Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a federal cabinet meeting on Friday, during which a presidential ordinance for registering seminaries was approved. This decision underscores the government’s commitment to more effectively regulating educational institutions.
The cabinet approved two crucial presidential ordinances. The first, the Societies Registration Amendment, focuses specifically on seminary registration. The second is the Income Tax Ordinance, which is designed to enhance the government’s ability to collect taxes and target an additional Rs70 billion in bank profit.
Prime Minister Sharif recently met with President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the seminary bill and other significant issues. Following these discussions, the federal government concurred with all the proposals Ittehad Tanzeemat Madaaris Deenia (ITMD) proposed regarding the bill.
Read: JUI-F Threatens March Over Madrassa Registration Bill Delays
Reports indicate that assurances have been provided to register seminaries under the Societies Act, a critical concern for ITMD. Additionally, it has been confirmed that there will be no joint session of Parliament to deliberate on this issue. A formal notification under the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment is expected soon, solidifying this agreement.
The National Assembly had previously passed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024. However, President Zardari returned the bill with reservations, citing potential conflicts and concerns over its implications on existing laws governing seminaries. One of his primary concerns was the contradictory definitions of a seminary within various bill clauses. He also noted that the existing Madrassa Education Board Ordinance 2001 renders new legislation unnecessary.
