PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticised the President’s Office over the delay in approving the Madrassa Registration Bill, which he said was passed unanimously by both houses of parliament after a thorough debate.
Speaking in Peshawar during an anti-Israel conference, he accused the president of acting in bad faith by withholding his signature, despite extensive deliberations, including a five-hour discussion with Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
“The Madrassa Registration Bill represents a consensus across the political spectrum, and its delay raises serious concerns,” Maulana Fazl said.
He said that a strategy regarding a protest would be finalised during an upcoming meeting of madrassa representatives.
“If necessary, we will march on Islamabad. Threats will not deter us; we do not fear intimidation,” he warned, stressing that interference in religious seminaries would not be tolerated.
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On the Madrassa Registration Bill, he reiterated that it was passed with the agreement of all political parties and resolved outstanding issues concerning the autonomy and registration of seminaries.
“We agreed on linking madrassa registration with the Ministry of Education while ensuring their independence. Yet, the government’s inaction and deceit have undermined this agreement,” he said.
He warned the government against further delay, calling out what he described as bureaucratic manipulation.
“You have deceived us by violating agreements. We gave concessions in good faith, but your failure to act on key issues, such as issuing visas for foreign students and enabling bank accounts for seminaries, shows your dishonesty,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment to defending the rights of madrassas, Maulana Fazl said, “The religious schools are not subordinate institutions; they are independent. If we march on Islamabad, your bullets may run out, but our resolve will not.”
He called for immediate action and accountability, giving the government a short window to address concerns. “Mend your ways, or we will take matters into our own hands,” he said.
During his speech, Maulana Fazl expressed solidarity with Palestinians, saying, “We stand with the people of Palestine and will continue to support them.”
He criticized the West for its role in global conflicts, accusing it of hypocrisy. “The United States and Britain support Israel in its genocide against Palestinians, bombing innocent children and killing over 50,000 people. They have no moral ground to speak about human rights,” he said.
He also accused former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf of compromising Pakistan’s sovereignty by allowing the US to use Pakistani airbases and airspace. “We opposed Musharraf then, and if such actions are repeated, we will resist again,” he said.
He also criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s alliance with Israel and questioned why the current government was not openly opposing Tel Aviv.