Pakistan’s Textbooks
Our Pakistan report presents an in-depth analysis of 86 government-approved textbooks used across
Punjab, Sindh, and federal school boards, covering a range of subjects and grade levels. This comprehensive review examines how these materials address themes such as diversity, coexistence, gender equality and democracy.
While some lessons do encourage tolerance and mutual respect, particularly in isolated sections, the review found that many textbooks still fall significantly short of UNESCO-based standards for promoting peace, respect, and anti-incitement. They frequently sideline non-Muslims and foster hostility towards specific groups such as Jews and Pakistan’s neighbor India. Routinely, religious content is integrated into non-religious subjects, with jihad often framed as armed struggle or defense.
Further issues include gender equality, where women’s contributions are acknowledged but overshadowed by restrictive roles, dress codes, and limited agency, and a confrontational foreign policy narrative repeatedly depicting Pakistan as a vanguard of the Muslim world, often at odds with the West.
Overall, these findings raise important concerns about how Pakistan’s education system addresses issues including diversity, democracy, and gender equality.