The Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024, commonly known as the madrassa registration bill, has officially become law following the signature of President Asif Ali Zardari. This new legislation requires all madrassas to adhere to government regulations. The law prohibits madrassas from teaching or publishing material that promotes militancy, sectarianism, or hatred.

According to Express News, the federal government has accepted the demands of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman. These demands were aimed at bringing madrassas under the Societies Act 2024 for registration and oversight. This agreement has resolved a long-standing conflict between the ruling PML-N government and the opposition JUI-F regarding the bill, which had been passed by Parliament but returned earlier by President Zardari.

Under the new law, madrassas operating before its implementation must complete their registration within six months, while newly established madrassas will have up to a year to register. The law also mandates madrassas to submit annual audit reports of their educational and financial activities to the relevant registrar.

A key feature of the legislation is that branches of a central madrassa registered under a specific name will not need separate registration. Additionally, madrassas registered under the Societies (Amendment) Act 2024 will not be required to register under any other law, simplifying the process.

The law allows the study of comparative religion and requires madrassas to gradually introduce modern subjects based on their available resources. However, it bans teaching or publishing any material that incites militancy, sectarianism, or religious hatred.