Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman has claimed that the Madrassa Registration Bill has been legally approved, despite objections raised by President Asif Ali Zardari more than a month after the bill’s approval.

Speaking at a press conference in Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday, Rehman criticized the presidential objections, arguing that the bill would have become law automatically if no objections were raised within 10 days.

He stated that the bill had gone through all necessary stages, including drafting by the Ministry of Law and consultations with key stakeholders, including PPP leaders like President Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto. Rehman questioned the timing of the president’s objections, especially given the involvement of state institutions, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP, throughout the process.

“The draft was prepared by the government before the elections, and we accepted it despite our concerns. Why are they now distancing themselves?” he asked. “Why create new organizations for religious seminaries? Were state institutions involved in dividing these organizations?” he asserted.

Rehman further criticized the government for creating the draft of the bill while intentionally fostering divisions among seminaries. He emphasized that there was no conflict between his party and religious scholars, nor was there any dispute with religious institutions.

“The individuals who incited protests are responsible for this situation,” he said, referring to those who encouraged objections to the bill.

He also condemned the failure to implement key provisions of the agreement, particularly the inability to open bank accounts for seminaries or grant visas to foreign students. “The government has violated the terms of the agreement,” he added.