Bilawal Bhutto Meets Maulana Fazlur Rehman to Address Madrasa Registration Bill Concerns

In a significant political development, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied by a delegation, met JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the contentious Madrasa Registration Bill.

The Crux of the Issue

According to sources, Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed dissatisfaction over President Asif Ali Zardari’s delay in signing the Madrasa Registration Bill. The bill, part of prior legislative agreements, has been a point of contention between coalition partners in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

• Background on the Dispute:
  • Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the government for deviating from commitments made during the approval of the 26th Amendment, incorporating only 22 of the agreed 56 clauses.
  • He accused the government of later enacting laws that contradicted the Constitution and undermined the spirit of earlier agreements.

Details of the Meeting

The two-hour meeting revolved around:

1. Clarifying PPP’s Stance:
   Bilawal Bhutto reassured Maulana Fazlur Rehman that the PPP supports the madrasa-related legislation and stands with the JUI-F on this matter, as they have in the past.
2. President’s Role:
   • Bilawal reportedly emphasized that President Zardari represents the state, not the PPP, and sought to mitigate any misunderstanding between the parties.
   • Maulana Fazlur Rehman insisted that Zardari must sign the bill, reflecting the consensus reached during discussions in Bilawal House Karachi and Lahore at Nawaz Sharif’s residence.
3. Potential Challenges:
   The JUI-F chief warned that failure to act on agreed legislation before the elections could create significant complications for the ruling coalition.

Statements from Key Leaders

• Senator Kamran Murtaza (JUI-F):
  • Praised Bilawal Bhutto for maintaining his support on the madrasa issue.
  • Asserted that the President’s actions—or lack thereof—should not reflect negatively on the PPP.
• Maulana Fazlur Rehman:
  • Expressed his intent to raise the matter at an upcoming conference if the bill isn’t signed by the stipulated deadline.
  • Highlighted the painstaking process of reaching a consensus, emphasizing the need for adherence to agreements made during coalition talks.

Implications for the PDM Alliance

This episode underscores brewing tensions within the PDM coalition, especially as political parties gear up for upcoming elections. The Madrasa Registration Bill serves as a litmus test for coalition unity, with potential implications for:

• Religious-Political Relations: Straining ties between PPP and JUI-F could alienate religious political factions.
• Pre-Election Stability: Disagreements over legislative commitments might weaken the coalition’s position ahead of elections.

Next Steps

Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced plans to address the issue further in a conference if immediate resolution isn’t reached. All eyes are now on President Asif Ali Zardari’s decision, which could either smooth over tensions or deepen the rift within the ruling coalition.

This development highlights the delicate balance of power and trust required to navigate Pakistan’s complex political landscape.