On the second day of his four day visit to Pakistan, Howells was given a tour of the Madrassa by seminary's Director Faizur Rehman Usmani.
Speaking after the visit, he appreciated the working of the religious school and remarked that good quality education is essential for any country that wants to make the most of its people.
"Having visited several madrassa since becoming the minister I recognise that there are many different types of them, contrary to some of the sensational UK media reporting."
Howells said that he has a particular interest in education having been the education minister in the UK. "I believe it is essential that students have the opportunity to study a broad range of subjects if they are to fulfil their potential. But I also recognise that, like many faith schools in the UK, some madrassas provide the type of religious education and grounding in faith that parents want for their children. That's why it is important for Pakistan to have progressive madrassa, such as Idara Uloom-e-Islami, which offer both religious education and a solid grounding on other subjects."
The British minister said that the UK supports President Musharraf's reforms of madrassa education; but we are equally interested in the proposed reforms of Pakistan's state education system.