President Zardari Signs Landmark Seminary Registration Act into Law

In a significant move, President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024 into law, paving the way for the registration of madressahs across the country. The new law will bring madressahs under the Societies Registration Act, making it mandatory for them to register with the government. According to the key provisions of the law, madressahs founded before the act must register within six months, while those established after must do so within one year. Additionally, madressahs will be required to submit annual reports of educational activities and audit reports of accounts. The law also prohibits madressahs from teaching or publishing literature that promotes militancy or sectarianism. Furthermore, madressahs will have the option to register with either the education ministry or the industries ministry. The National Assembly is expected to issue an official gazette notification for the law, marking the final step in its implementation. This development is seen as a major step towards regulating and modernizing the country's madressah system, which has been a subject of controversy in recent years.