Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that madrasa students must be accorded equal access to education, technology and sports to enable them to emerge as responsible and productive citizens. Addressing the Zalmi Madrasa League Punjab ceremony held at Punjab University as the chief guest, here on Tuesday, he said that integrating madaris into the national mainstream is a fundamental responsibility of the state.

He expressed that it was a source of immense satisfaction to engage with students and teachers of madaris. Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, Secretary Home Punjab Ahmad Javed Qazi, Vice Chancellor Punjab University Professor Dr Khalid, Secretary Auqaf Dr. Ehsan Bhutta and Chief Executive Officer of Zalmi Foundation Mian Abbas Zalmi were also present on the occasion. 

The speaker said the Punjab government’s decision to increase the education budget threefold represents a commendable step towards addressing the challenge. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stressed that madrasa students must be provided with equitable educational, technological and sporting opportunities so that they can excel as doctors, professionals and scholars.

He said that irrespective of whether students choose religious scholarship or other professional paths, state resources, including modern technology, artificial intelligence education and sports infrastructure, must be made accessible to them. Referring to the participation of teams from fifteen Wafaq-ul-Madaris, the speaker said it sent a powerful message of unity, likening it to a bouquet of diverse flowers that collectively symbolize strength and harmony. 

He firmly rejected attempts to associate madaris with extremism, asserting that madaris are institutions that promote peace, tolerance and social cohesion. Speaking at the ceremony, Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat announced that 2,000 sports grounds are being developed in schools across the province, which will also be accessible to private educational institutions and madaris.

He said emerging talent from madaris, schools and universities would be provided platforms at the national level, adding that the Punjab government is committed to nurturing international sports icons such as Arshad Nadeem. Secretary Home Ahmad Javed Qazi said that a digital registration mechanism for madaris is being introduced to ensure transparency, efficiency and facilitation for teachers and students. 

Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta described the participation of madrasa students in sports as a constructive initiative, saying that sports foster discipline, training and a healthy society. Acting Vice-Chancellor Punjab University Professor Dr. Khalid said the university’s academic and sporting resources remain available for madrasa students and expressed satisfaction over the utilization of Punjab University grounds for the event. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)