The State Bank of Pakistan warned of potential inflationary price spirals, and the Supreme Court declared retrospective tax penalties unlawful. The World Bank expressed concern specifically over the diversion of funds from the Balochistan housing program, not the federal policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022040/sbp-warns-of-price-spirals]
1422
Which Article of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the freedom of speech and expression?
Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan provides for the freedom of speech, expression, and the press, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security, or defense of Pakistan.
Consider the following statements regarding the global oil market situation in March 2026:
1. Crude benchmarks had surged to their highest levels since 2022 prior to the price plunge.
2. The US administration expressed concerns that high energy prices could negatively impact consumer sentiment before midterm elections.
3. Market analysts suggested that the initial price surge was an overreaction to the upside, while the subsequent plunge was an overreaction to the downside.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
All three statements are factually accurate based on the market conditions and expert commentary provided in the report. The surge to 2022 levels, the political sensitivity of energy prices, and the assessment of market overreaction are all verified components of the event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980727/oil-plunges-15pc-amid-hopes-of-de-escalation, 11 Mar 2026]
1424
Consider the following statements about Kylian Mbappe's World Cup career:
1. He scored four goals in the 2018 World Cup.
2. He scored eight goals in the 2022 World Cup.
3. He has participated in three World Cup campaigns as of 2026.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
All three statements are factually accurate. Mbappe scored 4 goals in 2018, 8 goals in 2022, and the 2026 tournament marked his third World Cup campaign. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016719/frances-mbappe-becomes-world-cups-all-time-top-scorer, 19 Jul 2026]
1425
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) functions under the administrative control of which division?
The Federal Board of Revenue operates under the Revenue Division, which is a part of the Ministry of Finance. It is the primary agency responsible for the collection of federal taxes in Pakistan.
The statement that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has never claimed responsibility for attacks is false, as the BLA has previously claimed responsibility for attacks, such as the 2022 suicide bombing at the University of Karachi's Confucius Institute. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016208/security-of-chinese-in-pakistan-paramount-for-us-says-pm-shehbaz, 17 Jul 2026]
1427
Which of the following trade governance instruments is designed to provide preferential market access to developing nations without requiring reciprocal concessions?
The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a formal trade arrangement that allows developed countries to lower tariffs on imports from developing countries, promoting economic development without the requirement of reciprocity.
Contractionary monetary policy involves raising interest rates or reducing the money supply to cool down an overheating economy and stabilize price levels by dampening aggregate demand.
Under constitutional mechanisms, which principle ensures that the executive branch remains accountable to the legislature regarding fiscal policy and budgetary allocations?
Parliamentary oversight, specifically through the power of the purse, is a fundamental constitutional mechanism that requires the executive to seek legislative approval for taxation and expenditure, ensuring democratic accountability.
The 18th Amendment introduced Article 175A, which shifted the power of judicial appointments from the executive to a multi-member Judicial Commission, marking a significant change in constitutional mechanisms.
