A concerning report released on Thursday details how Pakistan’s madrassa education system, while serving as a refuge for many impoverished students, is also contributing to radicalization, exacerbating societal inequalities, and fostering an environment where abuse can occur. The international community is watching Pakistan’s educational policies closely, emphasizing the need to uphold global standards and dismantle any institutions that serve as breeding grounds for extremism. The report emphasizes the significant divide between Pakistan’s secular educational system and its religious seminaries, framing it as a contentious issue that reflects deeper national divisions. Historically, madrassas have been accused of promoting ideologies that conflict with Pakistan’s national interests and the principles of peace and tolerance. The 2005 Red Mosque siege, where an affiliated madrassa declared defiance against the state, is cited as a critical example that heightened concerns and led to the ‘jihad factory’ label for some institutions. Recent public statements by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, who described madrassa students as a ‘second line of defence,’ are viewed by many as evidence of the state’s tacit support for radical elements, reinforcing the idea that madrassas function as ideological pipelines for extremism. The report also points to the perpetuation of socioeconomic inequality. The curriculum’s strong emphasis on religious studies often sidelines essential secular subjects like mathematics, science, and technology, limiting students’ future prospects. Disturbingly, the report brings to light widespread allegations of abuse, including sexual violence, within some madrassas. Children from financially struggling families are sometimes sent to these institutions for protection but face exploitation by individuals in positions of power. The report suggests that a failure to address these issues, compounded by alleged cover-ups by some institutions, allows the problem of abuse to persist.
