Pakistan's Defence Ministry has claimed that about 45,000 madrasas in the country continue to train, fund and send terrorists to fight against Afghanistan,
The ministry claimed that these terrorists are educated and equipped and then dispatched to Afghanistan to attack Afghan government forces. Afghan officials have consistently stated that there is a link between certain madrassas in Pakistan and the hardline militant groups sent to fight Afghanistan and its international partners.
The majority of the terrorists captured by Afghan forces in battles have confessed that they were trained and equipped in Pakistani madrasas and then sent in Afghanistan to fight.
Political commentators have reacted cautiously to the MoD claims, saying not all madrasas should be blamed for involvement in terrorist activities and militancy.