Fact-check: Has a new chapter on Maryam Nawaz been added to 10th-grade textbook?

Social media posts have claimed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has added a new chapter about herself in the 10th-grade Pakistan Studies textbook. 

These claims have sparked criticism on social media, with users questioning the legitimacy of this move and accusing her of self-promotion.

The claim is misleading and lacks important context.

Claim

In a YouTube video posted on January 17, journalist Junaid Saleem alleged that Maryam had added a new chapter to the 10th-grade Pakistan Studies textbook about herself. 

He further suggested that the inclusion of this chapter would require a reprint of the textbooks, burdening students. He criticised the move, questioning whether it was done solely to feature her picture and name.

The video has accumulated over 33,000 views.

Some social media users also shared an image of the alleged textbook chapter featuring Maryam.

Fact

No new chapter has been added to the 10th-grade Pakistan Studies textbook. A chapter on the role of women in Pakistan already exists, and Maryam's name and that of other prominent women have been added to it to highlight their contributions.

Punjab School Education Department spokesperson Noorul Huda confirmed to Geo Fact Check that no new chapter has been introduced. 

"There was already a chapter on the role of women in the country, which includes figures like Nusrat Bhutto," Huda explained. "The names of Maryam Nawaz and Kulsoom Nawaz have been added due to their significant roles in Pakistani politics."

Noorul also mentioned that the updated edition of the textbook, which includes the names and photos of Maryam and Kulsoom Nawaz, Nusrat Bhutto, and others, is currently being printed and will be introduced in the upcoming academic year, beginning in March.

She shared a PDF of the new chapter titled "Women’s Empowerment," which includes a section on "Women’s Contribution to National Development from 1947 to the present." 

This section features several prominent female figures, including Benazir Bhutto, Fatima Jinnah, Nusrat Bhutto, Maryam Nawaz, Kulsoom Nawaz, and Fahmida Mirza.

Geo Fact Check also reviewed the current 10th-grade Pakistan Studies textbook being taught in schools. It found no specific chapter on women’s roles, but it did locate a chapter on empowering women in the 9th-grade textbook. 

This existing chapter profiles six women: Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Arfa Kareem, Shamshad Akhtar, Bilquis Edhi, and Samina Baig.

The updated version of this chapter, set to be introduced in March 2025, will include profiles of six additional figures: Maryam Nawaz, Nusrat Bhutto, Kulsoom Nawaz, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, Dr Fahmida Mirza, and Lieutenant General Nigar Johar.

Other prominent names in the chapter are philanthropist and humanitarian Bilquis Edhi, State Bank of Pakistan former governor Shamshad Akhtar, renowned mountain climber Samina Baig and the youngest Microsoft professional Arfa Karim.

The Punjab School Education Department also confirmed that the syllabus for both 9th and 10th grades will be merged into a single Pakistan Studies textbook, which will now be taught in the 10th grade.

Director of manuscripts at the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Farida Sadiq confirmed that the chapter in question is not new. 

"Textbooks are updated over time to include new information, and it’s not just about Maryam Nawaz and Kulsoom Nawaz. Other notable women have also been added," she explained.

Verdict: Social media posts claiming that a new chapter has been added solely to highlight Maryam and her late mother are misleading. The updates to the textbook are part of an existing chapter on the role of women, which now includes additional prominent figures.

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