Federal Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah on May 6 dispelled the impression that the Centre has launched a crackdown against religious institutions, saying the Government has no intention to close down madrassas, reports The Express Tribune. “The madrassas and the mosques are playing a pivotal role in serving Muslims and as such the government has no intention to crack down against madrassas,” Shah said during his meeting with the Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi. “However, we will make efforts for eradicating extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence at all levels,” he said.