Faisalabad: May 5,2015 (PCP) Chairman Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) Professor Anjum James Paul who has been the member of different committes of the Punjab Curriculum Authority like member of the Provincial Review Committee, Member of the Textbook Review Committee and who had his input in the National Education Policy 2009 and National Curriculum 2006-2007. PMTA has so far 11 reaserach based documents on the National Curriculum 2006-2007 and textbooks of Pakistan from 2007 to 2015 which are the main source to have review in the National Education Policy 2009, National Curriculum 2006-2007 and the textbooks of Pakistan. He said that efforts of PMTA are bearing fruit now. He said that “Role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan” for History 8 and “ Role of minorities in Pakistan” for Pakistan Studies 10 became part of the National Curiculum. Professor Paul said that though National Book Foundation Islamabad has also published the “Role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan” in History 8 in 2014 but Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Lahore (PCTB) has published “Role of Minorities in Pakistan Establishment” in History 8, Date of Printing, April 2015. Edition, Experimental, Impression Ist in more detail . Chairman PMTA further said that authrities of PCTB requested him in February 2015 to develop material for the textbook and the authors of the textbook of History 8, Mr. Mehar Safdar Waleed, Ms. Asiya Anwar Shah and Mr. Ghiyas Amir approved the material for publication. Professor Paul thanked PCTB and the authors of History 8 and expected that the present textbook will be a source of social harmony among the people of different religions.This content will promote peaceful coexistence and national unity as well. Content has been developed in Chapter 5 ‘Struggle for Pakistan’ on pages 64-66. Following material is the part of the textbook. Role of Minorities in Pakistan Establishment The minorities played role in the establishment of Pakistan along with Quaid-e-Azam (R.A). They played full role in Lahore – Resolution , Boundarary Commission and division of Punjab. They also played role in Pakistan Movement, when it was at its peak. Participation of Minorities in Lahore Resolution Many minority leaders attended the Annual meeting of Muslim League which was held on 23rd March 1940, at Minto Park Lahore. Among them were Diwan Bahadar Sittia Parkash Singha, a renowned lawyer Ch Chandu Lal, CE Gibbon, F.E. Chaudary, Raj Kumari Amrit, Fazal Ilahi, Alfried Purshad and S.S. Albert. In the Lahore Resolution, rights of minorities were protected by saying that cultural, political and administrative rights of minorities would be protected in those area, which would become the parts of Pakistan. In 1942, a meeting of All India Muslim League was held on ground of Dhobi Ghat, Lyallpur (Now Faisalabad) in which inaugural address was presented to Quaid-e-Azam (R.A) and Fatima Jinnah by the Indian Christian Association. In response to the address, Quaid-e-Azam (R.A) assured them that equal and fair rights would be granted to minorities in Pakistan. In November 1942 a welcome address was made by Sikh leader Sardar Dilbagh Singh in Kings Garden Lyallpur in the honour of Quid-e-Azam (R.A). In the reception, many minorities’ leaders participated. In reply Quaid-e-Azam (R.A) said that Pakistan would be the solution of all problems of minorities. Next day another reception was given to Quaid-e-Azam(R.A) in which many leaders of Christian, scheduled caste, Hindus, Sikhs, Anglo- Indian and Europeans, were present. In the reception, the president of S.P. Singha assured Quaid-e-Azam (R.A) for the full cooperation of minorities in the struggle for independence of Pakistan. Moreover, the Indian Christian Association declared its affiliations with all India Muslim League. Minorities Role in the Boundary Commission The Punjab Boundary Commission comprised of Justice Din Muhammad, Sir Zafarullah Khan and Sardar Baddar Singh. Appearing before it S.P.Singha and other leader like CE Gibbon and Fazal Ilahi recorded statements, requesting that the Christian population may be counted as a part of Pakistan. The bold decision of the Christians to stand with the Muslim League was termed as their vote for Pakistan. Other minorities associations like the Joint Christian Board, Punjab Scheduled Caste Federation, All India Christian Association Punjab and Baba Gewin Singh of Amritsar sent their declarations to Boundary Commission to be included in Pakistan. Ramdasia Sikh’s leader Puran Singh Ramdasia also sent a declaration to the Boundary Commission to decide their fate with the Muslims of Punjab. In the same way the scheduled castes may be included with the Muslims of Pakistan. Jugader Nath Mandil also endorsed the declarations. Mandil was the close associate of Quaid-e-Azam (R.A) and became the first Law Minister of Pakistan. He played a very important role in Pakistan Movement. He and other scheduled caste leaders also demanded to be included in the province of Punjab where Muslims were in majority. Parsi community also played an important role. Their leaders Jamshed Nusser Wangee Mehta became the mayor of Karachi after establishment of Pakistan. He rendered unique services in the rehabilitation of migrated population. In the final days of Pakistan Movement, Quaid-e-Azam (R.A) met the Christian leader Ch. Chandu Lal and the Sikh leader Giani Kartar Singh in Lahore in order to convince minorities to support Pakistan. A significant development in October 1947 was the formation of peace board with five members representing both Muslims and Non-Muslims. The board was entrusted with the responsibility of helping the government for the peace among the various communities. The members of the board were Professor Jethimal Parasram, Professor N.R. Malkani, Sheikh Abdul Majeed, Mukta Govind Ram and Agha Gulam Nabi Pathan. On the line a peace council was set up in Punjab comprising leaders from among Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. Christians were represented by Mr. S.P. Singha and Mr. C.E. Gibbon.