ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The federation of religious schools - Wafaqul Madaris - might be given the status of a university as the matter was being discussed by relevant ministries, sources told this agency on Monday.

Frequent meetings in this connection were being held among the high-ups of religious, interior and education ministries, while the announcement will be made soon, said the sources.

It is expected that in the event of a consensus among the said ministries, the Wafaqul Madaris would either enjoy the status of a university or would be affiliated with a university to facilitate the students to take graduation and master's level exams.

However, the matric and intermediate level exams would be conducted by the inter-Madressah board which would be headed by the religious affairs minister while the advisory committee would have the officials from the religious, interior and education ministries.

The step is in line with President Pervez Musharraf's policy to regulate all the madressahs functioning in the country under the Madressah Registration Ordinance. Under the policy, it is mandatory for all Madressahs to get themselves registered with the board. -PPI