CHARSADDA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has categorically rejected the government’s proposals regarding the Madrassah Bill and demanded complete transparency regarding the conditions set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Addressing a press conference in Charsadda on Monday, Fazlur Rehman ruled out any possibility of talks with the government, saying “we are not even ready to touch their draft with a pincer.”
Criticizing the government for withholding information from the public, he urged them to reveal the promises made to international bodies like FATF and IMF.
Fazlur also highlighted that all stakeholders have already agreed on the Madrassah Bill, including former Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, as well as the Senate and the National Assembly. However, he questioned why the President returned the bill with objections?
The JUI-F chief said the bill gives complete autonomy to madrasas, allowing them to be affiliated to any federal body, including the education ministry or under the 1860 Act, as they see fit. All madrasas are autonomous. There is no reason to object,” he added.
He accused the government of creating unnecessary disputes and trying to divide the Ulema (religious scholars). He revealed that a key announcement was postponed on the request of leading figures like Mufti Taqi Usmani and the president of the Federation of Madrasas, who have scheduled a crucial meeting on December 17 to finalise the decisions.
The Maulana said he wanted to regulate madrasas under the law, while the government wanted to regulate them through administrative orders. “We accepted their proposal to register madrasas under the education ministry, but they put us under a directorate through an executive order. Madrasas will not accept that,” he declared.
He further claimed that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies also agree with the provisions of the Madrasa Bill, expressing disappointment over the perceived dishonesty of the government. Why was this issue raised again when all the issues were settled unanimously? This is sheer bad faith,” he added.
Fazal stressed that the bill, which has already been passed by Parliament, is a victory for the autonomy of madrassas and should be maintained without interference. Reiterating his strong stance, he said, “We will not accept any proposal from the government. If they bring amendments, we will not even touch them with a pincer.
