PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: The Punjab Education Department has issued orders to confiscate the science book of class six of Lahore Grammar School (LGS) which the department says has obscene material which is provocative for youth.



A special departmental committee, formed on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, has also submitted the report based on its recommendations after a detailed review of controversial issues in the syllabus of the LGS.



The department said the introduction of religious studies “is tantamount to mislead and confuse the young generation with complexity of topics like comparative study of religions at such a lower level”.



Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said that the importance of private sector in promotion of education is quite evident but no one can allow them to misuse this position. He explained that complaints had been received from various sections of society that LGS was indulged in teaching obscene material provocative for the youth.



“The CM took notice of this matter while he was on an official visit to Turkey and constituted a committee which has now completed its findings in this matter. LGS Administration said that they have expunged the objectionable material from their books but the said chapters are still included in the books available in the markets and Urdu Bazaar,” he added.



He further added, “Any further action would be taken after the instructions by the Chief Minister.”



The Punjab government had to take action as the obscene material is available in the market, he said.



“Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan is quite clear about the provision that no Pakistani citizen should be taught a religion other than his own religion", the minister added.



He also said that provocation of youth via obscene material "was also cognizable under Pakistan Penal Code Section 293 and Section 298.”



Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan reiterated that the Punjab government will not allow anyone to make the youth hostage to a foreign mindset by teaching them material which is against social norms, values and religious beliefs.



He also announced the constitution of a special committee under the convener-ship of Secretary Schools Education Punjab Abdul Jabbar Shaheen, which will review the syllabi of all the private sector educational institutions in Punjab.



He appealed to the media to identify objectionable material included in the syllabus of any school. The government will take prompt action against the perpetrators.