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US to give Pakistan $100 mn to
monitor madrassas

K J M Varma in Islamabad

The United States is going to extend a $100 million package to Pakistan to help it monitor and regulate the activities of thousands of Islamic seminaries, which have been blamed for fomenting fundamentalism.

Under the plan, the profiles of all teachers and students spread over an estimated 25,000 madrassas will be computerised to prepare a broad-based plan to control the militant and sectarian elements in the country. The profiles are also aimed at keeping a complete record of the clergy in Pakistan.

The measures will help keep track of activities of those elements in madrassas who indulge in violent activities, apart from creating militant groups or harbouring them.

Meanwhile, officials said that Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider would begin a dialogue with the madrassa administrators in Karachi on Saturday in a bid to persuade them to shun their present approach to education.

Haider is going to ask the madrassas to join the mainstream educational system or face stern official action.

The plan also envisages a programme to introduce new curricula through madrassa teachers who are willing to go for modern education.

PTI

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