Rabbani to take up ‘hate contents in book’ with Punjab CM
Senators from both sides of the divide on Friday demanded strict action against the author and publisher of a sociology book for Intermediate for incorporating derogatory and hateful contents about the Balochs.
Speaking on a point of order, Senator Mir Kabir Ahmed of the National Party said the Baloch people had been described as “uncivilised people, barbarians and plunderers” in the book of the Punjab Text Book Board. He said this book was being taught as a course book in Punjab for long but no notice had been taken by the authorities concerned. Ahmed questioned as to what message was being given to the people of Pakistan through such an approach about the Balochs. He demanded immediate ban on the book and stern action against its author.
On his turn, Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq termed the “hate content” as “unfortunate”, and expressed surprise on how such a book was being taught without any notice. He suggested formation of a special committee to ascertain the facts.
Senator Mushahidullah Khan termed it an anti-state activity, and said “the time has come to review our syllabus”. He said that both the author and publisher should be taken to task.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said that a change in the syllabus had been brought by former dictator Ziaul Haq under an ordinance. “Our syllabus books contained insufficient contents about democracy and its benefits while more weightage had been given to the dictators and their policies,” he remarked. Rabbani assured the senators he would take up the issue with Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and then take the House into confidence.