Malala Once Again In The News, Causing Crackdowns In Punjab

Malala seems to be in the middle of a controversy once again and this time it’s causing crackdowns on book stores throughout Punjab.

It was reported on Monday that a grade 7 social studies book was being confiscated by the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) for including Malala’s image beside that of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed in the list of important personalities in Pakistan. The list includes Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, etc. Moreover, it is allegedly being reported that the book’s publisher, OUP, published the book without being issued the NOC and that is another reason for the crackdown.

Those Who Think This Is Ludicrous

Many on Twitter are questioning the obsession with Malala. Whenever there’s anything about her in the media it causes a lot of public scrutiny and backlash in Pakistan. However, this time many Pakistanis are questioning the treatment of our Nobel laureate and are wondering out loud the need for the seizure of the grade 7 textbook.

Is this 4 real? After schizophrenic Pakistan messed up our nobel laureate #DrAbdusSalaam …now we are onto this insanity-WHO DECIDES this is how Punjab govt behaves re Pak nobel laureate #Malala ‘s picture ? PM ⁦@ImranKhanPTI⁩ ⁦@fawadchaudhry⁩ https://t.co/Kx4Gq91ory

— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) July 13, 2021

Absolutely horrendous. PCTB seizes grade 7 Social Studies book for merely printing Malala’s picture in the list of important personalities. @PTIofficial, should the publisher replace Malala with Musharaf, Tariq Jamil or Malik Riaz? pic.twitter.com/bJ9WoQbeEk

— Bilal Zahoor (@BilalZahuur) July 13, 2021

Parents Who Believe Malala Is A Good Role-model

Then there are parents who believe that Malala is a great role model for their kids because of her philanthropic efforts and her key role in furthering education in the remote parts of Pakistan through the Malala Fund.

I no longer have the ability to be surprised or outraged. I wonder what new lows will we hit. I have a 9 year old who knows about Malala and Greta Thurnberg, these are good role models to aspire towards, both are raising their voice on real issues. https://t.co/GbKO4xRT9s

— Roshaneh Zafar (@RoshanehZafar) July 13, 2021

Others Who Are Outraged To See Her Portrayed As A National Hero

However, some still believe she’s a co-conspirator for the West in furthering their “anti-Pakistan” agenda. They are furious to see her included in the list of National heroes and are applauding the efforts of the PCTB in seizing the copies.

Grade 7 book seized in Punjab for printing Malala's picture with national heroes.

Question is why she was there with the national heroes in the first place?

Who will seize that intrusive campaign that is hell-bent to penetrate her as some goddess in our young brains? pic.twitter.com/g5tAOSPN6E

— Sadia 失恋 💬 (@sadia_______) July 13, 2021

Let’s Wait For The Official Clarification

Since it’s still early to believe in hearsay, as no official statement has been made by the PCTB, it is best to wait.

No one is willing to go on record to say this book is seized due to Malala’s incision. The only verifiable fact is it doesn’t have an NOC. OUP is a business, like other book publishers – maybe we can hold the 1984 comparisons until we know a little more. https://t.co/3QeeB9Vobf

— People’s Commissar (@faisal_parla) July 13, 2021

Have your say and tell us what you think? Should we not get a chance to know what’s inside the text book before we cancel, or accept it as part of the curriculum?

Malala Leaves Everyone In Awe With 10 Startling Vogue Revelations