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
31
Which province launched the 'Sehat Card Plus' to provide 'Universal Health Coverage' to every single resident, regardless of income?
Answer:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) became the first province in Pakistan to implement universal health insurance for its entire population. Under the Sehat Card Plus scheme, every family with a KP domicile is entitled to free indoor healthcare services, making it a model for other provinces to follow.
32
The 'Ehsaas Emergency Cash' program was globally recognized for its role during:
Answer:
The COVID-19 Pandemic
During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, Pakistan launched the Ehsaas Emergency Cash program, which provided one-time payments of PKR 12,000 to over 15 million families. The program was praised by the World Bank for its transparency, digital payment system, and rapid response in preventing a massive humanitarian crisis during the pandemic.
33
Which organization manages the 'Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution' (EOBI) for private-sector workers?
Answer:
Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development
EOBI is the national pension fund for private sector employees. It collects contributions from both employers and employees to provide monthly pensions, old-age grants, and survivor pensions to workers after they retire or in the event of their death, serving as a critical safety net for the formal labor force.
34
What is the function of the 'BISP Saving Scheme' (Benazir Bachat Scheme) launched recently?
Answer:
To encourage the habit of saving by providing an additional 40% contribution from the government
In 2023-2024, BISP introduced a savings scheme where beneficiaries who save a certain portion of their stipend in a designated bank account receive an additional 40% incentive from the government. This aims to promote financial literacy and provide a buffer for families during economic shocks.
35
The 'Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship' program is targeted towards:
Answer:
Students from low-income families enrolled in public sector universities
This is the largest-ever needs-based undergraduate scholarship program in Pakistan. It provides full tuition fees and a monthly living stipend to meritorious students from BISP-eligible families, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent bright students from completing their higher education.
36
Which program provides high-quality technical training and 'international certifications' to Pakistani youth for free?
Answer:
NAVTTC 'Skill for All' (Hunarmand Pakistan)
The 'Skill for All' program, executed by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), is a major human capital development initiative. It offers training in high-tech fields like AI, Cloud Computing, and Robotics, as well as traditional trades, to make the Pakistani workforce competitive in the global market.
37
The 'Khidmat Card' initiative in Punjab primarily provided financial and social support to:
Answer:
Persons with disabilities and brick kiln workers' children
The Khidmat Card was a successful provincial program designed to provide dignity and financial aid to marginalized groups. It specifically targeted PWDs and provided conditional stipends to families of brick kiln workers to ensure their children were enrolled in schools rather than working in the kilns.
38
What is the primary role of 'Zakat and Ushr' councils at the local and provincial levels?
Answer:
Distributing funds to 'Mustahiq' (deserving) individuals for subsistence and healthcare
Zakat is a mandatory religious tax collected from wealthy Muslims, which the government manages through the Zakat and Ushr Department. These funds are distributed to the poor, orphans, and widows through local Zakat committees, providing 'Guzara Allowance' and funding for educational scholarships and medical expenses.
39
Which welfare initiative was specifically launched to provide free meals to daily-wage earners through mobile food trucks?
Answer:
Ehsaas 'Koi Bhooka Na Soye' (No One Should Sleep Hungry)
The 'Koi Bhooka Na Soye' program utilized specially designed food trucks to distribute freshly cooked meals to laborers and homeless individuals in major cities. This was part of the 'Riyasat-e-Madina' welfare model, ensuring that those who cannot afford or reach stationary shelter homes are provided with basic nutrition.
40
Which federal division is responsible for the overall policy formulation and coordination of social safety programs in Pakistan?
Answer:
Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD)
PASSD was created in 2019 to bring all major social protection institutions—like BISP, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and the Trust for Voluntary Organizations—under one umbrella. This ensures better coordination, avoids duplication of efforts, and facilitates the implementation of a unified national social protection strategy.