The education ministry has decided to replace “Sharifa’s story” ­– a story suspected to be about a transsexual individual – from the social science textbook of class seven with a new story.

The ministry has already sent a letter to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) in this regard, but the amendment would be done for next year’s textbook as the ongoing school year has crossed the halfway mark.

The education ministry has asked NCTB to consult with gender specialists for determining the narrative of the new story.

Controversy arose when people from different corners claimed that the character of Sharifa represents transsexuals and not third gender people. Trans-sexuality is considered a heresy in Islam and many other religions.