Stating this, Pakistan Education Minister Asharaf Qazi pointed out that “jihad has many dimensions which also includes self-negation. We will teach students the full concept of jihad’’. Qazi, a former director-general of the ISI, said the new curricula will be implemented in junior classes from the start of the academic year in 2007 and will be introduced in all classes up to XII by 2009.

The draft curricula has been sent to the provinces for recommendations and will be finalised after their proposals are considered, he said.

Pakistan has begun conducting a review of the curriculum of various subjects as part of the reform process undertaken in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks. Qazi said the revised Islamiyat curriculum has been divided into five topics which include Quranic teachings, Haqooq Allah, rights of God, life of Prophet Muhammad, etiquette and prominent personalities of Islam.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has already rejected a suggestion from moderate Islamic scholars that religious studies should be introduced only after Class V.

While the lower classes would have several aspects of Islam in the curriculum, Qazi said students in Classes XI and XII would be taught the 39 selected chapters that contained an introduction to jihad, its importance and forms in the light of the scriptures.

Qazi said Nazara Quran would start in Class III, leading up to completion of the Holy Quran by the end of Class VIII. The students would also memorise 19 small suras by the end of the same academic level as well as simple translation of 27 Quranic supplications recited during prayers. The students of Classes IX and would be taught 20 selected chapters with translation and interpretation,

Also compulsory for classes IX and X would be Pakistan Studies, which contain the much criticised version of regional history. Education reformers have criticised the composition of Pakistan Studies which contain distorted claims, including on its wars with India as well as on the official version of the independence movement and the formation of the country. Pakistan Studies also contains a chapter on Pakistan’s stand on the kashmir issue.