Comment

By Abdul Majeed Abid

Full of distortions and lies, Pakistan Studies textbooks leave students utterly confused about their history and identity

Identity and illusion

Pakistan Studies is a compulsory part of the curricula in most disciplines taught in Pakista

It has been observed that textbooks in Pakistan promote a certain mindset, which is seldom

The subject of Pakistan Studies was included in the curriculum at almost all educational le Azam University in Islamabad with the intention of exploring Pakistan's geography and ge

This project was expanded during the Zia era to cultivate nationalist passions and create a their book titled "Rewriting the History of Pakistan" published in 1985.

An important Pakistan Studies book that is consulted by students from the matriculation le published by Standard Book House, Urdu Bazar, Lahore. I read the book while preparing fo

While the author cannot be blamed for following the guidelines set by the Syllabus Commi follow the particular warped view of history advocated by right-wing forces.

The first unit of the book is on Ideology of Pakistan, followed by a discussion of the Pakista attempts to implement the Islamic system in Pakistan and the last chapter is focused on re

The book has been dedicated to "selfless warriors of Islam who defeated every attempt to establishment of an Islamic system". It is worth mentioning that "Ideology of Pakistan" is a formation. It was not mentioned in any speech of Mr Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, or the official pr General Sher Ali Khan, who served as the minister of information in Yahya Khan's governm this ideology and his fascination with this ideology since 1949.

This baton was later passed on to the political party which steadfastly opposed the creatio discussion on "Islam as a Revolutionary Movement", a stance that was proposed and later of Pakistan" traces the roots of this ideology to the arrival of Muhammad Bin Qasim in Indi

The portion that deals with the history of Muslim rulers of India for almost one thousand y internecine conflicts among various Muslim rulers and ruling families.

Under the heading, "Reasons for formation of Pakistan", the following subheadings are giv the establishment of an Islamic republic, 4) defense of Urdu language, 5) conservation of Is society, 8) formation of a centre for worldwide Islamic unity.

The description of each one of these aspects is full of biases and does not provide any answ

"separate identity" and there were no such problems during the Muslim rule.

The point that "Islam is a complete code of life" has been repeated in almost each descripti as a reaction to Marxism and Capitalism. Furthermore, Allama Iqbal never advocated the fo Jaafar Zaidi separately), and according to David Gilmartin's research, the slogan "Pakistan 1940s.

It would also surprise the author of the book (and its readers) that Urdu is given more imp Muslims had as many members among the elite as the Hindus, and most leaders of AIML w

The chapter dealing with the history of the Pakistan ideology starts with Mohammad Bin Q Syed Ahmed Shaheed via Shah Waliullah. It is worth mentioning that "Tehrik-e-Jihad" was movement has been discussed in detail by Dr Ayesha Jalal in her book, "Partisans of Allah" in Bengal. It is followed by brief introductions of Aligarh movement, Deoband movement a

In the chapter dealing with problems faced after Partition by Pakistan, the massacre of Hin The author has provided references from almost all those historians who have distorted P Muhammad Ali and Ashiq Batalvi.

The chapter on Islamization of Pakistan's constitution is openly biased towards the author constitutions, the author has focused on "Problems in Islamizing Pakistan's Constitution" a attitude of the military, 5) capitalism, 6) socialism, 7) the West's cultural invasion, and 8) i

The last chapter deals with Pakistan's relations with various Muslim countries. There is no partner and international ally since the 1950s.

This book is read by students while they are in their formative years and the only kind of m lies and distortions in history. No wonder the youth of today are utterly confused about th
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