Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, stated that there will be no compromise on the registration of religious schools (madrasahs). In a recent statement, he clarified that the issue at hand was not the registration of madrasahs but rather the negative legislation being proposed concerning those institutions that are already affiliated with the Ministry of Education.
Tahir Ashrafi emphasized that religious schools conduct their audits regularly and that their financial records are open to scrutiny. He added that if anyone wishes to inspect the accounts of these institutions, there should be no objections, as transparency is maintained.
The Chairman further asserted that no foreign power has the right to interfere in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, especially in the matters of its educational system. He also clarified that there had never been any complaints from madrasahs regarding the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the past, nor are there any such issues at present.
Ashrafi pointed out that resorting to abusive language and accusations would not resolve the issues faced by madrasahs. He urged for constructive dialogue and collaboration to address the concerns of religious educational institutions while maintaining their integrity and autonomy.
This statement from the Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman comes at a time when the debate over the regulation and registration of madrasahs continues to stir discussions, with various political and social groups weighing in on the matter. Ashrafi’s position emphasizes the need for balanced and fair legislative processes to ensure the freedom of religious education in the country.
