Lahore: The government of Pakistan's Punjab province has banned a science book for Grade VI students of a chain of elite schools for containing material that could provoke ‘sexual desire’.
The text book used by the Lahore Grammar School was banned after authorities received complaints from parents.
"We have banned the book after receiving complaints from parents," provincial Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad told the media.
The science book had material that could provoke ‘sexual desire’, which could not be tolerated, he said.
"We will not allow anyone to teach our children with material which is against our social values and religious beliefs," Ahmad said.
An inquiry was underway to ascertain why "objectionable" contents were included in the science book, he said.
The Punjab government also took cognisance of the same school's decision to replace Islamic Studies, a compulsory subject, with Religious Studies in Grade-VI.
"The new subject contains material which may mislead and confuse the minds of children," Ahmad said. "Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan is quite clear about the provision that no Pakistani citizen should be taught a religion other than his own religion - Islam," Ahmad said.