President Asif Ali Zardari has officially signed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024 into law, introducing significant reforms to the regulation of religious seminaries (madrassas) in Pakistan. This legislative milestone is expected to bring better oversight and standardization to religious education across the country.
Key Features of the Law
The newly enacted law mandates that:
- All religious seminaries must register under the Societies Registration Act.
- Existing madrassas have six months to complete their registration process.
- New madrassas have up to one year from their establishment to register.
The framework ensures that madrassas operate under a systematic regulatory process, while maintaining transparency in their operations.
Implementation and Oversight
Unlike previous reforms, which placed madrassa oversight under the Ministry of Education, this law transfers the responsibility to the Ministry of Industries. This move is aimed at streamlining the regulatory process while addressing autonomy concerns raised by religious institutions.
The government hopes the systematic registration process will enhance accountability without compromising the traditional values of these institutions.
Political and Historical Significance
The passage of this bill marks a major political win for religious parties, especially the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), which pushed for these amendments. The legislation was reportedly a key condition for JUI-F’s support in the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
This reform rolls back the 2019 amendments that brought madrassas under the Ministry of Education’s jurisdiction. By restoring their operational independence, the new law aims to balance autonomy with accountability.
Impact on Religious Education
This law is expected to stabilize the religious education sector by:
- Ensuring standardized registration and operational oversight.
- Protecting institutional autonomy while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Strengthening the transparency of madrassas to foster public trust.
The Societies Registration Act 2024 is a significant step toward reforming Pakistan’s religious education system. By providing a balanced framework for oversight and autonomy, the government hopes to modernize madrassas while respecting their traditional roles. This development demonstrates Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to improving educational standards and governance.
For further updates, stay tuned to official government announcements.
