ISLAMABAD PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, along with his delegation, met Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the matter of the Madrasa Registration Bill.
According to a news report, sources claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman was displeased with President Asif Ali Zardari’s failure to sign the Madrasa Registration Bill.
In this regard, Bilawal Bhutto visited Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence, where the two discussed the bill. Bilawal also briefed the JUI-F chief on the madrasa registration issue, following prior telephonic contact between the two leaders.
The meeting between the leaders lasted for two hours, after which Bilawal Bhutto departed without speaking to the media.
JUI-F leader Senator Kamran Murtaza told journalists that Bilawal Bhutto stands with them on the madrasa issue, as he has in the past, adding that the President represents the state, not the PPP.
It is noteworthy that last week, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the government’s withdrawal from legislative points agreed upon during the approval of the 26th Amendment, and its objections to the unanimously drafted madrasa bill, could create serious challenges for it.
In response to a question about President Zardari’s delay in signing the madrasa-related bill, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that if the bill is not signed by tomorrow, it will be discussed in the upcoming conference.
Answering another question, he remarked that the government had shown its intent by withdrawing from key points in the 26th Amendment, agreeing to only 22 of 56 clauses, with five additional points later incorporated by the JUI-F. Subsequently, the government passed legislation and enacted laws contrary to the essence of the Constitution and the spirit of the 26th Amendment.
Continuing his remarks, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Asif Zardari should sign these laws and the madrasa draft agreed upon during the PDM government, in PPP’s presence before the elections. He highlighted the consensus achieved after five-hour meetings at Bilawal House and another in Lahore at Nawaz Sharif’s residence. He warned that raising objections now could backfire and complicate matters, emphasizing that resolving these issues won’t be easy. Maulana reiterated that he would address the matter tomorrow.
