Secret Deal Exposed: Government’s 2019 Agreement with Madrasas Revealed

Islamabad (Daily Pakistan Online) A landmark agreement signed on August 29, 2019, between Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat Madrasas and the Pakistani government has shed light on a significant effort to regulate and modernize the country’s religious madrasas. The agreement, inked by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood during the PTI government, aimed to integrate madrasas with the Ministry of Education, promoting educational reforms and standardization.

Under the terms of the agreement, all religious madrasas were required to register with the Ministry of Education, establishing the ministry as the sole authority for collecting data on these institutions. A joint decision was made to close unregistered madrasas, while those violating rules and regulations faced cancellation of registration. The agreement also mandated the opening of bank accounts for madrasas, facilitating financial transactions and transparency.

Furthermore, the agreement allowed foreign students to pursue education in Pakistani madrasas, promoting cultural exchange and global understanding. The agreement set ambitious goals for implementing a uniform curriculum, ensuring quality education and bridging the gap between traditional and modern educational systems.

The government assured provision of financial assistance and resources to support the implementation of the agreement, acknowledging the importance of madrasas in Pakistan’s educational landscape. This historic agreement marked a significant step towards mainstreaming madrasas into the country’s formal education framework, addressing concerns about extremism and promoting inclusive education.