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As discussed here previously, in July President Musharraf moved to ban foreign students from studying in his country's madrassas. We now have news of another, very significant, curb being placed on the madrassas by Pakistan.
Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued a ruling that will, in effect, bar students from many religious schools (madrassas) from holding public office.
It has said that unregistered madrassas do not teach a curriculum suitable to prepare students for mainstream life.
Hundreds of successful candidates backed by religious parties in August's local elections could now face the prospect of disqualification.
More than half of Pakistan's madrassas are currently unregistered.
The court observed that most madrassas were managed by the private sector and were not affiliated with any recognised university or educational board.
And it said that these madrassas had made no efforts to include the subjects of Urdu, English and Pakistan studies in their curricula despite repeated requests by the authorities.
This left the students unfit for mainstream jobs as they could only work as teachers or researchers at the madrassas, the court ruled.
This is a tremendous step forward for Pakistan. And notice that it comes from the Pakistan Supreme Court. It appears that President Musharraf has the support of his country's chief justices in his efforts to curb the madrassas.
