PESHAWAR, Aug 4: The NWFP Minister for Zakat, Auqaf and Religious Affairs, Qari Roohullah Madani, on Saturday denounced the propaganda unleashed against religious institutions.

He said the government had no bad intentions and it wanted to reform and regulate these institutions and provide them their proper place and status.

He also held out the assurance that the government would extend maximum assistance to the Madaris from its resources.

This he said while giving away the grant-in-aid cheques to the Mohtamims/Nazims of Madaris at a ceremony.

The Mohtamims of 23 Madaris of Nowshera, Swabi, Charsadda, Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts received cheques worth between Rs30,000 and Rs50,000. The total grant was valued at Rs1.4 million. A sum of Rs5 million is to be distributed among the Madaris of 24 districts.

He said the Madaris Registration Ordinance, 2002, was aimed at equipping the religious students with modern education.—APP