LAHORE, Aug 16: Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday urged managements of religious schools to get their institutions registered “in their own interest.”

Talking to newsmen here, he said he firmly believed that patrons and teachers of seminaries were responsible people and would get their institutions registered.

The minister also advised administration of seminaries to broaden the curricula by introducing more subjects.

“Religious schools should get registered to give a good impression to the world that our madaris are responsible institutions”, he observed.

To a question about banning three magazines in Sindh, the minister said they did not come under the purview of journalism.

Replying to another question about joining of the PML-Q by certain opposition members, Sheikh Rashid lauded the efforts of Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

He said some members of the PML-N were joining the ruling party while members of other parties would also do so after the verdict of the Swiss court.

About the price situation, the information minister said the government was taking required measures in the face of rising oil prices.

“President General Pervez Musharraf feels that common man is worst affected by petrol price. Poverty, unemployment and price-hike are main challenges before the government and effective campaign will be launched to provide relief to the masses”, Sheikh Rashid said.

About the threat by the opposition to pull out their legislators from the assemblies, Sheikh Rashid said by-election would be held if they really did so.—APP