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
41
The historic 7th NFC Award (2010) was unique because it introduced multiple criteria for horizontal distribution. Which of these was NOT a criterion?
Answer:
Literacy Rate
Before 2010, the horizontal distribution was based solely on population. The 7th NFC Award added three new criteria: Poverty/Backwardness (10.3%), Revenue Collection/Generation (5%), and Inverse Population Density (2.7%). Literacy rate is not used as a criterion for resource distribution.
42
What is the primary function of the National Finance Commission (NFC)?
Answer:
To distribute tax revenues between the Federation and Provinces
The NFC is a constitutional body (Article 160) responsible for recommending the distribution of resources from the 'Divisible Pool' of taxes between the federal government and the four provinces (vertical distribution) and among the provinces themselves (horizontal distribution).
43
Which of the following subjects was devolved to the provinces following the 18th Amendment?
Answer:
Health and Education
With the abolition of the Concurrent List, sectors such as Health, Education, Environment, and Labor were fully devolved to the provinces. This shifted the responsibility for service delivery and policy-making in these areas from the federal to the provincial level.
44
After the 18th Amendment, which body became the primary forum for resolving disputes between the Federation and Provinces?
Answer:
The Council of Common Interests (CCI)
The 18th Amendment revitalized the Council of Common Interests (CCI). It mandated that the CCI meet at least once every 90 days and gave it authority over subjects in the Federal Legislative List Part II, making it a critical hub for inter-provincial and federal-provincial coordination.
45
The 18th Constitutional Amendment (2010) is most famous for doing what to the legislative lists?
Answer:
Abolishing the Concurrent Legislative List
The 18th Amendment abolished the Concurrent Legislative List, which contained 47 subjects. By removing this list, the provinces gained exclusive legislative and executive authority over those subjects, including health, education, and labor, significantly enhancing provincial autonomy.
46
In the original 1973 Constitution, where were the 'Residual Powers' (subjects not mentioned in any list) vested?
Answer:
In the Provincial Assemblies
The 1973 Constitution followed the principle of federalism where specific powers were granted to the center, and all remaining (residual) powers were granted to the provinces. This was intended to ensure a degree of provincial autonomy from the outset.
47
Which constitution in Pakistan's history notably eliminated the Concurrent List, leaving only a Federal List?
Answer:
1962 Constitution
The 1962 Constitution, promulgated by Ayub Khan, was highly centralized. It only specified a Federal List of 49 items. Matters not in that list were considered provincial, but the central government maintained significant control through the presidential system and the appointment of governors.
48
Under the 1956 Constitution, how many legislative lists were defined for the distribution of powers?
Answer:
Three (Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent)
The 1956 Constitution provided for a three-list system: the Federal List (30 items), the Provincial List (94 items), and the Concurrent List (19 items). Residual powers, those not mentioned in any list, were vested in the provincial governments.
49
The 'One Unit' scheme, implemented in 1955, aimed to achieve parity between which two entities?
Answer:
East Pakistan and West Pakistan
The One Unit scheme merged the four provinces of West Pakistan into a single province. This was done to create political and administrative parity between the more populous East Pakistan (East Bengal) and the diverse provinces of West Pakistan, effectively creating a two-unit federation.
50
Which constitutional document served as the interim constitution of Pakistan from 1947 to 1956?
Answer:
Government of India Act 1935
Upon independence in 1947, Pakistan adopted the Government of India Act 1935 (as amended by the Indian Independence Act 1947) as its interim constitution. This framework was highly centralized, reflecting British colonial administrative needs rather than a fully devolved federal structure.