Former President Asif Zardari will issue this ordinance. At present, no law governs the registration of madressahs linked to the Ministry of Education, which is currently being conducted by a directorate established through a federal cabinet decision after negotiations between religious scholars and the government.

This ordinance will create a legal framework for registering madressahs connected to the Ministry and address the President’s concerns regarding the madressah registration bill.

The decision emerged from meetings involving the Prime Minister, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Zardari. Stakeholders, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, have reportedly reached a consensus on the ordinance.

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The new ordinance will provide legal safeguards for madressahs under the Directorate General of Religious Education and the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024. In October, Maulana Fazlur Rehman successfully utilized his party’s voting power to ensure the approval of a bill amending the Society Act for madressahs registration as part of the 26th constitutional amendment.

The madressahs registration bill received Senate approval on October 20 and was passed by the National Assembly the next day, after which it was sent to President Alvi for his signature. However, the President has not yet signed the bill, preventing it from becoming law.