Thousands gathered in Multan on Saturday for a convention on services and protection of religious schools organized by the Wafaq-ul-Madaris, where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressed people and issued a series of sharp warnings to the government and the policymakers.
Speaking at the event, Fazl framed the gathering as a defence of Pakistan’s Islamic foundations, saying the country was “created in the name of Islam” and recalling the sacrifices of “millions of people” for the cause. He criticized recent government moves and what he described as an international campaign to “provoke religious youth,” while urging clerics and the public to remain united.
Rejecting a recent Punjab government announcement to give away Rs25,000 each to imams of madrasas, Qari Hanif Jalandhari — present at the convention — and the JUI leader argued that the stipend amounted to “buying conscience.” “You are buying conscience for Rs25,000,” Fazl told the crowd, calling on supporters to resist what he called superficial measures that do not address deeper concerns.
The convention revisited historical developments in Islamic education, with speakers noting colonial-era interventions such as the establishment of Aligarh madrasa under British supervision, the introduction of altered curricula and the removal of Persian. Those changes, leaders said, helped spur the foundation of seminaries at Deoband and elsewhere as a response to threats to traditional religious learning.
Fazl also took aim at proposed social reforms and legislation. He questioned laws that would set marriage age restrictions — asking rhetorically whether such rules “should be made in Pakistan” — and raised objections to discussions on gender change, framing them as inconsistent with Islamic teachings.
Warning of escalating action if grievances are not addressed, Fazl told participants the movement is prepared to mobilize. “Do not force us to march to Islamabad,” he said, noting it would take his supporters “24 hours to reach Islamabad.” Organizers are reportedly still deciding the route and logistics for any large-scale gatherings.
The JUI leader called on people across Punjab — and especially South Punjab — to “wake up” and asserted that the seminaries and their unions would not accept “dummy madrasas.” He urged the nation to stay on what he described as the Islamic mainstream and cautioned against policies that, in his view, could lead the country “towards wars” or “slavery.”
Local officials said work continued at the convention centre while party and madrasa leaders discussed next steps. Fazl appealed for wider public awareness and unity, asserting that clerics and seminarians would “stand the nation with you” as they press their demands.
Organizers did not announce concrete follow-up actions at the close of the convention, but the speeches signalled an increased willingness among seminaries and allied political leaders to escalate protests if their concerns are not addressed by the government.