Pakistan was granted observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 1. This allowed Pakistan to participate in SCO activities and discussions. Pakistan later became a full member of the SCO in 2017.

"AFPAK" (or Af-Pak) was a term used within U.S. foreign policy circles starting in 2009 to refer to Afghanistan and Pakistan as a single, integrated theater of operations2. This approach was part of a new strategy announced by the Obama administration.

Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017.

Before the UK’s withdrawal in 2020, the European Union comprised 28 member states.[5](https://www.jworldtimes.com/old-site/css-exclusive/css-special/css-2017-solved-papers-current-affairs-mcqs/)

The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, links the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, serving as a vital maritime route.[5](https://www.jworldtimes.com/old-site/css-exclusive/css-special/css-2017-solved-papers-current-affairs-mcqs/)

Russia possesses the largest proven natural gas reserves globally, with over 47 trillion cubic meters.[5](https://www.jworldtimes.com/old-site/css-exclusive/css-special/css-2017-solved-papers-current-affairs-mcqs/)

Chronic economic stagnation and systemic fiscal crises in the 1980s critically undermined the Soviet Union’s stability and cohesion.[5](https://www.jworldtimes.com/old-site/css-exclusive/css-special/css-2017-solved-papers-current-affairs-mcqs/)

China leads global cotton production, contributing over 25% of the world’s cotton output.[5](https://www.jworldtimes.com/old-site/css-exclusive/css-special/css-2017-solved-papers-current-affairs-mcqs/)

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 alongside Menachem Begin for their efforts in the Camp David Accords.[5](https://www.jworldtimes.com/old-site/css-exclusive/css-special/css-2017-solved-papers-current-affairs-mcqs/)

Pakistan conducted its most recent national population census in March 2017 to update demographic data for planning and development.