Islamabad: After 60 years of dogged defence of the Two-Nation Theory that described separate nations for Hindus and Muslims and cleaved the subcontinent, Pakistan is all set to officially redefine the doctrine, stating that it was 'Muslim deprivation not religion' that led to partition.

In tune with the 'enlightened moderation' philosophy being advocated by President Pervez Musharraf, drastic changes are being made in school textbooks, including new chapters with 'less biased explanations' of the Two-Nation Theory and partition, an Education Ministry official said.

"The new national curriculum for Pakistan studies for grades IX and X explains the Two-Nation Theory and Pakistan's ideology with specific reference to economic and social deprivation of Muslims in India," the Daily Times quoted the official as saying.

Hailed by moderates as a significant move in the battle against Islamic extremists who radicalised the religious ideology, marginalising the minorities and virtually pushing them to extinction, the new curriculum would "exclude all such material that promotes prejudice against non-Muslims of pre-partition India".

"Pakistan's ideology has been explained with reference to the pronouncements of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam," the official said.

The new textbooks will cover the topics on ideological basis of Pakistan, its creation, land and environment, brief history, the country's role in world affairs, economic development, population, society and culture.

The final draft of the new curriculum has been finalised and it is being sent to the provinces and would be implemented from 2007 academic year, the official said.