ISLAMABAD, Dec 19: The government has decided to take action against the seminaries not registered with Wafaqul/Tanzeemul Madaris, a non-government supervisory body.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday that non-registered madressahs would be considered illegal after Jan 1.

“Those Madaris which do not have any affiliation with Wafaqul/Tanzeemul Madaris should register themselves as early as possible, otherwise stern action will be taken against them,” the minister said after a meeting with clerics.

He said about 24,000 registered seminaries were functioning in the country, and with the cooperation of ulema, the government now would be able to take legal action against those working illegally.

Ruet-i-Halal Committee chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman and other ulema attended the meeting.

The meeting condemned the Sohrab Goth incident in Karachi in which police rescued about 50 students found chained during a raid on a madressah.

EMAILS, SMS: The minister also held a meeting with the information technology secretary and Pakistan Telecommunications Authority chairman to discuss the issue of threatening emails and unwanted SMS.

Mr Malik asked the PTA to monitor threatening emails so that those involved in such activities could be brought to justice.