LAHORE In a major breakthrough, the Federal government has quietly and finally asked the Education and Interior Ministries to strictly implement the proposed madrassah reforms in its letter and spirit across the country and at the earliest, it was reliably learnt on Tuesday. Well-informed sources revealed that the govt has also acknowledged that some unregistered madaris, affiliated with militant organisations, preach violence or militancy. 'Therefore, the authorities have strongly suggested that any madrassah found indulging in extremism, subversion, militancy or possessing weapons will be seized, a top official in the Interior Ministry said. After having long deliberations with all stakeholders, the government had approved several major initiatives to reshape the educational system in the religious schools. According to the proposed reforms: 'new religious schools can now be opened only after obtaining permission from the govt. madaris administrations have been asked to review their syllabi to include other subjects like English, mathematics, computer, science, other modern languages and technical subjects. 'Free Islamic and modern text books and other rewards, including salaries for teachers will also be introduced as per these reforms. Besides this, according to the size and level of education being imparted, these madaris are being affiliated with education boards and universities for grant of recognised certificates after completion of studies. A conscious decision has also been made according to which allowing admission to any illegal foreign student in madaris is prohibited. 'Anyone desirous of receiving religious education is required to get an NOC from his/her country of origin as well as from Pakistans Ministry of Interior. Education experts believe that the reformation of madaris is one of the principle components of govt of Pakistans long-term strategy to tackle radicalisation leading to extremism. The govt is determined to bring these madaris into the mainstream of public education system through a number of reforms. 'Existing madaris are being registered and the process is near to its completion. Out of 10430 madrassahs identified so far, more than 8,000 have been registered with the Ministry of Education, another official said. Sources differ on the actual number of madaris in Pakistan. According to the Council on Foreign Relations: 'there is no credible information for the number of unregistered madaris, but estimates of registered madaris range from 10,000 to 20,000. When looking at the number of children who attend school in the country, however, only a small percentage (1.3 per cent ) receive madrassah education versus 65 per cent who attend public schools and 34 per cent who go to private schools. Many analysts view that the role of Pakistani madaris in shaping the radical views of the masses and their students merits serious consideration. Their affiliation with political, sectarian and militant organisations is also a major cause of concern. In Pakistan, these institutions are attached to mosques and run by mosque administration. The very aim of madrassahs in Pakistan is to provide free elementary academic and religious education to poor class of people who cannot afford to send their children to schools. Many of these schools function free from governments control or supervision and are generally affiliated to one of the religious organisations to cater for their financial needs. The long drawn struggle against Soviet occupation forces in Afghanistan provided the basis for proliferation and misuse of these madrassahs. As a result, some of these grew in size and because of mishandling, became the source of hatred, intolerance, extremism and terrorism. Education experts say that since the tragic events of 9/11, most of the Western writers, scholars, diplomats, teachers, and students, in a bid to understand the reasons behind that devastating day, had labelled Islam as a religion of violence and terrorism. Religious seminaries are specifically pointed out for breeding terrorism in Muslim countries against the US and West. The government and Pakistan Army had introduced many policies to eliminate militancy and religious extremism. Action against the Taliban, al Qaeda and home-grown sectarian terrorists are a few examples. On a key policy, reform of madrassahs, the Pakistani authorities have acted very vigilantly, officials said, adding, the religious organisations had already been banned by the government which used to run violent schools and produce militant literature. Various mechanisms had also been devised to change the status of madaris and integrate them into the formal education sector. Educationists say that being students of scientific studies as well, madrassah students would no longer feel isolated from the entire population and would surely consider themselves as important members of the society. They would rather become an example for the society and help in many productive activities. These students would definitely strike a positive difference from the by-products of unregistered madaris. Reformation of madrassahs would also help in curtailing Western propaganda that falsely depict madaris in Pakistan as accelerators of extremism and portray the concerned quarters of the State as supporters of their mechanism.