Ulema to approve religion-related content in Islam, History, Pak Studies textbooks

Punjab Assembly unanimously approves bill moved by PML-Q MPA

LAHORE: The provincial assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (Amendment) Bill 2020, making approval of a board of Ulema compulsory for publishing content related to religion in textbooks.

Any textbook or part of curriculum with contents related to Islam in Islamiyat, history, Pakistan studies, Urdu literature or any other subject shall not be published before approval of the Muttahida Ulema Board, Punjab. The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board shall be bound to take the approval from the Ulema board.

The board of religious scholars is mandated to recommend ban on books which contain objectionable material. The bill stated that it would be advisable to get prior approval of the board instead of getting its recommendations afterwards.

The bill was move by PML-Q MPA Khadija Umar. The opposition and the treasury lawmakers congratulated each other over its adoption.

Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi said the Punjab Assembly had closed the doors of wrong messages being spread in the name of Islam through different tactics in books. “We wanted to protect the coming generations. This country came into existence in the name of Islam and we cannot compromise on controversial content,” he said.

Earlier, as the day’s assembly proceedings started, the speaker expressed displeasure over Senior Food Minister Aleem Khan’s absence from the session. He said he could not do anything if the minister was in Islamabad but he should have been in the House.

Speaker Elahi also appeared to be dissatisfied over the answers given by Parliamentary Secretary Rai Zahoor Ahmed. Finally, the speaker deferred all questions related to the ministry and said the minister concerned would reply properly to the queries.

Meanwhile, PML-N lawmakers walked out of the house in protest against the arrest of opposition leader.

The House was adjourned till Friday.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2020.