LAHORE: The Punjab government has moved to significantly overhaul the registration process for religious seminaries, proposing key amendments to the Madrasa Registration Act aimed at eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and “double registration,” official sources revealed on Monday.
Under the proposed legal framework, madrasas already registered with the Federation of Madrasas or other recognized federal religious boards will no longer be required to seek separate registration under the Societies Registration Act in Punjab.
The initiative seeks to integrate provincial and federal databases, effectively granting provincial legal status to federal registrations. According to officials familiar with the development, the primary goal is to relieve administrators of the burden of redundant paperwork and repetitive verification cycles.
“A madrasa existing within the records of the Federal Registration Authority will be recognized automatically in Punjab,” a source stated. “This move is designed to create a ‘one-window’ feel for religious institutions that have long complained of administrative overreach.”
Key Features of the Proposal
– Exemption from Re-registration: Eliminates the need for madrasas with federal certification to apply anew at the provincial level.
– Data Integration: A comprehensive plan to link federal and provincial madrasa data to ensure transparency and real-time updates.
– Legal Alignment: Amendments to the Societies Registration Act to harmonize provincial laws with federal standards.
The Punjab Home Department confirmed that the draft amendments were finalized following extensive consultations with prominent religious scholars and madrasa administrators. The move is seen as a confidence-building measure between the state and religious circles.
The summary has been forwarded to the Punjab Cabinet, where Home Department officials are expected to provide a detailed briefing on the legal implications of the changes. Formal approval is anticipated in the coming sessions.
