ISLAMABAD: An agreement has been reached to resolve the long-standing issue of bank accounts for religious seminaries in Pakistan, after religious scholars, state institutions and leading banks agreed on a simplified mechanism to provide banking facilities to registered madrassahs.
The development came during a conference of religious scholars and spiritual leaders organised by the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE), which brought together heads of madrassah boards, representatives of the State Bank of Pakistan and officials from major Pakistani banks.
The conference provided a platform for structured dialogue between religious leadership, government institutions and the banking sector to address the difficulties faced by religious seminaries in opening and operating bank accounts.
Following consultations among all relevant stakeholders, an easy, transparent and practical procedure for opening bank accounts for madrassahs (religious seminaries) was agreed upon.
Mechanism to address administrative, legal challenges
The mechanism is intended to address the administrative and legal challenges that have contributed to delays in providing banking facilities to religious seminaries.
The necessary legislation concerning the registration of madrassahs in Islamabad has already been completed. With the legal process now in place, the formal process of opening bank accounts for registered seminaries in the federal capital has also begun.
The mechanism adopted in Islamabad is expected to serve as a practical model for other provinces. Once the relevant provincial registration laws are approved, the banking facility will be extended to madrassahs across the country in phases.
The consensus reached among the state, the State Bank of Pakistan and religious leadership is being viewed as an important foundation for finding a lasting solution to the issue.
Stakeholders also agreed that legal and administrative obstacles in other parts of the country would be addressed through continued consultation and the required legislation.
The development is also expected to strengthen trust and communication between the state and religious seminaries, while improving institutional coordination and representation of madrassahs in matters concerning their financial and educational affairs.
Religious leaders credit Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for breakthrough
Religious leaders attending the conference attributed the progress to the special attention, guidance and interest of the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying his focus had helped facilitate movement towards resolving the issue.
The conference also highlighted efforts to connect madrassah students with modern, technical and professional education.
Such initiatives, participants noted, could help equip students with wider skills and enable them to play a more effective role in Pakistan’s national development.
The agreement on a uniform and practical banking mechanism marks a significant step towards bringing greater administrative clarity and financial access to the country’s religious seminaries while strengthening cooperation between madrassahs, regulatory institutions and the banking sector.
