During his visit to Jamia Binoria International on Saturday, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi was asked by the seminary’s principal Mufti Muhammad Naeem to lift the ban on foreign students willing to study at Pakistani madrasas and to ease the visa process for them.
Afridi, along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s local parliamentarians Ataullah Advocate and Malik Shahzad Awan, visited the seminary and met Naeem as well as the senior faculty members and students of the madrasa.
Naeem informed Afridi that the seminary is an international institute where students from 50 countries are getting religious education, and that the total strength of students at the madrasa and its branches is about 10,000.
“Religious seminaries, including Jamia Binoria, impart religious as well as modern education only to seek the pleasure of Allah. In addition to religious courses, students are also imparted knowledge of information technology and various languages.”
The seminary principal particularly raised the issue of visa for foreign students with the state minister. “Because of the restriction on visa for foreign students willing to study in Pakistani madrasas, now India is giving them visa on arrival at its airports,” claimed Naeem.
But he admitted that the current government has lessened the restrictions on visa issuance for foreign students. “The government should trust madrasas that are of good repute and issue them visas.”
Afridi said that his government will try to resolve the issues of visa for foreign students. He also said that it is unfortunate that madrasas are not given their due respect. “It is our responsibility to give respect to worship places and schools of all faiths — whether they are mosques or madrasas, churches or temples. In our government, madrasas will get equal respect similar to universities and colleges,” he said.
He also appreciated the performance of the Sindh Rangers, saying that the paramilitary force had played an important role for the restoration of peace in Karachi. A peaceful environment in the city has paved the way for the holding of the Pakistan Super League in the city, he added.
The minister said that the government will not compromise on the peace of Karachi and would not allow anyone to dictate decisions from abroad. He also criticised Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for alleged bad governance and corruption.
News Desk adds: Earlier, Afridi was the chief guest of the 26th passing-out ceremony of Sindh Rangers recruits that was held at the Rangers Training Centre & School. He was presented with the guard of honour by the smartly turned out contingents of soldiers.
After the guard of honour, he reviewed the passing-out parade with Sindh Rangers Director General Maj Gen Muhammad Saeed, the commandant of the Rangers Training Centre & School and the parade commander.
Later, the state minister gave away prizes to the passing-out recruits who demonstrated excellent performance during their training course. In his speech on the occasion, Afridi said that attending the passing-out parade of the Sindh Rangers was an honour and privilege for him.
He said that the passing-out recruits were becoming a part of a prestigious institution of the state, adding that the day’s event had proved to be a milestone for the future of Pakistan. He also said that the restoration of law and order in the province was a success of the Sindh Rangers. Pakistan too has witnessed the effects of the fifth-generation warfare, he added.
The minister said that the Sindh Rangers had achieved many precious and important successes, including the restoration of law and order in Karachi, adding that the successful holding of the Pakistan Super League matches in the metropolis had proved that the hustle and bustle of the city had been revived.
The chief guest also paid homage to the martyrs of the Sindh Rangers. He said that the Sindh Rangers, being an important paramilitary force of the country, had secured successes on the basis of its daring officers and personnel.
On the occasion, a splendid demonstration of rescue operation was presented by the Anti-Terrorist Wing of the Sindh Rangers. Among others, the ceremony was attended by senior officials of the law enforcement agencies, distinguished people from different walks of life, and the family members of the passing-out recruits.