February 2024 Edition
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February 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#1361
The 2008 General Elections were postponed from January to February due to:
(a) The assassination of Benazir Bhutto
(b) A massive earthquake
(c) A military coup
(d) Floods
Explanation: Following the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, the Election Commission postponed the polls to February 18, 2008, to allow for a period of national mourning and to manage the resulting unrest.
#1362
Which mega transport project was inaugurated in Lahore in February 2013 (just before the tenure) and significantly expanded during the 2013-2018 period?
(a) Orange Line Metro Train
(b) Lahore Metro Bus
(c) Green Line Bus
(d) Peshawar BRT
Explanation: The Lahore Metro Bus system was Pakistan's first bus rapid transit (BRT) system. While the first line was opened in early 2013, the Nawaz Sharif government replicated this model in Islamabad-Rawalpindi (2015) and Multan (2017) as part of their focus on mass transit infrastructure.
#1363
Which operation was launched in February 2017 to eliminate the 'residual threat' of terrorism across the entire country?
(a) Operation Rah-e-Rast
(b) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(c) Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
(d) Operation Sentinel
Explanation: Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (Elimination of Discord) was launched on February 22, 2017, by General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Unlike the geographically focused Zarb-e-Azb, this was a nationwide intelligence-based operation aimed at eliminating sleeper cells and the latent threat of terrorism in urban centers.
#1364
In February 2019, Pakistan conducted 'Operation Swift Retort' in response to which Indian military action?
(a) Pulwama attack
(b) Balakot airstrike
(c) Surgical strike 2016
(d) Uri attack
Explanation: Following an Indian violation of Pakistani airspace and a strike in Balakot on February 26, 2019, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched 'Operation Swift Retort' the next morning. During the engagement, the PAF shot down two Indian fighter jets and captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later released as a 'peace gesture' by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
#1365
In February 2022, Prime Minister Imran Khan made a controversial visit to which country on the day its conflict with Ukraine began?
(a) USA
(b) Russia
(c) China
(d) Turkey
Explanation: Imran Khan's visit to Moscow on February 24, 2022, was the first by a Pakistani PM in 23 years. The visit became a subject of intense international scrutiny as it coincided exactly with the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Khan later claimed that his independent foreign policy and this visit were the reasons behind a 'foreign conspiracy' to oust him.
#1366
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, what is the total share of the agriculture sector in Pakistan's GDP?
(a) 18.9%
(b) 21.2%
(c) 23.54%
(d) 25.1%
Explanation: The agriculture sector remains a vital component of Pakistan's economy. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, the sector's share in the national GDP was recorded at 23.54 percent, showing its significance as a primary driver of the economy despite climatic challenges.
#1367
What was the recorded growth rate of Pakistan's agriculture sector during the fiscal year 2024-25?
(a) 0.56%
(b) 1.55%
(c) 2.38%
(d) 4.22%
Explanation: In FY 2024-25, the agriculture sector in Pakistan grew by 0.56 percent. This modest growth was primarily driven by the livestock, forestry, and fisheries sub-sectors, which managed to offset declines observed in major crop yields.
#1368
Which sub-sector of agriculture contributed the most to the overall agricultural value added in FY 2024-25?
(a) Crops
(b) Livestock
(c) Fisheries
(d) Forestry
Explanation: Livestock is the largest sub-sector of agriculture in Pakistan, contributing approximately 63.60 percent to the agricultural value added and 14.97 percent to the national GDP in FY 2024-25. It has proven to be a resilient component of the rural economy.
#1369
What was the total production of wheat in Pakistan for the fiscal year 2024-25?
(a) 26.21 Million Tonnes
(b) 28.98 Million Tonnes
(c) 30.12 Million Tonnes
(d) 32.50 Million Tonnes
Explanation: Wheat production in Pakistan for FY 2024-25 was recorded at 28.98 million tonnes. Although a significant volume, it represented a decline compared to the previous year due to reduced cultivation area and unfavorable weather during the harvest cycle.
#1370
Which major crop experienced the sharpest decline in production during FY 2024-25?
(a) Rice
(b) Sugarcane
(c) Cotton
(d) Maize
Explanation: Cotton production suffered the most significant setback in FY 2024-25, declining by over 30 percent. The total production reached only 7.08 million bales, down from 10.22 million bales the previous year, primarily due to pest infestations and water issues.
#1371
Which sub-sector of agriculture recorded a growth of 1.42% in FY 2024-25?
(a) Forestry
(b) Fisheries
(c) Livestock
(d) Sugar industry
Explanation: The fisheries sector showed a steady growth of 1.42 percent in FY 2024-25. While it accounts for a small part of the GDP, it is a critical source of protein and provides livelihoods for coastal and inland fishing communities.
#1372
Approximately how many million bales of cotton were produced in Pakistan in FY 2024-25?
(a) 5.50 Million Bales
(b) 7.08 Million Bales
(c) 10.22 Million Bales
(d) 12.00 Million Bales
Explanation: Cotton production for FY 2024-25 reached 7.08 million bales. This was a sharp decline from the previous year's 10.22 million bales, attributed to high input costs and significant pest damage in the main growing areas.
#1373
Which of the following 'Other Crops' showed an 11.5% growth in production in FY 2024-25?
(a) Tobacco
(b) Potato
(c) Sunflower
(d) Canola
Explanation: Potato production grew significantly by 11.5 percent in FY 2024-25. It has become an essential cash crop for farmers in central Punjab, helping to diversify the crop sector away from traditional staples.
#1374
Which sub-sector of 'Other Crops' grew by 4.78% in FY 2024-25, helping the overall agricultural growth?
(a) Major Crops
(b) Minor Crops
(c) Industrial Crops
(d) Fiber Crops
Explanation: Minor crops (or 'Other Crops') like vegetables, pulses, and fruits grew by 4.78 percent. This growth was vital in supporting the sector while major crops like cotton and wheat faced production challenges.
#1375
What is the approximate share of coal-based power in Pakistan's total generation as of 2024-25?
(a) 5%
(b) 10%
(c) 18-20%
(d) 40%
Explanation: The share of coal has increased significantly over the last decade, now making up about 18-20% of the total generation. This shift was intended to move away from expensive imported oil toward more stable (though still environmentally controversial) base-load power.
#1376
Which international financial institution approved a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan in September 2024?
(a) World Bank
(b) Asian Development Bank
(c) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(d) Islamic Development Bank
Explanation: In September 2024, the IMF Executive Board approved a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan worth approximately $7 billion. This program was intended to support Pakistan's efforts to achieve macroeconomic stability, improve tax collection, and implement structural reforms in the energy sector following a period of high inflation and low foreign exchange reserves.
#1377
In 2024, Pakistan focused on 'Digitalization' of which government department to increase revenue?
(a) Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
(b) Ministry of Defense
(c) Postal Services
(d) Radio Pakistan
Explanation: The digitalization and restructuring of the FBR became a core priority in 2024. The goal was to use technology to document the informal economy, reduce human interaction to curb corruption, and broaden the tax base to meet the revenue targets set under the IMF program.
#1378
Which policy was introduced in 2024 to curb the 'Grey Market' of mobile phones and increase revenue?
(a) DIRBS (Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System)
(b) CPEC Phase II
(c) The 5G Auction
(d) Import ban on all electronics
Explanation: While DIRBS was introduced earlier, its strict implementation and integration with tax systems were ramped up in 2024. The system ensures that only duty-paid, legal mobile devices can function on local networks, which has significantly increased tax collection on mobile imports and supported the local assembly industry.
#1379
What is the total value of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) approved by the IMF for Pakistan in September 2024?
(a) $3 Billion
(b) $5 Billion
(c) $7 Billion
(d) $9 Billion
Explanation: In September 2024, the IMF Executive Board approved a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement for Pakistan worth approximately $7 billion (SDR 5,320 million). This program focuses on macroeconomic stability, structural reforms in the energy sector, and broadening the tax base.
#1380
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, what is the total share of the agriculture sector in Pakistan's GDP?
(a) 18.9%
(b) 21.2%
(c) 23.54%
(d) 25.1%
Explanation: The agriculture sector remains a vital component of Pakistan's economy. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, the sector's share in the national GDP was recorded at 23.54 percent, showing its significance as a primary driver of the economy despite climatic challenges.