Role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan included in the textbooks of Pakistan on the demand of Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA). Professor Anjum James Paul, Chairman Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) has expressed satisfaction on the inclusion of the role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan in chapter 5 ‘ Struggle for Pakistan’ in the subject of History for grade-VIII, First Edition 2014, Code 521, Publisher: National Book Foundation. He said that with the present material Muslim majority students and teachers will come to know about the great role played by the Christians, Sikhs and Hindus in the creation of Pakistan. The province of Punjab occupies more than 60 percent population of Pakistan. This province became the part of Pakistan with the votes of the Christian members of the assembly at the time of the division of India.
In the content, role of minorities in the Lahore Resolution 1940, role of Christians at the time of resolution of Punjab Assembly in the favour of independence of Pakistan and casting vote in favour of the resolution and requesting the Boundary Commission to include them among the Muslims during the division of Punjab. The names of the prominent Hindu , Sikh and Christian leaders of Pakistan Movement like Dewan Bahadur S.P. Singha, R.A. Gomez, F.E. Chaudhry, Sardar Dilbagh Singh, Jogandar Nath Mandal, C.E. Gibbon, Fazal Ellahi, Chaudhry Chandu Lal, Sir Joseph Burr, Mr. Paythan Joseph and Mr. B.G. Harmony are part of the textbook.
Professor Paul further said that this content will be published in all the textbooks of Pakistan of History-VIII by all the Textbook Boards of Pakistan.
Following text is the part of the textbooks of History-VIII
‘All India Muslim League under the able guidance of Quaid-i-Azam promoted an Islamic system based on justice, fair play and equality. Quaid-i-Azam promised equal rights for all Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians even though they would be a minority in the newly established Muslim state. Therefore, people like Sir Joseph Burr, member Viceroy’s council. Mr. Paythan Joseph, Editor “Hindustan Times” and Mr. B.G. Harmony, Editor, “Daily Dawn” newspaper fully supported the Muslim demand for a separate homeland. In the historic Muslim League session of Lahore 1940, Speaker Punjab Assembly Dewan Bhadar S.P. Singh, R.A. Gomes, Fazal Ellahi and F.I. Chaudhry were all present to support the demand of Pakistan.
In 1942, at All India Muslim League (Punjab) Convention Lyallpur (Faisalabad), the welcome was presented by Christian Association. Quaid-i-Azam assured all minorities that equal status would be given to them.In return Sikh leader Sardar Dilbagh Singh while representing the minorities, announced his support for Pakistan. At the time of resolution of Punjab Assembly in the favour of independence of Pakistan. Sardar Bhadar Singh (C hristian) Speaker Punjab Assembly casted his vote in favour of the resolution. The Christians, C.E. Gibbon, Fazal Ellahi, Dewan Bhadar S.P.Singh requested the Boundary Commission to group them with the Muslims. Chaudhry Chandu Lal had visited Gurdaspur and Pathankot to propagate the campaign for the creation of Pakistan. Jogander Nath Mandal and the other untouchables had also requested the Boundary Commission to include them among the Muslims during the division of Punjab. The minorities had proved themselves as a great asset of the country through their remarkable services towards the making of Pakistan.’
Professor Paul said that there is still need for improvement on the role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan. He suggested correcting 1. Instead of ‘Dewan Bhadar S.P. Singh’ on page 84, line 26, to ‘Dewan Bahadur S.P. Singha’. 2. Instead of ‘F.I. Chaudhry’ on page 84, line 27, to ‘F.E. Chaudhry’. 3. Instead of ‘( C hristian)’ on page 85, line 2, to ‘(Christian)’. 4. Instead of ‘Dewan Bhadar S.P. Singh’ on page 85, line 4, to ‘Dewan Bahadur S.P. Singha’. 5. Instead of ‘Jogander Nath Mandal and the other untouchables had also requested the Boundary Commission to include them among the Muslims during the division of Punjab.’ on page 85, lines 7-9, to ‘Jogander Nath Mandal and the other scheduled caste Hindus had also requested the Boundary Commission to include them among the Muslims during the division of Punjab’.