Madrassah politics

The madrassah registration bill has become a lightning rod for controversy, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman describing the situation as a conspiracy to divide Pakistan’s ulema. Over this past weekend, Maulana Fazl issued a one-day ultimatum to the government to finalise the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024. While he has postponed his call for protests following assurances that the matter will be resolved, matters are still very much up in the air. At the heart of the matter is the demand for President Asif Zardari to sign the bill, which was passed by both the National Assembly and Senate in October. The president, however, sent the bill back to the federal government, citing objections – most notably regarding the jurisdiction of madrassah registration. This controversy has laid bare deeper issues that go beyond bureaucratic technicalities. For decades, the state has both appeased and exploited the religious right, creating a sense of entitlement among religious political groups that have often found themselves at the centre of state patronage. This history has led to a pervasive belief in their own exceptionalism – a perception that is difficult to shake when the state repeatedly cedes ground.

The madrassah registration issue is emblematic of this imbalance. Madrassahs are centres of education, and as such, their registration under the Ministry of Education – consistent with Pakistan’s education policy – seems logical. Yet, disagreements persist. One faction of the ulema supports registering madrassahs under the education ministry, as agreed in a 2019 accord between the PTI government and the Ittehad Tanzimat Madaris (ITM). Another argues for alternative registration authorities. Over 18,000 seminaries are currently registered with the education ministry, but this discord undermines the standardisation needed to ensure accountability and compliance with international standards. Pakistan cannot afford to politicise this issue further. Ensuring proper registration and mainstreaming of madrassahs is critical not only for the education system but also for Pakistan’s international obligations and security concerns. Allowing seminaries to operate outside proper regulatory frameworks risks exposing the country to vulnerabilities, particularly with international financial scrutiny still fresh.

The government’s mishandling of the issue has exacerbated tensions. By promising the JUI-F concessions without fully considering the provincial subject of education, the government has invited unnecessary complications. While a middle ground is likely, the state’s repeated tendency to defer and delay only fuels distrust and ends up in greater demands. This matter must be resolved without further delay. The madrassah registration bill is not just a matter of administrative alignment but a test of whether the state can prioritise rule of law over political expediency.