Make sure it is not converted to a sectarian education fit for all which will be than problem again as repeated in 80s

Very good

Welcome step, We need one worldclass university too , to research on Islam.

The new suggestion by state minister of Interior is to divert the attention from corruption and PM properties in UK.Minister portfolio is for fighting corruption in the country and not religious.Religion will be taken care by individuals in their personal capacity and beliefs.

Very Good move by Govt. Brotherly Islamic Countries will be more than willing to fund this project if necessary and research in to islamic studies should form the core of every university. This will strengthen the moral character of the country thus the next generation will be true muslims.

I am very happy to read this news

excellente idea

It should be optional

Excellent step.This will help students to understand the way of life

They are now going in a correct direction. Feeling happy.

Very good step by the government... Our PM is indeed very thoughtful of the religious, social and cultural needs of our society... May he succeed in his efforts… Ameen…

Please stop experiments, The generation born in 80s is already confused because of influx of flawed seminary system.

That's really great. This is the only right direction.

Good idea.

Very good and appreciated.

Better make Math and Science compulsory in Schools.

Why do they want to make it mandatory instead of optional?

Good idea

An attempt by PML (N) govt to shift the focus from Panama Leaks, otherwise there are no hindrance since last three years in federal govt and eight years in provincial govt.

A good step.

@MEA Education up to high school level is mandatory by law. That should cover a variety of disciplines to give the kids necessary skills and knowledge to function as a productive and enlightened member of society, including Islamic Studies. It is a majority Muslim country after all.

They should unite both the School and Madressa systems of Pakistan. Doing so will allow the poor to be educated and also provide shelter from extremism.

Excellent step by Govt.

State should have nothing to do with religion of the people. Let people make their choices outside public realm.

It is a good step provided sectarian ideas are kept out and a neutral interpretation acceptable to all sects is taught.

How can it be so easy for people to disagree or agree so quickly whether this is a good step? This is our Holy Book which we are talking about - and the interpretation of our Religion. Overnight, a simple decision cannot be taken without ensuring pre-requisites, appropriate implementation mechanisms and monitoring measures. In order to avoid misinterpretation, misunderstanding and misuse of our religion, a lot more thought needs to go into making such a decision, such as determining appropriateness of the content to be taught by class level and more importantly, the interpretations and translations. One of the biggest challenges faced by our country is the conflicting views on interpretation; this affects day-to-day life and often results in violence. Consensus needs to be established amongst the Islamic schools of thought by "qualified" scholars and historians before content and curriculum can be devised. Without adequate planning, this step may lead to unintended consequences.

@tellmore Looking for more hand outs . Only way to prosper is to keep religon and state separate from each other.

Religion should be a matter of choice whether one wants to follow or study.

A knee jerk reaction to retain votes of those they are likely to loose due to the operation in Punjab. Where is the consultation in all this, so that it is not one sect bias?

Good & much needed step. If by any means we can educate our children including Islamic Education within the State run schools then we will not have segregation in society based on sect, faith or language.

"Govt PLANNING to...." says it all. Even Govt enforcement of most plans never work.

God help us. Who will teach kids. Which translation. Whose interpretation. Under what context and reference. How about starting with select group of adults in a handful of professional schools first to assess capacity and response.

The rights of all it's citizens can only be protected when church( mosque) are separate from the state.

What's the problem with them. We're already suffering due to misinterpretation of islamiat in schools.

better

finally some wise step is taken.

Good move

This education system must target private schools.

Great move. Govenment should have done this ages ago

I am very happy to see this news.

@Rationality Sir but the question is WHO would teach and with what qualification?

I also request my government to implement this in all schools.

@Mohsin What problem do you have with Quranic teachings?? Why Optional??

@tellmore Very well said. I hope your words come true.

Very good initiative, this should have been done a very long time ago, all efforts should be made that students should stop going to these dangerous madrassas...

@SadFaces A crime research analyst said that non of the criminals had links to madrasas.

@CANADA 1 its the other way around. the church(mosque) should come directly under the federal govt. this is the only way to control religious fanatics. About the Quranic education, the compulsion if any should be limited to Muslim students only

what about non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan?

Religion is a personal matter, education should be secular.

Religion should not be part of government & education. Even if it is considered as a good thing, make it optional. Else, it will divide the people of country, especially the minorities. There are lot more better things to teach in the field of science & technology, arts & economics.

Thoughts are appreciated. Let us see when they become action.

@Basit Ali A very good question. This is where the government needs to take a proactive role in identifying individuals with accepted academic qualifications/ certifications from reputed institutes in Islam, Theology, and Islamic History to form a curriculum development body. A committee can be set up for the recruitment of this body comprising educationists and accepted curriculum development experts. Individuals selected for this body need not be Pakistani alone; many Islamic scholars are from abroad and we need to accept based on competence. We need to keep in mind that this is a question relating to developing the minds of millions of students - our future generation. This is an investment requiring time and resources - and above all, commitment on part of the government. Once a curriculum is established, a second debate then needs to take place on compulsory vs. optional. Only then should roll out be considered.

So what about non Muslim students?

What about the other faiths children?

If this is such a good idea then why are private schools going to be exempted from it?

That is very very good move it helps indivisual to understand standard quranic education and safe from wrong interpretation

What about Non-Muslim student?

@Asma Ali for non muslim its optional subject. Everyone knows that.

Teach them to PRACTICE the Quranic teachings in their everyday life. This is more important than recital. Recital does nothing for the mind, body and soul. HUMANITY is very important.

First of all they should have all their kids in govt schools. Sounds similar to an experiment by the Zia govt to teach Arabic in school, when I was young.

It matters who the teacher is.....

@Asma Ali ; please don't ask practical questions here!

Good Move to education our children about Islam and do not leave this important job to the maul-vi, who can brainwash them.

Quality of teachers is paramount....if not you will have a bigger problem on hand.

Great!

Which schools? The ones without Open a roof or the one functioning under an old Bunyan Tree?

It should be an individual's choice to practice any religion or not. Religion should be a matter of house affair not a state affair. As soon as person steps outside of the house, only one religion he/she should follow- Humanity. Lets be one world by following religion of humanity, which matters to all....

The best news ever. Proper learning of Qura'n & understanding its messages through really qualified teachers will help to discard negative feelings. The government should make sure that only literate & qualified teachers are chosen for the purpose.

This is excellent.

excellent move. must be implemented soon.

As optional subjects, they can introduce fiqah, tafseer and the core subjects that are taught in the madressas. Then there will be no need for madressas. It is always better to have only one kind of education throughout the country. Why different educations to people belonging to different classes?

V good. I hope it's implemented as well. But it should be for private schools as well with tafseer i.e with simple explanation. We need to teach basic values of Islam from the beginning at the grass root level to change the society of corruption. We also need to focus on teachers and families.

Excellent step toward making our nation wise

@Dawn reader . Keep religious-education out of school. Rather teach how to be good human-being through stories of real-life hero/leaders in various cultures.

Yup, because until today, all Pakistani schools were teaching evolution and logic.

The reason Pakistan will not improve is because its government doesn't think about implications before implementing something so drastic as this. I believe half of the problem which current day Pakistan is facing is because of over dose of religion. And again this step will contribute in that direction.

It's none of governments job to decide what to teach kids. It's the job of parents to determine what kind of religious education to impart on their kids. Who wants the all knowing and all great government to take over the mantle of teaching? Have they not seen the failure of water, edu, security, health, electricity, gas, telephone? And yet they clamor for more government involvement?

Its a great step, as long as the actual translation is being taught and not someone mullas version, that will destroy any childs mind.

I think it should be done and madrassas should be replaced completely.

I also agree religion should be matter of choice. It is unethical to teach about religion. Every person can get relgious education when he get mature like 20 years old.

Too much love for GOD destroys nations

A-1, but it is be more good if we put little more attention to the environment of government school in some areas. Especially korangi,malir and lyari..

Did I study Satanic Islamiat??

Excellent step ...

Proper Quranic education can help to creat peace and harmony and also to fight against Extremisms.

@TELLMORE Brotherly Islamic Countries are already spending petro dollars into the Madrassas.

An absurd idea!

Good step, but make sure the person teaching is certified. Also, why are we pushing for Islamiyat courses when the country was supposed to be a secular one ? What about Christians, Hindus, etc who do not wish to learn it in class ?

Please keep religion out of school. The religion and traditions should be taught at home

We should also focus on science, global commercial opportunities and respect for other cultures and religions too

Religion needs to be left to the parents and the individual

how would u ensure that teachers who are translating and giving lessons are not extremists? they are not brainwashing the innocent souls