Balochistan, an important part of the economic backbone, especially the CPEC, has an inferior status in the textbooks
TURBAT: This is with reference to a news report in your paper, “Textbook definition of ‘Baloch’ shocks Senate” (March 16). It seems unfortunate that Balochistan, which is considered an important part of Pakistan’s economic backbone today, especially with regard to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, has been reduced to an inferior status through the exposure of the label given to citizens of the province in Pakistani textbooks. This is, indeed, a shocking matter for us — I assure you, we are not uncivilised.
We have been struggling for decades and it seems the literature in sociology textbooks is only perpetuating our struggle and the stereotypes against us.
A school curriculum is a critical document that should be given due diligence when it comes to crafting. It is the main source of disseminating information and providing high quality education to students. The information in the aforementioned textbooks, however, conceptually portrays the Baloch people as outcasts, and in turn, promulgates and encourages discrimination among future generations. The chief minister and the authorities concerned are requested to take meticulous steps for the review of the syllabus in Punjab as soon as possible, before it drags more hatred in the hearts of corruptible young minds.
Nageena Sheeran
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2016.
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