Pakistan Studies/Affairs MCQs
Topic Notes: Pakistan Studies/Affairs
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
11
Under the current system, who collects 'Agriculture Income Tax'?
Answer:
The Provincial Governments
Tax on agricultural income is a provincial subject. While the federal government collects tax on almost all other types of income, the Constitution explicitly leaves agricultural income tax to the provincial domain.
12
The 1962 Constitution was often described as 'Federal in form but Unitary in spirit'. Why?
Answer:
Because the President could override provincial laws and appoint Governors
While it maintained provinces, the 1962 system concentrated nearly all power in the President. The President appointed provincial governors who were responsible to him, not the province, and the central legislature could legislate on provincial matters under the guise of 'national interest'.
13
Which subject was shifted from the Federal List Part I to Part II during the 18th Amendment to increase provincial oversight?
Answer:
Census
The subject of 'Census' was moved to Part II of the Federal Legislative List. This means the Council of Common Interests (where all provinces are represented) now has the authority to supervise and oversee the census process, ensuring transparency and provincial trust.
14
What is the primary reason the 8th and 9th NFC Awards have remained inconclusive?
Answer:
Disagreement between provinces and the center on the vertical share
The center has frequently sought to reduce the provincial vertical share (57.5%) to cover security and debt costs, while provinces refuse to accept any share lower than the 7th NFC award (guaranteed by Article 160(3A)). This deadlock has led to the 7th NFC being extended repeatedly.
15
Which political party was the main proponent of the 18th Amendment and provincial autonomy during the 2008-2013 period?
Answer:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)
The PPP-led government, under the chairmanship of Asif Ali Zardari and the parliamentary committee led by Raza Rabbani, spearheaded the 18th Amendment to fulfill the promises of the Charter of Democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
16
Which article of the 1973 Constitution empowers the Parliament to create new provinces?
Answer:
Article 239
Creating a new province requires a constitutional amendment under Article 239. This requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament and, crucially, the approval of the Provincial Assembly of the province being divided by a two-thirds majority.
17
The 'Divisible Pool' of the NFC excludes which of the following?
Answer:
Collection Charges (1%)
The Federal Government deducts 1% as collection charges before the divisible pool is shared. The remaining net proceeds are then divided between the Federation and the Provinces. The 7th NFC reduced these collection charges from 5% to 1% to benefit the provinces.
18
In Pakistan's federal system, who has the power to appoint the Provincial Governor?
Answer:
The President on the advice of the Prime Minister
The Governor is the representative of the Federation in the province. According to Article 101, the Governor is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Post-18th Amendment, the Governor must be a registered voter and resident of the province they represent.
19
What is the weightage of the 'Inverse Population Density' (IPD) criterion in the 7th NFC Award?
Answer:
2.7%
Inverse Population Density was introduced to help provinces like Balochistan, which have a very large land area but a small population, making service delivery more expensive per capita. It is allocated 2.7% of the horizontal distribution share.
20
Which year did Pakistan transition to its first 'Bicameral' legislature?
Answer:
1973
Both the 1956 and 1962 constitutions provided for a unicameral legislature (a single house). It was the 1973 Constitution that introduced the Senate, creating a bicameral system to provide better representation for smaller provinces.