Authorities in Islamabad have ordered an immediate ban on the O-Level Pakistan Studies book The History and Culture of Pakistan by Nigel Kelly, directing all private schools to remove the book from classrooms and libraries.
According to the Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (ICT-PEIRA), private educational institutions have been instructed to immediately discontinue the use of the book in their curriculum. Schools have also been warned against introducing any textbook without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authorities.
The administration has formed surprise inspection teams to check whether the banned book is still being used in schools. Institutions found violating the orders may face legal action and financial penalties.
Officials have also decided to conduct raids on bookshops, declaring the sale of books without official approval or NOCs illegal.
Why Was the Book Banned?
The book, widely used by O-Level students for Pakistan Studies preparation, was previously banned by Pakistan’s National Curriculum Council (NCC) in April 2023. Authorities claim the textbook contains “controversial,” “biased,” and “objectionable” material related to Pakistan’s political history.
According to officials quoted in recent reports, concerns were specifically raised about Chapter 15 of the book, which allegedly discusses political scandals of the 1990s and links issues such as inflation, unemployment, crime, and drug trafficking to certain political leaders. Authorities argued that the content presented opinions and allegations as facts, which they described as “intellectually dishonest” and harmful to national harmony.
Government officials have also stated that the book did not receive approval from the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) or the Curriculum Wing for educational use in Pakistan.
Some earlier official notices additionally alleged that the book contained politically sensitive material and issues related to the depiction of Pakistan’s map.
Cambridge’s Position
According to reports from meetings attended by education officials and Cambridge representatives, Cambridge clarified that The History and Culture of Pakistan is not an officially endorsed Cambridge textbook. However, officials acknowledged that many students continued using it because of the lack of an officially endorsed alternative for O-Level Pakistan Studies.
Earlier Bans in Punjab
The book has faced restrictions before. In 2018 and again in 2024, Punjab authorities issued notifications enforcing bans on the textbook in educational institutions across the province.
The latest action in Islamabad appears to be part of a broader effort by authorities to tighten oversight of educational content being taught in private schools and Cambridge-system institutions.
