Madaris not registered to be considered illegal after Jan 1: Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik on Monday said the madaris which are not registered with Wafaqul/Tanzeemul Madaris would be considered illegal after January 1,2012.Talking to mediapersons after holding a meeting with Ulema here, he said those madaris which do not have any affiliation with Wafaq/Tanzeem Madaris should register themselves as early as possible,otherwise legal action would be taken against them.The Minister said “We all condemn the Sohrab Goth incident in Karachi when police rescued around 50 students of a madrissa found chained in the basement during a raid,” and added Inspector General Sindh has presented a report in the meeting about the incident.

Rehman Malik said the Sohrab Goth Madrissa had tried to defame the good madaris functioning in the country.

He appreciated Ulema for their cooperation during Muharram and said during Ashura there was no untoward incident occurred and the day remained peaceful.

The Minister said there are around 24,000 registered madaris which are functioning in the country and added with the cooperation of Ulema, the government now would be able to take legal action against those madaris working illegally.

Chairman, Ruet-e-Halal Committee, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman and other Ulema, who attended the meeting appreciated the

government for taking steps to improve security situation and said they would continue extending their cooperation for peace and betterment of the country.Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik said,”We should not believe in rumours and those who are spreading baseless rumours should avoid doing so. President Asif Ali Zardari has arrived in Pakistan and I welcome him and wish him good health.”

The Minister said he also held a meeting with Secretary Information Technology and Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to discuss the issue of threatening e-mails and unwanted Short Messaging Service (SMS).

Rehman Malik said he has directed the PTA to ensure monitoring of e-mails so that those who are involved in such e-mails could be nabbed and brought to justice.

Similarly, he said he has constituted a committee to look into the matter of unwanted SMS which would prepare a report in this regard.

He said that some people were making propaganda against the country and the people by spreading un-ethical comments and disinformation through SMS which is no fair.

Answering a question, he said all the ulema wanted that terrorists should unarm themselves and work for peace and development of the country.