ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: Federal Minister for Education Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi on Thursday reiterated his resolve not to succumb to the pressure of the religio-political parties on the setting up of a private examination board.

"Without knowing the objectives behind the establishment of the Aga Khan Examination Board (AKEB), some religious parties have embarked upon a protest campaign against the education ministry, which is totally unfounded," he said.

The minister was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of a national conference on "Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah: His thoughts and contributions" at a local hotel.

The two-day conference has been organized by the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU). "Every now and then through electronic and print media, I am explaining the aims behind setting up of the examination board. However, the religious parties are relentlessly criticising the government for the initiative," Gen Qazi said.

The government through an ordinance has set up the AKEB in the private sector which on the lines of the British Council will conduct A and O level examinations. Political parties led by the Jamaat-i-Islami are accusing the government of westernising the country's education system.

"I want to make it clear in so many words to everybody protesting out there against the AKEB that this time the government will not buckle under the pressure," Gen Qazi declared.

Referring to his recent participation in a Unesco conference in Brazil, the minister said Pakistan stood nowhere among the commity of nations as far as the standard of education was concerned.

India is catching up with the developed world, Bangladesh falls in the categories of ambitious countries in reforming education. But, unfortunately, Pakistan is placed third from the bottom even among the under-developed countries. This is what we have done with our education system, he added.

"These are the people who during the Independence Movement declared Quaid-i-Azam an infidel and opposed the very idea of Pakistan and now call themselves the custodian of Islam and caretaker of the country, he said.

Quoting the famous August 11, 1947, speech of the Quaid, the minister said in the post 9/11 scenario this was the right time to let the younger generation know the ideas and contributions of the Quaid.

"He always talked about a progressive and liberal Islamic society and never wanted Pakistan to be a theocratic state. However, against the whims and wishes of a silent majority, they want to dictate their terms," the minister added. If these elements are not checked, very soon the country will have a Taliban-like regime and will be surely destined for the same fate.

Just because of the unscrupulous and irrational behaviour of the so-called religious leaders, educational institutions have been closed in the Northern Areas for the last five months, he added. Brig Noor Hassan, a former ADC to the Quaid-i-Azam, said the Quaid never wanted a theocratic state and always promoted a liberal Islamic society.

"After the passage of Pakistan Resolution, Quaid-i-Azam repeatedly said Pakistan would not be a theocratic state as propagated by the British and Hindu media," he said. Dr Riaz Ahmad, Director of the centre, and QAU Vice Chancellor Dr UAG Isani also spoke.