The participating prominent religious figures and delegates from seminaries expressed special gratitude to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, emphasising that this landmark development is a direct result of his focused attention, guidance, and personal interest.
Concrete roadmap established to resolve issue of religious seminaries’ bank accounts
ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): In a breakthrough, a concrete roadmap has been established after consultation with all stakeholders to resolve the long-standing and complex issue of opening bank accounts for religious seminaries.
The progress was made during a joint meeting of religious educational boards and seminaries hosted by the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE), Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, chaired by Director General Major General (Retd) Dr. Ghulam Qamar.
The event brought together top leadership from seminary boards nationwide, university heads, and senior officials from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) alongside representatives from various commercial banks.
The participants conducted a detailed review of the administrative, legal, and operational obstacles hindering seminaries from opening bank accounts. Through mutual consultation, coordination, and consensus among the DGRE, the SBP, and religious board leaders, a concrete roadmap was established.
It was agreed that the process of opening bank accounts for religious seminaries will commence immediately in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), where the necessary legal and administrative formalities have been completed.
Concurrently, practical measures will be taken through collaboration to resolve similar hurdles in other regions across the country.
The participating prominent religious figures and seminary delegates expressed special gratitude to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, emphasising that this landmark development is a direct result of his focused attention, guidance, and personal interest.
They noted that this initiative brings real hope of eliminating a major administrative bottleneck for the country’s religious institutions.
Key religious leaders present at the meeting included Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East Affairs Allama Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Allama Dr. Mir Mohammad Asif Akbar Qadri, Mufti Mohammad Zubair Faheem, Allama Mufti Shaikh Abdul Latif, Allama Mufti Mohammad Yousuf Kashmiri, Allama Tauqeer Abbas, Allama Engineer Mohammad Usman Yousuf, Dr. Shams-ur-Rehman Shams, Allama Hafiz Mohammad Tayyab Tabiri, Allama Junaid Akbar, Allama Sahibzada Nafees-ul-Qadri, Syed Rawail Taj, and representativrs of several other religious boards and universities also attended.
Addressing the forum, board representatives highlighted that religious seminaries constituted a vast and structured educational and training sector in Pakistan, educating millions of boys and girls in religious studies without substantial state financial aid.
They emphasised that seminaries actively abide by state laws while promoting interfaith harmony, national integration, tolerance, and patriotism.
Participants termed the establishment of the DGRE a historic policy initiative by the state, noting that it provides seminaries with a dignified, effective national platform for representation, coordination, and problem-solving.
They praised DGRE’s initiatives to link seminary students with technical training, vocational skills, and modern education, calling it a historic step toward integrating students into the national development stream.
Expressing satisfaction over the shrinking gap and growing trust between the state and seminaries, they reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing joint efforts for quality religious education alongside modern and technical training, ensuring students play an active role in Pakistan’s progress.
