ISLAMABAD, April 21: Federal Minister for Education Zobaida Jalal on Wednesday said scouting would help promote peace, love and unity in the world. She was speaking at the 13th National Scouts Jamboree at Jinnah Stadium here on Wednesday. Around 15,000 students including 5,000 scouts attended the jamboree.

Scouts from India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are also participating in the event that is organized after every four years at the national level. Ms Jalal, who is also chief commissioner of Pakistan Boys Scouts Association, said: "I am fully confident that the scouts can help bring peace to the world, which at present is witnessing turmoil everywhere."

She said the participation of scouts from India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan spoke volumes for the desire of peace and love among the younger generations of the region. She thanked the scouts from these countries to be part of the jamboree and hoped that they would keep on coming to Pakistan on such occasions. She emphasized creation of awareness against all forms of global terrorism.

A free-fall display by the army paratroopers was also arranged but it was cancelled due to strong winds. However, an army helicopter landed in the stadium amid deafening cheers from the students just to let the organizers know that the act couldn't be performed.

Scouts from Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, Northern Areas and India presented their regional dances. Punjabi Bhangra by the Indian scouts received a great amount of appreciation.

Talking to the mediapersons after the ceremony, the minister reiterated that neither Quranic verses nor chapters on the ideology of Pakistan were being removed from the curriculum.

"The education ministry is open for criticism as far as its policies are concerned, hence, uncalled-far accusations should be avoided," the minister urged. Replying to a question about shortage of textbooks in the country, the minister said the printing of the textbooks had been stopped due to the controversy and detection of mistakes.

However, the ministry had directed the provincial governments to take adequate measures to meet this shortage as soon as possible, she added. To another question, the minister said to have one academic session throughout the country at school and college level the ministry had sought proposals from the provincial governments.