ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The changes introduced into the Pakistan Studies curriculum for IX and X classes include events that led Gen Pervez Musharraf to power in Oct 12, 1999, his philosophy of “enlightened moderation” and reforms initiated by his economic team led by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The new Pakistan Studies curriculum discusses all political and military governments of the country.

The curriculum guidelines finalised by the ministry of education have been sent to the provincial textbook boards, which will formulated the books in the light of these guidelines and send them back to the ministry for final clearance before their publication.

The curriculum divides the chequered history of the country into two parts. The first one covers the problems that Pakistan faced as a nascent state until the separation of East Pakistan, while the second part deals with the regime of Z.A. Bhutto, Gen Zia’s military rule, restoration of civilian rule in 1988, the terms of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, and finally the present government led by Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Discussing the Z.A. Bhutto era, the curriculum focuses on the economic reforms during the 1971-77 period, impact of nationalisation on industry, education, commerce and trade, and key features of the 1973 constitution.

A review of Gen Zia’s period (from 1977 to 1988) comprises government efforts for Islamisation, the Junejo government as well as Afghan jihad and refugee problems and their impact on the Pakistani society.

Covering the events between 1988 and 1999, the curriculum only covers the functioning of the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in their two stints each, followed by discussion on Pakistan’s emergence as nuclear power.

However, Gen Pervez Musharraf’s tenure has been covered extensively under the curriculum guidelines. The students will be informed of the causes behind the military take-over of Oct 12, 1999.

They will also study devolution of power to local governments, general elections of 2002 that restored democracy in the country, Gen Musharraf’s philosophy of “enlightened moderation”.

Students will also be taught the present government policies on privatisation and industrialisation as well as its economic reforms.

Requesting anonymity, a ministry official told Dawn that utmost care had been taken lest anything against the government should go in print.