Islamabad: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has rejected the objections raised by President Asif Zardari on the Madrasa Act, labeling them “surprising” and alleging that the President’s office appears to be under external pressure regarding the matter.

JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri expressed his dismay over the President’s reservations, stating that the objections were neither raised in accordance with legal procedures nor within the constitutional timeframe.

Ghauri criticized the approach, saying the objections were raised in phases. “Once objections are addressed, further objections cannot be submitted. Additionally, the concerns should have been forwarded to the Speaker of the National Assembly, but they were not,” he remarked.

He explained that the initial objections sent to the Speaker’s office were responded to in full. Despite this, the President’s office did not reiterate its stance after receiving the Speaker’s response.

Aslam Ghauri added that under constitutional norms, any proposed amendments must be accompanied by suggestions or solutions, which were conspicuously absent in the case of the Madrasa Act.

The spokesperson concluded by stating that the sequence of events strongly suggests the President’s office may be acting under foreign influence, undermining the legislative process and raising concerns over the independence of the Presidency in such matters.