LAHORE, Nov 28: Jaag Executive Director Amir Riaz has criticised “misquotes and wrong information” in Pakistan Studies Class-IX and -X textbooks, identifying 19 examples including a paragraph from Allama Iqbal’s Khutba Allahbad, which actually does not exist in the original.

Speaking at a briefing on material being printed in textbooks by the Punjab Textbook Board at a local hotel on Wednesday, Mr Riaz pointed out that the textbooks printed in February 2012 carried wrong information about historical perspectives.

He said the textbooks also carried material related to outdated information like 1998-2000 education policy; the new National Education Policy was launched in 2009.

Similarly, he said, the information related to motorway was about when the project was conceived. He said the PTB had also given a 16-page chapter on dictator Ayub Khan.

Mr Riaz suggested that the PTB should include texts that should create loyalty to the country and better mental training rather than discussing violence and extremism. He said good stories from history by Sheikh Saadi and Soofi Tabassum could be taught to young children.

He admitted that the PTB had this year rectified a mistake in the text of Lahore Resolution as written on the Minar-i-Pakistan after pointing out last year. Still, he said, the incorrect version was available in the Pakistan Studies Class-VIII textbook.

Mr Riaz said publishers did not have required manpower, most importantly editors in relevant fields. He stressed that the Punjab government and the PTB should constitute consultative committees comprising the stakeholders and the civil society organisations to purify text before printing.

He agreed Jaag should have launched this campaign a couple of months ago when the PTB was in the process of reviewing textbook manuscripts by review and technical committees.

At present, more than 100 textbook manuscripts have been reviewed and approved by the technical review committees and the statutory body – the Punjab Curriculum Authority. The manuscripts are now with the publishers for printing purposes so that all books could be brought to market before the beginning of next academic session in April 2013.

Mr Riaz said the constitution of consultative committees should be formed to review the textbooks that would come in the market before the next academic session.

Actionaid Punjab Manager Daud Saqlain and Irfan Hoat also spoke.