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Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Youm-e-Takbeer' today
LAHORE: 'Youm-e-Takbeer', to commemorate the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, is being observed on Wednesday (today) with a firm resolve to safeguard country's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. The government has already declared public holiday on Wednesday and all the public and private entities will remain closed. On May 28, 1998, Pakistan became the seventh nuclear nation of the world and the first Muslim state having the nuclear arsenal in its defence stockpile. The team of Pakistan's scientists led by founder of Pakistan's nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Dr Samar Mubarakmand carried out nuclear tests in the RasKoh Hills in the Chaghai District of Balochistan. These tests not only demonstrated the resolve of the Pakistani nation to safeguard Pakistan's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, but also the desire to preserve strategic balance in South Asia. Public holiday on occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer It may be added that the historic statement of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that they would starve, but transform the country into a nuclear power, led to achievement of this milestone. By resisting the mounting external pressures, the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif went for taking the bold decision to test the Pakistani nukes in response to Indian nuclear tests and thus balancing the strategic slanting power in the region. To mark the day, rallies, seminars and other functions will be held. TV channels will present special programmes. 'May 28 holds a historic significance in Pakistan's history. This day is a symbol of our national sovereignty, security, and unity,' Punjab's Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, said, adding: 'Pakistan is a peaceful nuclear power and we take great pride in this fact. Under the courageous leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests and sent a clear message to the world that we will never compromise on our freedom and sovereignty.' He said, 'On Youm-e-Takbeer, we pay tribute to our scientists, armed forces, and political leadership who made the country's defense invincible.' He further emphasized that minorities are equal participants in the defense and development of the nation, and Youm-e-Takbeer is a matter of collective pride for all Pakistanis, regardless of their religion. Moreover, Punjab Minister for Sports, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar attended a solemn ceremony held at Government Graduate College for Women, Samanabad in connection with Youm-e-Takbeer. Speaking on the occasion, Faisal said that May 28 is a day that symbolises Pakistan's defense sovereignty and stands as a shining emblem of our national pride, resilience, and unity. He emphasised that Youm-e-Takbeer not only marks Pakistan's emergence as an invincible nuclear power on the world map but also reminds us of the sacrifices, unity, and determination of the nation. He paid tribute to the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Mian Nawaz Sharif, acknowledging that it was due to his courageous leadership that Pakistan became a nuclear power and thwarted the malicious intentions of its enemies. The provincial minister highlighted the importance of honoring our martyrs, scientists, engineers, and all those who contributed to the successful completion of the nuclear program. He further stated that it is our duty to educate the younger generation about the significance of Youm-e-Takbeer so they can draw inspiration from the sacrifices of their forefathers and play an active role in the development and defense of the nation. Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar reaffirmed his commitment that Pakistan is ready to make every sacrifice for its security and sovereignty. On this occasion, the entire college resonated with patriotic fervor as students highlighted the significance of the day through national songs and speeches. The event was attended by the college's principal Rashida Qureshi, Vice Principal Mehwish Ali, faculty members, and a large number of students. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
CM announces relief package for families of martyrs: Azma
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that India's so-called Operation Sindoor has effectively turned into 'Tandoor.' 'The Modi government has no response left,' she declared, adding: 'They took pride in their aircraft, air defense systems and missiles; and we brought it all to ashes.' Azma Bokhari confirmed that Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos had been successfully completed. She added that a Day of Gratitude was observed on the Prime Minister's instructions to mark the victory. Moreover, the Chief Minister of Punjab instructed all schools to honour this day during morning assemblies. She shared that the Chief Minister personally visited CMH Hospital to inquire after the wounded and expressed solidarity with the families of the martyrs. 'The nation salutes its martyrs who embraced martyrdom in the face of Indian aggression,' Bokhari said. Criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech, Bokhari called it 'defeated and baseless.' She remarked, 'Mr Modi thought this was a Bollywood film where Pakistan could be easily defeated, but this was real, not a cinematic scene.' Taking a strong stance against Indian media, Bokhari said, 'Instead of spreading propaganda, face the facts. We've only shown the trailer — the full movie is yet to come.' She emphasized that the sacrifices of Pakistani citizens do not require compensation. 'Nonetheless, the Chief Minister will soon announce a relief package for the families of the martyrs,' she added. 'We are ready to sacrifice everything for our soil and our heroes.' Azma Bokhari paid tribute to the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, stating, 'Nawaz Sharif is not just a leader, he is a visionary. On May 10, he, alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, played a historic role in defending the nation. The entire operation was designed under Nawaz Sharif's leadership.' Later, Minister Azma Bokhari visited CMH Hospital where she met with war veterans and soldiers injured during the recent Indian aggression. She paid a heartfelt tribute to the brave sons of the soil who laid down their lives for the nation's honour. 'The martyrs and veterans of this war are the pride of our nation,' she stated. 'Their sacrifices are unforgettable, and the Pakistani nation will always be indebted to these heroes.' Azma Bokhari concluded by saying that the entire nation salutes the Pakistan Armed Forces on this historic victory. 'Our martyrs and veterans have upheld the honour of our land. Their unmatched sacrifices will forever guide us.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
A curriculum of exclusion
Despite concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding the problematic aspects of the Single National Curriculum (SNC), the coalition government led by Pakistan Muslim League-N paid no attention and only renamed it the National Curriculum of Pakistan (NCP). Article 25A of the Constitution of Pakistan provides for free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 16, however, a report by the Pakistan Institute of Education in collaboration with UNESCO has revealed that the number of out-of-school children has increased to 26.2 million. About two million more girls than boys are out of school in the country. At the end of sixth grade, the school dropout rate is 59 percept for girls and 49 percept for boys – a concerning difference. The key contributing factors are inadequate state investment in education (only 1.5% of GDP), lack of infrastructure, incapable teachers, insufficient learning resources, deficient textbooks, gender disparity and abject poverty. Examinations emphasize rote learning while fundamental skills like language proficiency and logical reasoning are often neglected. Pakistan is a multi-linguistic, multi-religion and multi-cultural country. To celebrate the diversity and to promote an inclusive society, the education system in any country plays a key role. Textbooks are critical tools for teaching knowledge and impacting students' behaviours; they can either inculcate social harmony or strengthen biases and hatred. There is a direct link between exclusionary narratives in textbooks and rising social intolerance against religious and sectarian minorities in the country. A critical analysis of 145 textbooks of compulsory subjects for Grades 1-10 such as; English, Urdu, General Knowledge, Social Studies, History and Pakistan Studies by federal and provincial boards was conducted by Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) to gauge the changes after NCP. The review reveals the level of inclusivity, gender parity and compliance with fundamental right guaranteed in Article 22(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, which prohibits educational institutions from compelling students to study or receive instruction in a religion other than their own. Key observations The review of textbooks revealed varying degrees of inclusive content concerning minorities, women and persons with disabilities. The analysis found that the chapters in textbooks of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board and the National Book Foundation indicated the highest level of inclusive content (7%), followed by Sindh (6.4%), Balochistan (5.4%) and Punjab (5.2%). Although the textbooks published by the Sindh Textbook Board had a lower percentage of chapters manifesting religious inclusivity, the inclusive content was more far-reaching as compared to the other boards. Moderate efforts to promote inclusivity are made in all boards. For instance, the use of diverse names such as Vicky, Rita, Priya, and discussion of festivals like Eid, Holi, and Christmas introduces students to cultural and religious diversity. Women's achievements are highlighted with role models like Fatima Jinnah, Dr Ruth Pfau and Arfa Karim. Additionally, stories featuring narratives about social harmony and challenges faced by persons with disabilities, such as a protagonist in a wheelchair or a child with polio, are included. While this inclusion is commendable, it is limited in scope and remains overshadowed by dominant ideological narratives. The study revealed the presence of hate material against minority religions in varying degrees which included negative portrayal, one-sided views, moral characterization, and stereotyping of a faith identity, etc. The highest frequency of hate content was found in textbooks for Pakistan Studies (15%) followed by History (4%). The study pointed out that some progress had been made in reducing hateful content against religious minorities in all boards. There is a marked inclusion of content centred on the majority religion across non-religious subjects, which all students, including those from religious minorities, have to learn to pass exams. The chapters explicitly focused on the majority religion appeared in textbooks in the following ratios: 39.6% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 39.4% in Punjab, 29.8% in National Book Foundation, 25.9% in Balochistan, and 18.7% in Sindh. A cumulative total of 389 images depicting places of worship and tombs were found reflecting a significant disparity in representation of places of worship from diverse faiths. Mosques dominate the imagery, appearing 258 times (66%), followed by tombs, which appear 113 times (29%). In contrast, the representation of places of worship for religious minorities is significantly fewer with churches and temples depicted only seven times each, while Gurdwaras appear merely four times across all textbooks examined. The images of other religious sites, such as those of the Baha'i, Kalasha, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian communities, are entirely absent, highlighting a lack of acknowledgment of the full spectrum of religious diversity in the country. Textbooks across Pakistan's boards predominantly depict girls and women in a specific dress code, emphasizing the hijab as a normative part of female attire. The depiction of headscarves spans all ages and professions, from preschool-aged children to professional women. This strong emphasis on religious attire, particularly in primary textbooks, reflects a deliberate effort to normalize the hijab as an essential aspect of a girl's identity. The prevalence of hijab imagery from Grade 1 underscores the perceptions of authors and reviewers about gender and dress codes at a formative age. The lack of representation of diverse dress styles risks marginalizing those who do not conform to the dominant narrative, thereby perpetuating stereotypes and limiting the appreciation for diversity and individuality. The textbooks heavily rely on traditional gender stereotypes, depicting women and young girls in roles confined within socially defined boundaries. Young girls are shown assisting their mothers with household chores, engaging in indoor activities, or participating in limited sports like badminton. Adult women are primarily portrayed as housewives managing domestic responsibilities such as; childcare and cooking or as professionals in limited roles. This portrayal reinforces gender biases, marginalizes women's potential, and limits their representation in diverse and empowered roles, and fails to inspire students with inclusive and progressive role models. Charting a future course There is a dire need to introduce more learning content manifesting sensitivity towards diverse religions, peace-building, acceptance and gender parity. Following are the recommendations to the government, especially the education ministries and textbook boards in the country: Refrain from introducing any legislation, or policy measures that contravene the constitutional protections of religious freedom and non-discrimination, as enshrined in Articles 20, 22(1), and 25 of the Constitution. Ensure that textbooks of compulsory subjects for students of all faiths do not include content that is of majority faith, ensuring full compliance with Article 22(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Ensure balanced and equitable representation of all religious communities by incorporating content on religious beliefs, practices, places of worship, and festivals in textbooks, reflecting the country's religious diversity and fostering social cohesion. Incorporate positive narratives in textbooks that emphasize the shared heritage, cultural diversity and significant contributions of minority communities to Pakistan's history, culture, and development, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect among students from diverse backgrounds. Conduct independent reviews of curricula and textbooks before their finalization and publication, to identify and address biases, gaps, and exclusionary narratives, ensuring inclusivity and equity in educational materials. Ensure that federal and provincial governments implement policy regarding religious education as an alternative to Islamiyat/Ethics, including recruiting qualified teachers to facilitate minority students study their respective religions in schools. Limit the role of the Ulema Board in Punjab strictly to reviewing content specific to Islamiyat textbooks, ensuring their input remains within their area of competence. Moreover, broader curricular decisions should be guided by educational experts to uphold constitutional guarantees. Ensure that textbook content includes open-ended questions and interactive activities that encourage critical thinking, empathy, and respect for diversity, and stimulate discussions on acceptance and inclusivity. Develop guidelines for teachers on teaching topics related to religion, culture, gender and persons with disabilities in an unbiased and respectful manner to foster an inclusive classroom environment. Eliminate content and images in textbooks that depict girls and women in stereotypical gender roles and present them exclusively in religious attire. Moreover, adopt a more inclusive portrayal of women from various religious and cultural backgrounds in diverse professions and leadership positions, recognizing their contributions in all spheres of life. Implement a strategy to address complaints of harassment, bullying, and discrimination faced by girls, minorities, and persons with disabilities in educational institutions, and introduce safeguards to protect students, teachers, and educational institutions from violence and abuse, creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. Ensure compliance of the directives of Supreme Court Order No. ii (SMC No. 1 of 2014) which ordered the government to develop curricula aimed at fostering religious and social tolerance at both school and college levels. Nabila Feroz Bhatti is a human rights activist and columnist. She is Member Working Group at National Commission on the Rights of Child. She can be reached at nabilaferoz@ and on X @NabilaFBhatti All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author
Business Recorder
27-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM meets MPA, discusses people-friendly initiatives
LAHORE: 'Pakistan Muslim League-N has launched many public welfare projects in every tenure,' said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with Member Provincial Assembly Malik Noshir Khan Anjum Langrial for a discussion on her people-friendly initiatives. The CM added, 'Thanks to the effective and sustainable initiatives of the Punjab government, paths of development and prosperity are opening for the farmers. Promise of providing free medicines to patients will be fulfilled at all costs.' The visiting MPA Malik Noshir Khan Anjum Langrial thanked Madam Chief Minister for the launch of Multan-Vehari Road project. He said, 'The completion of Multan-Vehari Road will benefit millions of people living in the four adjoining districts. Completion of every project of the Punjab government will solve public problems.' Malik Noshir Khan Langrial said, 'Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's determination to transform Punjab into a welfare state is commendable.' He added, 'Her Wheat Farmers Support Program is a wonderful initiative.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
CM orders enforcement of transport fares
Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to ensure that the fares set by the government are charged from the passengers returning after spending the Eid holidays in their hometowns. According to an official statement, the chief minister directed the authorities to take strict action against those charging high fares from the passengers in Lahore and other cities. She stated, "In case of overcharging, fares collected from the passengers should be refunded, and a fine should be imposed on the bus staff." She added, "Fitness of vehicles should be checked, and no unfit vehicle should be allowed to ply on the roads, which puts passengers' lives at risk." The CM said, "No vehicle on any route should be overloaded and complete adherence to traffic laws should be enforced." Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif offered the Eid prayers at Jati Umra along with other family members. Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the graves of their elders. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also extended Eid greetings to children suffering from autism on the eve of World Autism Awareness Day. She reaffirmed her commitment to the education, training and rehabilitation of children suffering from autism. She stated, "For the first time in Punjab, special education and special children have also been included among the list of priorities. Work is under way to introduce employment programmes along with the Rising Star Card for the special children." The CM said, "The first government autism school of Pakistan is rapidly nearing its final phase of completion in Lahore, and the facility will also provide early autism diagnosis in the first phase. Early diagnosis of autism in children during their tender age of three years makes treatment more effective and curable." She added that 12 autism units had been established at special education centres. Autism centres have also been set up in 27 divisional public schools across the province. She said a packed meal programme for the differently-abled children had been launched and digital touchscreens were being installed at the district special education centres of excellence. A Special Education Information System and a dedicated helpline (1162) have been established, while a mobile app has also been functionalised.
