ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq has said that seminaries in Pakistan are not involved in terrorism and are only providing education and shelter to poor children.

He was briefing a four-member Norwegian delegation about ongoing Madressah Reforms Programme being undertaken in the country. The delegates, led by former Norwegian prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, called on Mr Haq here on Saturday.

“What’s needed is to bring religious seminaries in the mainstream and to introduce modern education,” the minister said.

He emphasised that the government would not allow anyone to use religion for spreading terrorism. Nearly 15,000 Madressahs are in the country and 95 per cent of these are registered, he added.

The minister said minorities in Pakistan had full independence and were enjoying equal rights. He said the present government was determined to ensure socio-economic uplift of the minorities.

Mr Haq said interfaith harmony was the solution to curb extremism in the society. The ministry also has plans to give “Interfaith Harmony Award” this year to a person working for the cause of interfaith committees at district level.

He said these committees were working successfully for maintaining peace and harmony among people belonging to different faiths.