Punjab government directed earlier today, all eighth grade geography books containing incorrect maps of Pakistan to be taken off shelves and out of the class rooms.
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 of 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: Punjab Textbook Board publishes six provinces map of Pakistan in Class 8 Geography
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 yesterday, 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.
The adjournment motion was moved by Leader of the Opposition Mehmoodur Rasheed. It demanded action against officials responsible for the incorrect maps.
