Cambridge O-Level sociology book banned over LGBTQ+ content

In response to Cambridge textbooks' alleged LGBTQ+ content and misrepresentation of Pakistan's map, the Federal Education Ministry has prohibited specific textbooks.

In Islamabad, the country's federal capital, the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) has vetoed the printing, publishing, distribution, and teaching of Sociology and The History and Culture of Pakistan.

Educational institutions are also required to submit a report on implementation by May 10th.

There are two banned textbooks, Sociology by Jonathan Blundell of Cambridge University Press and The History and Culture of Pakistan by Nigel Kelly of Peck Publishing Limited/Danish Publishing Private Limited.

According to Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, the Federal Secretary of Education and Vocational Training, these books do not have a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Curriculum Wing, and their content goes against Pakistani cultural values.

It has been reported that some material regarding same-sex marriage has been included in a sociology book, which would be contrary to Pakistani social and cultural traditions.

In the second book, he said, the political history of Pakistan is misrepresented, as is the map of Pakistan.

“Above all, these books did not get NOC from the National Curriculum Council based on which the ban has been imposed,” he explained.

According to PEIRA, the printing, publishing, sharing and distribution of these books will be forbidden, and legal action will be taken against those in breach of the rules, under Section Four A.

All private educational institutions in the federal capital have been notified by PEIRA.