Pakistan, April 3 -- India's parliament passed a bill on Thursday aimed at reforming Waqf boards, which manage vast Muslim landholdings. The government claims the bill will increase transparency and reduce corruption in these boards, which control significant properties gifted by Muslim charitable endowments. The reform gives civil servants greater powers to oversee Waqf boards, a move the government says will help curb mismanagement.

The Waqf boards collectively own around 900,000 acres of land across India, making them one of the largest landholders. Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill, arguing that it would reduce corruption and the influence of powerful groups within the boards. The bill passed the lower house of parliament aft...