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
1
Who is the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan as of late 2025?
Answer:
General Asim Munir
General Asim Munir assumed the office of COAS in November 2022, succeeding General Bajwa. His tenure has been marked by a strong emphasis on economic revival through the SIFC and maintaining institutional integrity after the May 9 events.
2
The 'Establishment' in Pakistani political terminology typically refers to:
Answer:
The military leadership and its intelligence components (ISI, etc.)
The term 'Establishment' is a euphemism for the powerful military-intelligence complex that is widely believed to exercise ultimate control over the country's strategic direction, political engineering, and institutional balance.
3
The events of 'May 9, 2023' marked a significant shift in civil-military relations because:
Answer:
Protesters associated with a political party attacked military installations for the first time in such scale
Following the arrest of Imran Khan, widespread protests targeted military sites, including the GHQ and the Corps Commander's house in Lahore. This led to a massive state crackdown, the trial of civilians in military courts, and a total breakdown of the previous PTI-establishment relationship.
4
Which prime minister was famously referred to as the 'selected' Prime Minister by the opposition, implying establishment support?
Answer:
Imran Khan
During his tenure (2018–2022), Imran Khan was frequently targeted with the 'selected' label by the PDM opposition, who alleged that the 2018 elections were engineered by the military to bring him to power, marking a period of intense 'One Page' civil-military alignment.
5
The 'Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad' (2017) was unique because it focused on:
Answer:
Intelligence-based operations across the entire country, including urban areas
Unlike previous operations confined to the tribal areas, Radd-ul-Fasaad targeted 'latent' threats and sleeper cells throughout the country. It signified the military's expanded role in domestic surveillance and internal security policing.
6
In 2024, the '26th Amendment' was discussed as a way to potentially change the tenure or appointment process of the Chief Justice. How does this affect civil-military relations?
Answer:
It re-balances the 'Judiciary-Military-Executive' triangle by giving the Parliament a say in judicial appointments
By involving a parliamentary committee in the selection of the Chief Justice (replacing the seniority rule), the 26th Amendment shifted power from the 'judicial brotherhood' to the legislature. Analysts see this as a way for the 'hybrid' setup to ensure a more predictable and less activist judiciary.
7
The 'Agreed formula' for the appointment of the Army Chief was briefly challenged in 1998 when which COAS resigned following a public disagreement with the PM?
Answer:
General Jehangir Karamat
General Jehangir Karamat resigned in October 1998 after he publicly suggested the creation of a 'National Security Council' to institutionalize the military's role. PM Nawaz Sharif accepted the resignation, but this assertion of civilian authority was later overshadowed by the 1999 coup.
8
Which of the following describes the 'Doctrine of Functional Justification' used by the military in modern governance?
Answer:
The military's involvement in non-security areas (like economy or sports) is justified by its superior efficiency compared to civilian institutions
This doctrine argues that because the military is the most organized and disciplined institution in the country, its participation in 'nation-building' activities (running businesses, managing dams, or driving investment) is necessary for the state's survival.
9
The 'National Action Plan' (NAP) of 2014 was a 20-point strategy to combat:
Answer:
Terrorism and Extremism
NAP was a coordinated state response to the APS attack. It involved military operations, the setting up of military courts, and civilian measures like blocking terrorist funding and regulating madrassas, representing a peak in civil-military policy alignment.
10
Which institution has the final authority to determine the 'Defense Budget' of Pakistan?
Answer:
The Military High Command (de facto) and Parliament (de jure)
Technically, the Parliament approves the budget. However, in practice, the defense allocation is negotiated directly between the military leadership and the top civilian executive. Scrutiny of individual heads of military expenditure in the National Assembly remains rare.