Latest news with #SocietiesRegistration(Amendment)Bill
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate passes bill on seminary registration
The TEVTA would also start training programmes for seminary teachers in the coming days PHOTO: ONLINE Listen to article The Senate on Friday passed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which stipulates Deeni Madaris already registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or those opting for direct registration with the Directorate General of Religious Education, will be deemed duly registered. Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, while presenting the bill, informed the Senate that two parallel streams exist for seminary registration: one includes religious seminaries affiliated with the federal government, functioning under a structured system and registered through formal procedures. According to the statement of objects and reasons, Deeni Madaris have been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. However, it is proposed that those Madaris and Wafaqs already registered or desirous to get registered directly with Directorate General of Religious Education, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional training shall be reckoned to have been registered. Tarar said the second stream emerged after the Army Public School (APS) attack, when the National Action Plan called for reforms to introduce contemporary subjects and government-prepared syllabi in madrassahs to align religious education with modern academic needs. He said religious boards, including Wafaq-ul-Madaris, agreed to the reforms, and a policy shift later made madrassah registration mandatory, resulting in thousands being registered. Institutions opting to remain under their internal boards could still register under the traditional Societies Registration Act, but must meet standard requirements like clearance from the deputy commissioner and district security committee. He said, "In the case of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), it has been ensured that registration takes place under the Societies Registration Act through the Directorate of Religious Education." He added that although the earlier registration process was discontinued temporarily, both streams now remain functional in many areas. "There may be slight differences in the forms, but the main objective is the same: ensuring students at seminaries receive a verified syllabus that includes modern subjects and access to qualified teachers." Multiple reports Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control presented several reports of the committee on various legislative bills in the Upper House on Friday. On behalf of Chairman committee Faisal Saleem Rehman, Senator Shahdat Awan presented the report of the committee on the National Occupational Health and Safety Bill, 2023, which was introduced by Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur on November 27, 2023. Senator Shahdat Awan presented another report on a bill to further amend the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 [The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024], introduced by Senator Fawzia Arshad on June 10, 2024, on behalf of Senator Saleem Rehman. The bill proposes the insertion of new sections 344B, 344C, 344D, and 344E into the Code. Shahadat Awan presented another report on a bill to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 [The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024], moved by Senator Palwasha Mohammed Zai Khan on September 2, 2024. On behalf of Chairman, Senator Shahadat Awan presented the committee's report on protection of Shamilat Land Protection Bill, 2024, also introduced by Senator Palwasha Mohammed Zai Khan. The bill aims to protect Shamilat lands in Islamabad Capital Territory from encroachment by converting them into forests, parks, playgrounds, and community centers.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gilani distanced himself from over 600pc pay raise
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani has distanced himself from over 600 percent raise in his salary, saying he has 'nothing to do' with this development. 'I was not consulted by anyone in this regard. I have nothing to do with my salary raise,' Gilani told the media, when asked about unprecedented raise in his salary, on the sidelines of the Senate session on Friday. Asked whether he was going to 'reverse' this raise by returning the increased salary, Gilani replied, 'get it reversed, it would be a good thing to do.' Federal government as well as the custodians of the two Houses of the Parliament are under massive public criticism following the surfacing of a government notification from last month in which over 600 percent increase in the salaries of the chairman Senate, speaker National Assembly, deputy chairman Senate and deputy speaker NA was notified. Conspicuously, feeling the heat of public criticism, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif joined the public circles in slamming this raise, terming it 'financial vulgarity,' in a recent post on X. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also appeared 'defensive'— with reports suggesting that the PM 'took notice' of the matter, and ordered an inquiry into massive pay raise and other perks for NA speaker and deputy speaker as well as Senate chairman and deputy chairman. 'I respect the defence minister — but I have nothing to do with the pay raise,' Gilani told reporters on Friday. Meanwhile, the chairman Senate presided over the Senate session. The House unanimously passed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Law Minister Azam Tarar. The bill deals with the registration of religious seminaries. Last December, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had announced the plan to launch a protest movement to push the government to enact this legislation. Later, he postponed the planned protest reportedly after the government assured him to resolve the matter. The House also passed a unanimous resolution in condemnation of Israel's attack on Iran. Moved by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the resolution expressed concern over what it described was inaction of Muslim world against genocide of Palestinians, 'which has now led Israel to attack another sovereign Muslim state Iran.' 'The world and Muslim Ummah are witnessing the slaughter of innocent children and civilians in Gaza for the last two years on an unimaginable scale,' said the resolution. The House, through its resolution, said it stands resolute with Iranian brethren and supports their right to defend themselves against Israeli aggression. Earlier, the House commenced discussion on the proposed federal budget in which senators from different political parties participated. The Senate was adjourned till Monday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
