Incorrect maps: Punjab govt orders books to be taken off shelves

Reports say Punjab Textbook Board was aware wrong maps had been printed in the books but failed to take action

LAHORE: Punjab government directed on Saturday all eighth grade geography books containing incorrect maps of Pakistan to be taken off shelves, Express News reported.

Further, students have been asked to return the books containing incorrect maps and the Punjab government has directed action against members of the education department.  It has been revealed that the Punjab Textbook Board (PTB) was aware that wrong maps had been printed but had failed to take any action.

Of the 1.5 lakh eighth grade geography books printed by the PTB, 50,ooo of them contained incorrect maps of the Punjab and Pakistan. The maps mentioned Hazara and Seraikistan as provinces and referred to Indian-held Kashmir as a disputed territory.

Read: Budget session: Probe ordered on incorrect maps in textbooks, says Sanaullah

The Punjab government has also ordered an inquiry committee to be formed and the Punjab Textbook Board’s chairperson, Nawazish Ali, has been appointed as head of the committee. However, it has been revealed that the books were printed under his supervision in the first place.

Earlier on Friday, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told the provincial assembly that an investigation had been ordered and a report sought on inclusion of incorrect maps in PTB's geography textbooks. Sanaullah requested the House to wait for the completion of the inquiry before proceeding with an adjournment motion seeking action against officials responsible for the mistake.

Read: 'Inaccurate' maps of India, Pakistan taken off US State Dept website

The adjournment motion was moved by Leader of the Opposition Mehmoodur Rasheed. It demanded action against officials responsible for the incorrect maps. Rasheed said the House had already passed resolutions in support of a division of the province if needed and the matter could be taken forward through political consensus.