M Azam Tariq
The ongoing debate about the registration of seminaries in Pakistan has sparked significant tensions between political and religious factions. At the center of this controversy is the question of which government body should oversee these institutions. Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, a prominent cleric and political leader, insists that seminaries be registered under the Societies Act, which would place them under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industries and Production. On the other hand, the government advocates for seminaries to come under the purview of the Ministry of Education, arguing that these institutions are, in essence, religious schools and should therefore be regulated as such.
In an effort to strengthen its stance, the government has recently established a Directorate General of Religious Education within the Ministry of Education. This move is intended to streamline the oversight of seminaries and align their curricula with national educational standards. However, this decision has polarized the clerical community. While some support the government’s initiative, others, particularly those aligned with Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, view it as a direct threat to their autonomy and political influence.
The crux of the issue lies in the implications of such oversight. If seminaries are operated under the Ministry of Education, the means and methods of education would be determined by the ministry. This would inevitably include curriculum reforms, administrative restructuring, and accountability measures, which could dilute the traditional role of these institutions as centers of religious instruction. For political entities like the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), which derives much of its influence from seminaries, this poses a significant challenge. Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman and his party fear that such a shift could erode their support base, weakening their political clout.
By advocating for registration under the Ministry of Industries and Production, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman seeks to ensure that seminaries remain outside the direct control of the Ministry of Education. While this approach might still formalize the existence of these institutions, it would allow them to operate independently, free from government interference in their curricula or administration. This strategy is clearly aimed at preserving the political hegemony of the JUI-F, which is deeply intertwined with the network of seminaries across the country.
The government’s position, on the other hand, seems to be driven by a desire to modernize and regulate the seminary system. By bringing these institutions under the Ministry of Education, the government aims to integrate religious education with mainstream education, ensuring that students receive a more holistic and balanced education. This initiative could also be seen as an attempt to counter extremism and promote a narrative of tolerance and moderation, which has long been a challenge in the country’s religious discourse.
The situation has led to a bifurcation within the religious community. On one side is Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, who represents a traditionalist view and is fighting to maintain the status quo. On the other side is Tahir Ashrafi, a cleric who supports the government’s vision of reform. This division reflects deeper ideological and political fault lines within the country’s religious leadership. While Fazal-ur-Rehman represents a faction that sees the government’s move as a direct attack on their influence, Ashrafi and his supporters believe that reforms are necessary to bring religious education into the modern era.
The outcome of this power struggle remains uncertain. It could lead to a compromise, where seminaries are given some autonomy under the Ministry of Education, or it could result in a prolonged deadlock. There is also the possibility that the government’s push is part of a broader strategy to weaken the political dominance of the JUI-F, though this remains speculative at this stage.
One thing is clear: the registration of seminaries is more than just an administrative matter—it is a battle over the ideological and political future of Pakistan. The stakes are high, and the repercussions of this debate will likely shape the country’s religious and political landscape for years to come.
Writer is student at University of Sargodha.He can be approached at [email protected]
