PESHAWAR: An organisation of the Yousafzai tribe has demanded removal of a ‘derogatory’ essay in the English book of class-IX about a Pakhtun hero.

In a statement issued here, Yousafzai Qaumi Jirga, said a delegation of notable Yousafzai elders representing all walks of life held a meeting with Mohammad Asgher, Chairman Textbook Board, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, recently, to urge him to remove the controversial essay. It said the textbook board official assured of deleting the essay ‘The Snare’ about Malik Kalu Khan Yousafzai from the textbook.

However, the delegation was not satisfied with assurance of mere removal of the infamous essay and stressed its replacement by accommodating a lesson to make for the damage done to the reputation of Pakhtun hero and to portray correct heroic role of Kalu Khan to recoup his honour and character.

The delegation also demanded stern action against the persons responsible for including the essay into the textbook. The jirga pointed out that Kalu Khan was a Pakhtun freedom icon, who is adored and respected as a Pakhtun hero as he inflicted a humiliating defeat through his sagacious tactics on the Mughal army in 1586 AD, which was dispatched by Emperor Akbar under his trusted general Zain Khan and his favourite courtier Birbal.

It said author Prof Mohibullah had demeaned the hero as a dacoit, demonised him as a robber and ridiculed him as a fool devoid of common sense. The jirga which comprises, among others, of Prof Abdul Hameed (pediatrician), Engr Ijaz Yousafzai, Javed Iqbal Advocate and Prof Abseen Yousafzai, demanded stern action against the author and other persons responsible for allowing the “hate material” against Yousafzai ruler in the textbook , which has poisoned the little minds of pupils against their hero.

When contacted, provincial minister for elementary education Atif Khan said an inquiry had been conducted in the matter and instructions issued to relevant officials for early replacement of the essay. The minister while quoting the essay’s author said he had not written it against the hero of Yousufzai tribe but it was against someone else.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2016