In the years around 2010, Helmand province in southern Afghanistan was consistently the largest opium-producing region in the country, accounting for a significant portion of Afghanistan's and the world's illicit opium production [2, p18]. Factors contributing to this included insecurity, lack of alternative livelihoods, and favorable cultivation conditions.

General Stanley McChrystal served as the Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and also as the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan [2, p17]. He held these key positions from June 2009 until his resignation in June 2010.

As of 2010, China was the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) [2, p17]. This was primarily due to its rapid industrialization, significant manufacturing sector, and heavy reliance on coal as an energy source. The increase in CO2 emissions from China had surpassed other major emitters like the United States in the years leading up to 2010.

The 2010 Hajj corruption scandal involved allegations of widespread corruption and mismanagement in the arrangements made for Pakistani pilgrims performing Hajj. The scandal implicated several high-profile figures, including Hamid Saeed Kazmi, who was the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs at the time, and Azam Swati, then Minister for Science and Technology, who raised concerns about the alleged corruption2.

A Turkish energy company, Karadeniz Holding (through its subsidiary Karkey), brought a ship-mounted power plant to Karachi in November 2010 to supply electricity to Pakistan2. These were part of rental power projects (RPPs).

Richard Holbrooke was appointed as the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in January 2009 and served in this capacity until his death in December 20102. For an exam in early 2011, he would be the most recent prominent figure in that role. Marc Grossman was appointed to the position in February 2011.

In March 2010, PPP Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani signed the initial agreement granting China a 40-year lease on Gwadar port.

The 7th National Finance Commission Award was signed on 30 December 2009 and came into effect on 1 July 2010, marking its formal commencement in 2010. [3](https://pakmcqs.com/past-papers/css-past-papers-mcqs/css-current-affairs-past-paper-mcqs/css-2025-current-affairs-past-paper-mcqs/7th-nfc-award-was-signed-in)

The 18th Amendment, which enhanced provincial autonomy and restored parliamentary democracy, was passed on 8 April 2010.

In 2010, President Asif Ali Zardari approved transferring Gwadar Port operations from Singapore’s PSA to China’s state-owned company.