The Punjab Assembly has passed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026 by majority vote. The new legislation will exempt certain religious seminaries from separate registration in Punjab.
Under the amendment, seminaries registered with the federal Directorate General of Religious Education will not need provincial re-registration. This exemption will cover both existing and newly registered seminaries.
The decision aims to address administrative and legal difficulties caused by duplicate registration requirements. It also seeks to clarify the legal status of religious seminaries operating across the province.
According to the proposed changes, seminaries registered with the federal directorate will not have to complete another registration process. Similarly, institutions registering with the federal authority in the future will receive the same exemption.
The Punjab Assembly approved the amendment after considering recommendations from its Standing Committee. The legislation will now move to the next stage for final approval.
What Does the Seminaries Registration Amendment Include?
The Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026 proposes introducing a new clause under Section 21 of the Societies Registration Act.
The proposed provision will be added as Section 1A. It will exempt seminaries registered with the federal Directorate General of Religious Education from provincial re-registration.
Previously, seminaries could face separate registration requirements under federal and provincial systems. The amendment seeks to remove this overlapping requirement.
Under the new arrangement, institutions registered with the federal directorate will not need another registration in Punjab. The same rule will apply to seminaries registering with the federal authority later.
The proposed change is intended to make the registration process clearer. It also aims to reduce legal complications arising from duplicate registration requirements.
Punjab Assembly Approves Bill After Committee Recommendation
The provision covering future registrations was added following a recommendation from the Punjab Assembly Standing Committee.
The committee reviewed the amendment and submitted its report to the House. Following the report, the bill was formally presented before assembly members.
Members then approved the legislation through a majority vote. The decision provides a legislative route for removing the separate provincial registration requirement.
The amendment specifically addresses seminaries registered with the federal Directorate General of Religious Education. Other institutions must follow the applicable registration requirements.
What Happens After the Punjab Assembly Approval?
Following its passage, the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be sent to the Governor of Punjab.
The governor’s approval is required before the amendment becomes law. Once approved, the new provision will formally establish the registration exemption.
The change will allow federally registered seminaries to operate without completing a separate provincial registration process. It will also cover institutions registering with the federal directorate in the future.
In other related news also read Punjab Launches Separate Religious Studies for Minorities
The amendment is expected to clarify the registration framework for religious seminaries in Punjab. However, it will become legally effective after completing the required approval process.
