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
21
Who was the 'National Security Advisor' (NSA) during the early part of the PPP government who resigned over the Memo-gate issue?
Answer:
Mahmud Ali Durrani
Mahmud Ali Durrani served as the NSA. He was famously dismissed by PM Gillani in 2009 for making a statement confirming the Pakistani nationality of Ajmal Kasab (the Mumbai attacker) without consulting the government.
22
The 'Rental Power Plants' (RPP) case, which involved allegations of corruption in energy projects, targeted which PPP leader?
Answer:
Raja Pervez Ashraf
Raja Pervez Ashraf, as the Minister for Water and Power, was accused of receiving kickbacks in the Rental Power Plants projects. This case led to the nickname 'Raja Rental' being used by his political opponents.
23
Which religious organization's siege in 2007 led to a surge in militancy that the PPP government had to deal with in 2008?
Answer:
Lal Masjid
The 2007 Lal Masjid operation during Musharraf's time triggered the formation of the TTP and a wave of retaliatory attacks. Upon taking office in 2008, the PPP government faced the brunt of this internal security crisis.
24
Which sector was devolved to the provinces under the 18th Amendment in 2010?
Answer:
Health and Education
The 18th Amendment abolished the 'Concurrent List,' transferring 47 subjects, including health and education, entirely to the provinces. This shift was intended to bring governance closer to the people but required significant capacity building within the provincial governments.
25
The Raymond Davis incident (January 2011) involved the killing of two Pakistanis in Lahore by:
Answer:
A CIA contractor
Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor, shot and killed two men in Lahore, claiming self-defense. The incident caused a major diplomatic crisis. He was eventually released after the families of the deceased were paid 'Diyat' (blood money) under the Shariat law.
26
Which Pakistani scientist and former head of the nuclear program was released from house arrest in 2009 by the PPP government?
Answer:
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Dr. A.Q. Khan, who had been under house arrest since 2004 during the Musharraf era, was declared a 'free citizen' by the Islamabad High Court in February 2009, although certain security restrictions remained in place.
27
The 2010 floods in Pakistan, which occurred during the PPP regime, were described as the worst in the country's history. Approximately how many people were affected?
Answer:
20 Million
The 2010 floods were a massive humanitarian disaster, affecting approximately 20 million people (one-tenth of the population). The government faced significant challenges in relief and reconstruction efforts, which were supported by the military and international aid.
28
Who was the first chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)?
Answer:
Farzana Raja
Farzana Raja served as the founding chairperson of BISP. She played a key role in the initial design and implementation of the program's data collection and cash disbursement systems.
29
In 2013, the PPP government handed over the operational control of Gwadar Port to which country's company?
Answer:
China
In February 2013, the operational control of Gwadar Port was transferred from Singapore's PSA to the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC). This move was a foundational step toward the formalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
30
The 'Charter of Democracy' (CoD), which guided PPP-PMLN relations in the early 2000s, was signed in 2006 by Benazir Bhutto and:
Answer:
Nawaz Sharif
The CoD was signed in London in 2006 by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. It served as a roadmap for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and the removal of military influence from politics, which largely influenced the 2008 political landscape.