ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has decided to introduce uniform legislation for the registration of all educational institutions, including public and private schools as well as religious seminaries as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening governance and addressing the root causes of extremism.

The decision was taken at the ninth meeting of the Steering Committee on the Socio-Political Domain, chaired by Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives. Participants included provincial ministers and senior federal and provincial officials.

Addressing the meeting Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that all educational institutions must operate under a universal legal framework to ensure transparency and eliminate perceptions of discrimination. He stated that madrassas are educational institutions and should be integrated into the national mainstream through an inclusive approach.

The committee was informed that the Higher Education Commission has instructed universities to discontinue hostel allotments based on provincial or linguistic criteria, with accommodations now designed to promote inter provincial integration.

Provincial governments were directed to prepare five-year development plans and prioritize the country’s most backward districts. The committee also urged curriculum reforms including incorporating the teachings of Allama Muhammad Iqbal alongside governance measures to enhance public trust and national cohesion.