What of NAP?

Still napping?

What a storm the information minister’s take on some of the madrassas kicked off. There were indications early on, soon after NAP was ambitiously announced, that seminaries, and their patrons, would resist any manner of scrutiny vigorously. And that is exactly what they have done. Rumours about NAP never taking off had finally started doing the rounds. There was only so long the government could stall an issue of overriding national importance. But just then Pervez Rashid finally took issue with some of the more suspect seminaries. It was expected that the government, especially the prime minister, would back Rashid forcefully, and the part about madrassa reforms would finally begin.

But not only did the kitchen cabinet, not least the prime minister, not back the information minister, but rather Rashid was forced to issue a calculated apology in the Senate. That is concerning on two points, at least. First, as information minister, Rashid does not have the liberty of entertaining personal opinions, at least not in the presence of the press. Whatever the information minister says is official government opinion or policy. But Nawaz not backing him betrays a breakdown in that straight-forward arrangement. Either Rashid spoke on his own or Nawaz did not defend him when push came to shove. Neither prospect is too comforting.

And secondly, madrassa reform was part and parcel of NAP, and no less than Interior Minister Ch Nisar promised a whole host of actions to check their legitimacy and funding. Yet months later not one step has been taken. Some hoped that Rashid’s statement might just pave the way for meaningful scrutiny, but if anything has been proved it is that the government is too weak to confront the lobby that resists madrassa reforms. Unless that changes, NAP will never move beyond an impressive mission statement on paper.