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Distortion of history and culture in the official textbooks of Pakistan has reached a point of no return. A group of independent and highly-respected Pakistani scholars, after a detailed analysis of the school textbooks, have concluded that the material is directly opposed to the goals and values of a "progressive, moderate and democratic" Pakistan.
In an incisive study titled `the subtle subversion: the state of curricula and textbooks in Pakistan,' compiled by renowned scholars A.H. Nayyar and Ahmed Salim, a forceful case has been made for a complete rewriting of the textbooks. The study covers textbooks of Urdu, social studies and civics.
The authors believe that the most significant problems in the current curriculum and textbooks include inaccuracies of fact and omissions that serve to substantially distort the nature and significance of actual events in the history of Pakistan.
The curriculum could lead to incitement of militancy and violence, including encouragement of jehad and shahadat and perspectives that encourage prejudice, bigotry and discrimination towards fellow citizens, especially women and religious minorities and other nations, they felt.
A unique view of Pakistan is sought to be presented through distortion of history. Sindh social studies textbook for class VI perhaps takes the cake. In these books, Muhammad-bin-Qasim is declared as the first Pakistani citizen. "The conquest of Sindh opened a new chapter in the history of South Asia. Muslims had ever-lasting effects of their existence in the region. For the first time, the people of Sindh were introduced to Islam, its political system and way of government. The people here had seen only the atrocities of the Hindu Rajas...
The study says that an extraordinary result of defining Pakistan in terms of religion is something which is unprecedented in historical narration. A textbook of Pakistan Studies says "as a matter of fact, Pakistan came to be established for the first time when the Arabs under Muhammad-bin-Qasim occupied Sindh and Multan in the early years of the eighth century and established Muslim rule in this part of the South Asian sub-continent.Pakistan under the Arabs comprised the Lower Indus Valley"
It says that wars with India are mentioned in patriotic not historical terms. In 1965 "Pakistan occupied several areas of India, and when India was on the point of being defeated she requested the United Nations to arrange a cease-fire". The 1971 war that led to dismemberment of Pakistan and birth of Bangladesh has been dealt in a similar manner.
"After the 1965 war, India, with
the help of Hindus living in East Pakistan instigated the people living
there against the people of West Pakistan and at last, in December 1971,
herself invaded East Pakistan. The conspiracy resulted in the separation
of East Pakistan from us. All of us should receive military training and
be prepared to fight the enemy," says one of the textbooks in Punjab province.
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