MINGORA: Civil society activists on Sunday protested against the Punjab Textbook Board for incorporating ‘insulting remarks’ against Pakhtuns in the Pakistan Studies book and demanded of the provincial government to take action against the officials behind the conspiracy.

Led by Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party local leader Dr Khalid Mehmood Gujar, the activists belonging to different parts of Swat gathered in front of the local media houses, chanting slogans against the Punjab Textbook Board.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gujar said Pakhtun nation had glorious past, and use of derogatory remarks against them in the textbook was based on bias against Pakhtuns.

“Pakhtuns are one of the major ethnic groups in the country; they are patriotic citizens and always extended sacrifices for the sake of Pakistan, and using disgraceful words in the textbook against them is intolerable,” he blasted.

Dr Gujar said the Punjab Textbook Board had violated the country’s constitution by committing the mistake, adding the Punjab government deliberately tried to hide facts about Pakhtuns.

He said such a disgracing move from the bigger province meant creating conflict between different ethnic groups which could lead to unrest in the country.

“Treating Pakhtuns as enemies is sad and condemnable which will invite ethnic clashes in the country,” he warned.

The PkMAP leader said Pakhtuns were being treated discriminately and Punjab police teased them in the province.

The civil society members demanded of the federal and Punjab governments to immediately remove such a language in the Pak Studies book and take strict action against those behind the conspiracy.

They also appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of the blunder and order removal of the derogatory remarks against Pakhtuns in the textbook.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2017