#1241

In 2024, which foreign journalist was honored for 'promoting Pakistan's soft image' and tourism?

(a) Cynthia Ritchie

(b) Various travel vloggers/journalists (Collective recognition)

(c) Christiane Amanpour

(d) Jeremy Paxman

Explanation: In recent years, the government has used civil awards (like the Tamgha-e-Pakistan) to honor international vloggers and journalists who have highlighted Pakistan's tourism potential and cultural heritage, as part of its 'Soft Power' diplomacy.

#1242

Which religious leader and scholar received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 2024-2025 for his services to interfaith harmony and education?

(a) Maulana Tariq Jamil

(b) Mufti Taqi Usmani

(c) Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri

(d) Allama Sajid Naqvi

Explanation: Mufti Taqi Usmani, a world-renowned scholar and expert in Islamic finance, has been honored with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. This recognizes his academic brilliance and his role in promoting Pakistan's image in the global Muslim community through his writings and educational work.

#1243

Which Pakistani writer and poet received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024 for his contribution to Urdu literature?

(a) Anwar Maqsood

(b) Iftikhar Arif

(c) Amjad Islam Amjad (Posthumous)

(d) Kishwar Naheed

Explanation: Iftikhar Arif, a legendary poet and scholar, was honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024. He has served as the head of the Pakistan Academy of Letters and the National Language Authority, making immense contributions to the preservation of Urdu literature.

#1244

Which award was given to the team of engineers who successfully launched Pakistan's first moon mission 'iCube-Qamar' in 2024?

(a) Collective Pride of Performance / Sitara-e-Imtiaz

(b) Nishan-e-Pakistan

(c) Order of Shujaat

(d) Order of Khidmat

Explanation: The engineers from the Institute of Space Technology (IST) and SUPARCO were recognized in the 2024-2025 honors list. The success of the lunar orbiter was hailed as a major scientific milestone, earning the leads of the project high-level civilian decorations.

#1245

Which Pakistani singer received the Pride of Performance in 2024 for promoting 'Sufi' music globally?

(a) Atif Aslam

(b) Sanam Marvi

(c) Ali Zafar

(d) Hadiqa Kiani

Explanation: Sanam Marvi was recognized with the Pride of Performance for her mastery of Sufi music and her role in taking the message of Sufi saints to international audiences. The award highlights the state's support for cultural heritage and the 'Sufi' identity of Pakistan.

#1246

In the context of 2024-2025, which medal is awarded to officers who successfully complete 10 years of meritorious service?

(a) Tamgha-e-Azm

(b) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military)

(c) Tamgha-e-Diffa

(d) Tamgha-e-Liaqat

Explanation: Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) is the basic tier of the Order of Imtiaz. For military personnel, it is awarded to recognize a decade or more of distinguished service. As officers progress, they may be eligible for Sitara-e-Imtiaz and eventually Hilal-e-Imtiaz based on their rank and achievements.

#1247

Which anniversary is observed on April 21 in Pakistan?

(a) The death anniversary of Allama Iqbal

(b) The birth of Quaid-e-Azam

(c) The passing of the 1956 Constitution

(d) The launch of the PIA

Explanation: The death anniversary of the national philosopher and poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, is observed on April 21. He passed away in 1938, nine years before the creation of Pakistan. His poetry and philosophy continue to be a source of guidance and remembrance for the nation's ideological identity.

#1248

The death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is observed on April 4. For what is he primarily remembered in Pakistan's history?

(a) Making Pakistan a nuclear power and the 1973 Constitution

(b) Winning the 1965 war

(c) Discovering gas at Sui

(d) The creation of the Muslim League

Explanation: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979. He is remembered by his supporters as the 'Quid-e-Awam' (Leader of the People) for giving the country its consensus constitution, launching the nuclear program, and hosting the 1974 OIC Summit, which brought the Muslim world together in Lahore.

#1249

Which event is remembered on April 10 in the context of Pakistan's democratic history?

(a) The passage of the 1973 Constitution

(b) The birth of Z.A. Bhutto

(c) The first general elections

(d) The creation of Islamabad

Explanation: On April 10, 1973, the National Assembly of Pakistan passed the 1973 Constitution by a unanimous vote. This day is remembered as 'Constitution Day' to celebrate the legal framework that defines the roles of the state institutions and the rights of the citizens.

#1250

Which province of Pakistan has the highest 'Literacy Rate' according to census-linked surveys in 2024-2025?

(a) Sindh

(b) Punjab

(c) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

(d) Balochistan

Explanation: Punjab consistently records the highest literacy rate among the provinces (around 66%). Literacy is a key indicator analyzed alongside population growth, as there is a direct correlation between higher literacy (especially female education) and lower population growth rates.

#1251

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, what is the estimated national literacy rate of Pakistan?

(a) 58%

(b) 62.8%

(c) 70%

(d) 75%

Explanation: As of the 2024-25 reports, Pakistan's national literacy rate is estimated to be approximately 62.8%. While there has been a marginal improvement over the years, the rate remains one of the lowest in South Asia, hampered by high population growth and insufficient infrastructure in rural areas.

#1252

The 'National Curriculum Framework 2024' was introduced to replace and refine which previous initiative?

(a) Education Policy 1998

(b) Single National Curriculum (SNC)

(c) Vision 2025

(d) The English Medium Act

Explanation: The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2024 was developed to evolve the previous Single National Curriculum (SNC). While the SNC aimed for uniformity, the NCF 2024 focuses on providing a more flexible, competency-based framework that provincial boards can adapt while maintaining a core national standard.

#1253

Which province has the lowest literacy rate in Pakistan as of the 2024-25 data?

(a) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

(b) Sindh

(c) Balochistan

(d) Punjab

Explanation: Balochistan remains at the bottom of the literacy rankings with a rate of approximately 44-46%. Severe geographic dispersion, lack of schools in remote areas, and security challenges have historically hindered educational progress in the province.

#1254

What percentage of Pakistan's total GDP is currently spent on the education sector as of 2024-25?

(a) 1.5%

(b) 1.7% to 1.9%

(c) 4.0%

(d) 7.0%

Explanation: Pakistan's spending on education remains below the recommended international standard of 4% of GDP. As of the 2024-25 fiscal period, the total public expenditure on education (federal and provincial) is estimated at around 1.7% to 1.9% of GDP, which is a major bottleneck in improving literacy rates.

#1255

Which province launched the 'Sehat Card' style 'Kisan Card' that also includes an educational subsidy for farmers' children in 2024?

(a) Sindh

(b) Punjab

(c) KPK

(d) Balochistan

Explanation: The Punjab government, under the 2024 initiatives, integrated certain educational incentives into the Kisan Card framework to encourage farmers to keep their children in schools, providing stipends and digital learning tools to rural students.

#1256

In 2024, the Prime Minister declared a 'National Education Emergency' to address what specific issue?

(a) The lack of school uniforms

(b) The high number of out-of-school children (26 million)

(c) The banning of exams

(d) The increase in university fees

Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared an education emergency in May 2024, emphasizing that with 26 million children out of school, the nation faces a 'ticking bomb.' The declaration aimed to mobilize resources to enroll these children within a five-year target.

#1257

The 'National Education Policy 2024' places a renewed emphasis on which language for primary instruction?

(a) English only

(b) Mother tongue or Regional language

(c) Arabic only

(d) French

Explanation: Following modern pedagogical research, the 2024 policy encourages the use of the mother tongue or local regional languages for primary-level instruction to improve comprehension, with a gradual transition to Urdu and English.

#1258

The 'Reading Improvement Programme' (RIP) launched in 2024 focuses on which level?

(a) University

(b) Primary (Grade 1-3) for foundational literacy

(c) PhD level

(d) Vocational

Explanation: Recognizing that children were reaching Grade 5 without basic reading skills, the government launched RIP in 2024. It focuses on 'Foundational Literacy and Numeracy' (FLN) in the first three years of schooling.

#1259

As of the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, what is the estimated total size of the labour force in Pakistan?

(a) 55.2 Million

(b) 65.8 Million

(c) 75.5 Million

(d) 85.1 Million

Explanation: According to the latest Labour Force Survey data and Economic Survey for 2024-25, Pakistan's total labour force stands at approximately 75.5 million people. This makes Pakistan the 9th largest labour force in the world. The growth in the labour force is driven by a high population growth rate and a significant 'youth bulge,' requiring the state to generate nearly 1.5 to 2 million jobs annually to keep unemployment stable.

#1260

Which country remains the top destination for Pakistani migrant workers seeking employment abroad in 2024-2025?

(a) United Arab Emirates

(b) Saudi Arabia

(c) Qatar

(d) United Kingdom

Explanation: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) continues to be the primary destination for Pakistani labour migration, hosting over 50% of the workers who went abroad in the 2024-2025 period. This migration is facilitated by various bilateral agreements and the 'Vision 2030' projects in KSA, which require a massive influx of construction, hospitality, and technical workers from Pakistan.

April 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions