ISLAMABAD: Around 15 Pakistani seminaries received Rs 258 million from other Islamic countries during the last one year, the Senate was informed on Wednesday.

Responding to a question, Minister of state for interior, Muhammad Balighur Rehman told the Upper House that countries, which included Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, were providing financial support to these seminaries through the donations and Zakat.

He said that the seminaries including Madressah Rehmania Tehfeez ul Quran, Jamiatul Ulum Al Asria, Jammiatul Uloom Islamiyah, Jamiat Ahle Hadith Balochistan, Darul Uloom Jamia Anwar Mustafa, Idara Minhaj Ul Quran, Jammiatul Manahil Al Kheriya, Madina Masjid, Madressah Darul Uloom Baltistan, Masjid e Gulzar Ghoi, Jammiatul Islam Khushab, Jamia Khairul Madaris, Jamiat Al Huda Al Kharia Welfare Society, Islam Trust and Dawat-e-Islami had received money through different banks of Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that out of these 15 seminaries, 11 seminaries are operating without NOC from the interior ministry.

The Minister said that there is no check and balance on the religious seminaries across the country as yet while the government had prepared a mechanism through national security policy to regularise the seminaries in this regard.