January 2024 Edition
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January 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#941
Which international event hosted by Pakistan in October 2024 marked a significant diplomatic return to the regional stage?
(a) The SAARC Summit
(b) The SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting
(c) The OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting
(d) The COP29 Climate Summit
Explanation: Pakistan hosted the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in October 2024. This was a major success for Pakistan's multilateral diplomacy, as it brought together leaders from Russia, China, and Central Asia, and included the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nine years.
#942
In 2024-2025, Pakistan's relationship with India remained 'frozen' primarily due to which condition set by Islamabad?
(a) The return of Junagadh
(b) The restoration of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir
(c) A formal apology for the 1971 war
(d) An increase in water flow in the Ravi river
Explanation: Pakistan has maintained that no formal bilateral dialogue or trade can resume with India until New Delhi revisits its August 5, 2019 decision that revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. India's refusal to discuss this internal matter has led to a prolonged diplomatic stalemate.
#943
Which Gulf country signed a $2.2 billion investment deal with Pakistan during a summit in Islamabad in October 2024?
(a) UAE
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Qatar
(d) Kuwait
Explanation: A high-level Saudi delegation visited Islamabad in October 2024 and signed 27 MoUs worth $2.2 billion. This is a critical development for Pakistan's foreign policy, as it shifts the relationship with Riyadh from one of 'financial aid' to 'economic partnership'.
#944
The implementation of which digital infrastructure in 2024-2025 caused international and domestic concern regarding Pakistan's digital freedom?
(a) 5G technology
(b) National Firewall for content filtering
(c) A new E-Passport system
(d) Blockchain banking
Explanation: The installation of a 'National Firewall' to monitor and filter internet traffic sparked concerns from the IT industry, foreign tech giants, and digital rights groups. The resulting internet slowdowns were seen as a challenge to Pakistan's 'Look Digital' foreign policy goals and its attractiveness for global freelancers.
#945
Pakistan's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2024-2025 has been characterized by:
(a) Full support for Russia
(b) Principled neutrality and abstention from UN resolutions condemning Russia
(c) Joining the NATO coalition
(d) Cutting all ties with Ukraine
Explanation: Pakistan has maintained a neutral stance, calling for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. While it has abstained from UN votes against Russia, it has continued to engage with both Moscow (for wheat and oil) and Kyiv (for defense and trade), reflecting a pragmatic 'bilateralist' approach.
#946
Which European nation's parliament passed a resolution regarding Pakistan's 2024 elections, creating a temporary diplomatic challenge?
(a) France
(b) United Kingdom
(c) Norway
(d) European Parliament (General Resolution)
Explanation: The European Parliament and various Western legislators expressed concerns over the transparency of the February 2024 elections. Managing these 'human rights and democracy' critiques from Western partners is a recurring challenge for Pakistan's Foreign Office.
#947
The 2024 SCO Summit in Islamabad saw the first visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan since which year?
(a) 2010
(b) 2015
(c) 2018
(d) 2021
Explanation: S. Jaishankar's visit in 2024 for the SCO meeting was the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister since Sushma Swaraj's visit in 2015. While no formal bilateral talks occurred, the attendance was seen as an ice-breaking moment for regional multilateralism.
#948
A major security challenge to CPEC Phase II in 2024-2025 has been:
(a) The lack of electricity
(b) Terrorist attacks on Chinese engineers and projects by BLA and TTP
(c) China's bankruptcy
(d) India joining CPEC
Explanation: Targeted attacks on Chinese nationals, such as the Besham attack in March 2024, have led Beijing to demand stricter security measures. Ensuring the safety of foreign workers is a critical foreign policy and security challenge for the Pakistani state.
#949
Which neighboring country's President visited Pakistan in April 2024 to normalize ties and promote the 'Halal Trade'?
(a) Afghanistan
(b) Iran (President Ebrahim Raisi)
(c) China
(d) Maldives
Explanation: President Raisi's visit in April 2024 was a high-profile effort to move past the January missile exchanges. The visit focused on increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion and coordinating on regional security issues.
#950
The 'National Action Plan' (NAP) 2.0 (Azm-e-Istehkam) launched in 2024 is a foreign policy-linked initiative to:
(a) Build houses
(b) Eradicate terrorism to provide a secure environment for foreign investment and CPEC
(c) Increase the number of schools
(d) Ban social media
Explanation: Azm-e-Istehkam is an integrated security campaign intended to eliminate the TTP and other threats. It is crucial for foreign policy because investors, particularly from China and the GCC, require a stable and secure environment before committing funds.
#951
In 2024-2025, which international issue saw Pakistan and the United States working in close alignment?
(a) CPEC development
(b) Counter-terrorism cooperation against IS-K (Daesh)
(c) Relationship with Russia
(d) Banning the IMF
Explanation: Both Washington and Islamabad view the rise of Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) in Afghanistan as a shared threat. This intelligence and security coordination remains a vital pillar of the Pak-US relationship, even as they disagree on other strategic issues.
#952
The 'Look Africa' Trade Forum held in 2024 was hosted in which African city to promote Pakistani goods?
(a) Cairo
(b) Nairobi
(c) Lagos
(d) Johannesburg
Explanation: Nairobi (Kenya) has become a hub for Pakistan's trade engagement in East Africa. These forums are intended to connect Pakistani exporters with African buyers, specifically in the surgical, pharmaceutical, and engineering sectors.
#953
Which country provided a $2 billion liquidity support (rollover) to Pakistan in early 2024 to maintain its reserves?
(a) USA
(b) China
(c) UK
(d) Germany
Explanation: China has frequently rolled over loans and provided liquidity support to help Pakistan meet its external debt obligations. Managing this debt relationship with Beijing is a critical foreign policy and economic task for Islamabad.
#954
The 'Niazi' vs. the State struggle in the media in 2024-2025 has affected Pakistan's foreign policy by:
(a) Increasing exports
(b) Creating concerns among Western partners regarding political stability and human rights
(c) Joining the G7
(d) Ending the debt
Explanation: Internal political polarization often spills over into the foreign policy domain. High-profile cases, arrests, and the crackdown on political workers have led to inquiries and statements from the US State Department and the EU, complicating diplomatic engagement.
#955
Pakistan's 'Economic Diplomacy' doctrine of 2024-2025 is summarized as shifting from:
(a) War to Peace
(b) Geopolitics to Geoeconomics
(c) East to West
(d) Agriculture to Industry only
Explanation: The 'Geoeconomic' shift means that Pakistan wants to be seen as a land-bridge and an economic partner rather than a security surrogate. This policy aims to leverage Pakistan's location for transit, trade, and regional connectivity to ensure long-term national security.
#956
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). The program is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and enabling sustainable growth.
#957
In October 2024, Pakistan hosted which major international gathering for the first time in nearly two decades?
(a) SAARC Summit
(b) SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting
(c) OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting
(d) United Nations General Assembly Session
Explanation: Pakistan hosted the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024. The event attended by leaders from Russia, China, and Central Asian nations, including the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nine years.
#958
Which neighboring country's President visited Pakistan in April 2024, the first such high-level visit after the 'Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar' tensions?
(a) Afghanistan
(b) Iran
(c) China
(d) Turkey
Explanation: President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran visited Pakistan in April 2024. This visit was diplomatically significant as it aimed to normalize ties and promote economic cooperation following a brief period of border tensions and missile exchanges in early 2024.
#959
In 2024, Pakistan and which country signed a series of MoUs worth $2.2 billion during a high-level investment summit in Islamabad?
(a) China
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Russia
(d) Germany
Explanation: During a landmark visit by a high-level Saudi delegation in October 2024, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 27 MoUs and agreements worth $2.2 billion across various sectors, signaling a major boost in bilateral economic ties.
#960
Pakistan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2024 for which term?
(a) 2024-2025
(b) 2025-2026
(c) 2026-2027
(d) 2023-2024
Explanation: In June 2024, Pakistan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term, receiving 182 votes. This is Pakistan's eighth time serving on the Council, where it advocates for the right of self-determination and regional peace.