LAHORE, April 16: The federal government has decided to close down the religious institutions whose administration or students are found involved in militant activities.

The civil administration has been directed to “move quickly” against the religious seminaries teaching militancy. The directive says: “Madaris teaching militancy should be identified and sealed.”

The government has also decided to use Zakat and Ushr funds to reward or punish the religious elements for their support or opposition to it. The religious seminaries found involved in political activities might be closed down.

The decision was taken at a meeting held recently with Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf in the chair to review law and order situation in the country.

Official documents, a copy of which was made available to Dawn, reveal that Zakat funds will not be available to religious seminaries found involved in anti-government activities.

A letter written to the district Zakat committees has also informed them of the decision that only the seminaries affiliated with the Madaris Board will be eligible to receive the funds.

Eligibility of seminaries for receiving financial assistance from Zakat funds has been made subject to clearance by the Home Department.

“The list of Deeni Madaris registered for financial assistance from Zakat Fund may be scrutinized for clearance by the respective Home Department before releasing any stipend to the students of these institutions,” say the written instructions sent to the authorities concerned.

The administration of these institutions has also been advised to apply for affiliation with the Madaris Board through the provincial Zakat authorities within 30 days of the issuance of the instructions.

“The Madaris which do not respond positively to the affiliation proposal may also be deleted from the list.”

The authorities have been directed to “follow these instructions in letter and spirit.”

Gen Musharraf had announced in his speech on Jan 12 that no new seminary in the country could be opened without a no-objection certificate from the government and Madaris Boards. However, the boards have yet to be set up.

When contacted, the administrators of some seminaries said several government departments and agencies were now charged with monitoring their affairs. Earlier, they said, officials of the Welfare Department had approached them and got them to fill in certain forms.