A meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman began at PM Office in Islamabad on Friday with focus on Madaris Registration Bill, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Senator Kamran Murtaza, Maulana Asad Mehmood and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri were part of JUI delegation. PM Shahbaz was being assisted by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General, Information Minister Atta Tarar, PM adviser Rana Sanaullah and Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq. PPP leaders Raja Pervez Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira are also attending the meeting. During the meeting, detailed consultations will be held on Madaris Registration Bill.
JU chief is expected to present the stance of the Ittehad Tanzeemat-e-Madaris before the Prime Minister. On the occasion, a lunch will also be hosted in honour of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Sources revealed that the agenda of the meeting includes a detailed consultation on the Madaris Registration Bill. Maulana Fazlur Rehman is expected to present the stance of the Ittehad Tanzeemat-e-Madaris to the Prime Minister.
Federal Minister for Interior Affairs Mohsin Naqvi will also participate in the discussions. JUI-F leaders Kamran Murtaza and Abdul Ghafoor Haideri will accompany Maulana Fazlur Rehman. On the government’s side, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah, the Attorney General, and other officials will be present.
Pertinent to mention here that on December 17, 2024, the central council of the Wafaq-ul-Madaris convened a significant meeting in Islamabad, presided over by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, with Maulana Fazlur Rehman attending as a special guest and reaffirmed the federation’s decisions and stance regarding madrasis.
It was decided to launch a nationwide public communication campaign to highlight the position of the Ittehad Organisation of Madrasahs.
This campaign will be incorporated into Friday gatherings, annual Khatam Bukhari ceremonies, and madrasa events to raise awareness.
The council demanded the immediate issuance of a gazette notification for the recently passed Madrasas Registration Bill Act, stressing that delays and obstructions in madrasa affairs would not be tolerated.
The federation also praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman for effectively representing the concerns of madrasas in Parliament. Officials reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the independence and freedom of religious schools, rejecting any form of interference or external dictation.
“All real boards and organisations of madrasis stand united,” stated the Majlis Amaila, warning that if their principled stance is not recognised, an agreed-upon plan of action will be announced through consultations among all schools of thought.
Prominent religious scholars and officials participated in the meeting, including Maulana Anwarul Haque, Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhri, Mufti Syed Mukhtaruddin Shah, Maulana Saeed Yusuf, and others.
The federation also reviewed educational and examination matters, expressing satisfaction over the record increase in student participation in annual exams compared to previous years.
This unified effort reflects the federation’s resolve to address challenges while promoting the role of madrasas in society.