Madaris to be registered under Societies Act as Zardari signs law

The long-standing debate over the registration of religious seminaries has been resolved with the signing of the Societies Registration Act 2024 into law by President Asif Zardari, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel on Sunday.

According to the channel report, with the president’s signature, the Societies Registration Bill has now become an official law. Under the new legislation, all religious seminaries will be registered in accordance with the Societies Act.

A spokesperson for the National Assembly stated that a gazette notification will soon be issued. The law ensures that seminaries’ registration processes align with modern governance practices under the Societies Act framework.

The channel reported that National Assembly's Legislation Advisor Muhammad Mushtaq wrote a letter to the Printing Corporation of Pakistan for a gazette notification.

Yesterday, Ulema Islam (JUI) President Fazlur Rehman, talking to the media personnel, said the Madrasah bill is being resolved amicably. He said he had not received a message from Imran Khan for a meeting.

“Even if Imran Khan wants to meet, I will make a thoughtful decision,” he said. Fazl said the JUI preferred institutions to individuals in the matter of the 26th Amendment. 

Fazl said, "Our grievance is that we were not even given a level playing field in the general elections.” “Some people were used in the elections; we refused to be used.”

The JUI head raised concerns about the surge in terrorism in KP, saying, "The government's writ is nowhere to be seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

Reporter: Usman Khan