Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Balochistan chapter today announced a province-wide protest movement on Friday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of government decisions concerning the registration of religious seminaries by May 02, warning of further action if their ultimatum is not met.
The provincial Ameer of JUI-F, Senator Moulana Abdul Wasey, declared this stance during a press conference in Quetta, accompanied by Senator Kamran Murtaza and other party dignitaries. Moulana Wasey stated that theological institutions across Balochistan have been subjected to raids and religious scholars harassed for the past week. He added that the Balochistan administration intends to register these establishments under new legislation, leading to the closure of unregistered madaris.
Senator Wasey emphasised that religious schools represent their “red line,” and any governmental interference in this domain would be unacceptable. He cautioned the authorities to reconsider their policies and promptly revoke the contentious statutes.
The JUI-F provincial head insisted that the government must not only withdraw the contested laws but also issue an apology by May 2. Failure to comply, he warned, would result in the announcement of the party”s next course of action during a meeting of the provincial Shura council.
Senator Kamran Murtaza, speaking at the event, highlighted that the 26th Constitutional Amendment contained five stipulations, including the safeguarding of seminaries. He noted that while progress had occurred at the federal level regarding these protections, their implementation at the provincial tier remained unachieved. Senator Murtaza also mentioned that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman had raised concerns about interference in seminary affairs with the US ambassador, who reportedly expressed unawareness of the issue.
JUI-F leaders unequivocally stated that religious institutions would not permit registration through the Education Department, as they operate under their own independent boards. Concurrently, the party declared a social boycott of the government and pledged to initiate a broader campaign against the new seminary regulations, as well as the recently introduced Mines and Minerals Act.