PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Wednesday clarified a budgetary allocation of Rs300 million to the Haqqania seminary, saying the step was taken to bring the seminary into the mainstream.

The KP government set aside funds for the construction and rehabilitation of the Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora, Khattak, in the annual provincial budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Giving details of the grant, Shah Farman, said the seminary does a "great service to the province by providing education" adding, "we want them to continue to provide this service".

Special Assistant to the KP Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani said the move aimed to mainstream the seminary. "Around three million students are enrolled in these seminaries, where they are fed, sheltered and taken care of without any expense."

"Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has a vision to streamline all sorts of education systems into one system that seeks to bridge the appalling disconnect between the government and the seminary systems," Ghani said.

He added that a main chunk of the allocations will also be utilised for the construction and repair of the seminary's building.

"The provincial government is keen to enhance financial as well as technical assistance to religious schools in the province in order to bring them under the umbrella of the provincial education regime, and this step is the first in this direction."

The seminary, located in Nowshera district and currently run by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami chief Maulana Samiul Haq, has faced controversy in the past as its students have been accused of involvement in the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

However, the seminary administration denied having any connection with the suspects.

Earlier this month, KP's finance minister said 160 new primary schools and 100 new secondary schools would be constructed in the province whereas 100 religious seminaries would be converted into primary schools.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...