LAHORE, Jan 9: The central consultative body of the Jamaat-i-Islami has criticized the government's drive against religious seminaries and demanded an immediate end to this effect.

It has sought that instead the government should grant university status to all the five conglomerates of seminaries, says a press release here on Sunday. It also expressed concern at changes in syllabi and demanded that a representative national council be formed to frame syllabus of each subject.

Opposing the Agha Khan education board, the body said the step would make education more expensive. It demanded cancellation of licences of all private and foreign education boards and withdrawal of increase in tuition fees.

The meeting also sought easy access of womenfolk to education and health facilities, implementation of laws regarding giving inheritance and dower to women members of families, conforming role of women in media to Islamic code, and recognizing women services in domestic chores as part of development.