LAHORE: The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) on Thursday banned a book being taught to students of O-Level for containing ‘anti-Pakistan’ material and also filed a criminal complaint with local police against the publisher.

The book titled ‘The History & Culture of Pakistan’ written by Nigel Kelly published by Peak Publishing for the Cambridge O-Level Pakistan Studies syllabus is reportedly being used as reading material in educational institutions in Pakistan.

PCTB Managing Director Abdul Qayum had issued a circular for the awareness of secretary schools, DPI and all provinces about banning the book.

According to the letter, the PCTB has banned the book on the basis of raving objectionable and controversial material and has not been got approved from the board for study in educational institutions in any form under section (10) of the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Act, 2015.

Under the act, there were certain prohibitions including no person shall, except with the prior approval of the board, print, publish, sell or prescribe in an institution any textbook or supplementary material. An application for approval to print, publish, sell or prescribe in an institution a textbook or supplementary material shall be made in such manner and form and on the payment of such fee as may be prescribed.

The board may direct any person to amend, delete or withdraw any portion or the whole of curriculum textbook or supplementary material. The board may prohibit any person or agency from producing, printing, publishing, selling or using in an institution any textbook or supplementary material or any part of it.

The board shall not approve the printing, publication, selling or prescribing in an institution of any textbook or supplementary material which is or is likely to be detrimental for examination or assessment purposes, or which contains anything repugnant to the injunctions of Islam, or contrary to the integrity, defence or security of Pakistan or any part of Pakistan public order or morality.

If the board issues a direction or prohibition under subsections (3) or (4) to a person or an agency such person or agency shall within the time specified by the board, submit an implementation report to the board.

The said book must not be used as textbook, supplementary reading material, reference book or guide book etc at any level. It is to be treated as most important/urgent and strict compliance be ensured.

PCTB Deputy Director Akhtar Butt had lodged the complaint with the Garden Town police station against the publisher.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2018