JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the government for delaying the notification of the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024. He stated that the bill, returned twice by the president, has already become law.
Speaking at a press conference in Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday, Rehman urged the government to issue the notification immediately. He emphasized that a bill automatically becomes an act if not signed within ten days.
Rehman accused the government and certain institutions of disregarding the Constitution to protect their own interests. “They are ridiculing the Constitution,” he said. He warned that if the government continued its hesitation, he would take the matter to court. Rehman also questioned why no objections were raised when the bill was voted on in parliament.
The madrassa bill, aimed at streamlining seminaries, was passed by both houses of parliament. Rehman reminded the government that its implementation was part of the agreement with JUI-F in exchange for support on the 26th Amendment. He criticized the government for failing to act on key provisions, like allowing madrassas to open bank accounts under Wafaqul Madaris. “Has any seminary’s bank account been opened?” he asked.
Rehman also doubted the president’s authority to return a bill twice, pointing out that the Senate acting chairman had addressed the first objection. He cited an earlier example where a bill became law despite former President Arif Alvi not signing it within ten days.
He accused the government of yielding to foreign pressure. “We know whose instructions are behind these efforts to derail the madrassa bill — the IMF, FATF, and America,” he alleged.
Rehman expressed frustration with the Law Ministry’s draft, which JUI-F had reluctantly approved, and questioned President Zardari’s reservations. “I don’t understand what objections remain,” he said. Rehman warned that if his party’s concerns continued to be ignored, his response would become less accommodating.
