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.
#1221
Which major dam project on the Indus River, designed for 4,500 MW of power, reached significant construction milestones in 2024?
(a) Mohmand Dam
(b) Diamer-Bhasha Dam
(c) Tarbela 5th Extension
(d) Munda Dam
Explanation: Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a vital national project for water storage and power generation. Located on the Indus River, it will have a live storage capacity of 6.4 million acre-feet (MAF) and provide clean energy while extending the life of Tarbela Dam.
#1222
Which organization manages the 'Digital Pakistan' projects, including the 2024-2025 E-Office implementation?
(a) PTA
(b) Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT)
(c) NTC
(d) SUPARCO
Explanation: The MoITT is the lead ministry for the 'Digital Pakistan' vision. It oversees the rollout of the E-Office system across federal ministries to ensure transparency and efficiency, as well as the expansion of broadband and software exports.
#1223
Which country hosted the first 'Special Investment Facilitation Council' (SIFC) roadshow abroad in 2023-2024?
(a) China
(b) United Arab Emirates (UAE)
(c) United Kingdom
(d) Qatar
Explanation: The SIFC conducted its first major international roadshow in the UAE to pitch projects in agriculture, mining, and IT to Gulf investors. This resulted in several MoUs and investment commitments from UAE-based entities.
#1224
Which country recently pledged $10 billion in investment to Pakistan following the Prime Minister's visit in 2024?
(a) China
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) United Arab Emirates (UAE)
(d) Qatar
Explanation: Following high-level visits in mid-2024, the UAE pledged $10 billion in investment for various sectors in Pakistan. This commitment reflects the strengthening economic ties and the success of the SIFC in attracting Gulf capital.
#1225
Which CPEC project involves the 'Lining of Watercourses' to improve agricultural efficiency in 2024-2025?
(a) Green Revolution 2.0
(b) Agriculture Modernization Project
(c) CPEC Canal Project
(d) Indus Lining Scheme
Explanation: Under CPEC Phase II, agriculture modernization includes projects for water conservation. Lining of watercourses and the introduction of high-efficiency irrigation systems are being implemented to reduce water wastage and boost crop yields.
#1226
In 2024, the Pakistan government announced the digitization of which major revenue-collecting department?
(a) Pakistan Post
(b) Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
(c) Ministry of Tourism
(d) Sports Board
Explanation: The FBR modernization and digitization program is a major priority for the government in 2024-2025. This includes implementing track-and-trace systems and end-to-end digital processing to increase tax compliance and transparency.
#1227
In 2024-2025, Pakistan commissioned several new frigates built by China. What is the name of this class of ships?
(a) Tariq Class
(b) Tughril Class (Type 054A/P)
(c) Zulfiquar Class
(d) Alamgir Class
Explanation: The Tughril-class frigates (Type 054A/P) are the most advanced multi-role surface combatants in the Pakistan Navy's inventory. Equipped with state-of-the-art surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, these ships significantly enhance the fleet's defensive and offensive capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
#1228
Who is the professional head of the Pakistan Navy (as of 2024-2025)?
(a) Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi
(b) Admiral Naveed Ashraf
(c) Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi
(d) Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah
Explanation: Admiral Naveed Ashraf assumed command as the 16th Chief of Naval Staff on October 7, 2023. He is responsible for the operational readiness and strategic direction of the Pakistan Navy.
#1229
The 'Indus Shield' is an international exercise hosted by the PAF. Where did its 2023-2024 editions primarily take place?
(a) PAF Base Risalpur
(b) Air Power Center of Excellence (ACE)
(c) PAF Base Samungli
(d) PAF Base Peshawar
Explanation: The Indus Shield exercise is hosted at the Air Power Center of Excellence (ACE) at PAF Base Mushaf. It involves participation from various friendly countries to enhance interoperability and share modern combat tactics.
#1230
Pakistan is consistently ranked among the top contributors of troops to the UN. As of 2024-2025, approximately how many Pakistani personnel are serving in UN missions?
(a) 1,000
(b) Over 4,000
(c) 10,000
(d) 25,000
Explanation: Pakistan remains one of the largest troop-contributing countries (TCC) to the United Nations. As of recent data in 2024-2025, over 4,000 Pakistani peacekeepers, including troops, police, and staff officers, are deployed in some of the most challenging conflict zones across the world.
#1231
As of the 2024-2025 cycle, approximately how many Pakistani peacekeepers have embraced martyrdom in the line of duty since 1960?
(a) 50
(b) Over 170
(c) 300
(d) 500
Explanation: Pakistan has paid a heavy price for global peace. More than 170 Pakistani peacekeepers, including officers and soldiers, have lost their lives in various UN missions across the globe, reflecting the country's deep commitment to the UN's peacekeeping mandates.
#1232
Pakistani engineers are often deployed in UN missions for specialized tasks. In 2023-2024, they were praised for building roads and bridges in which mission?
(a) UNIFIL (Lebanon)
(b) UNMISS (South Sudan)
(c) UNMOGIP
(d) UNSMIL
Explanation: Pakistani engineers in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been widely commended for their infrastructure projects. They have constructed hundreds of kilometers of roads and numerous bridges, which are vital for delivering humanitarian aid to remote populations.
#1233
As of 2024-2025, Pakistan has increasingly engaged in 'Defense Diplomacy' with which country, resulting in the 'Druzhba' (Friendship) series of military exercises?
(a) Germany
(b) Russia
(c) Japan
(d) Italy
Explanation: Following the lifting of a Russian arms embargo on Pakistan in 2014, the two countries have moved toward closer defense ties. The 'Druzhba' exercises started in 2016 and have continued through 2024-2025, focusing on counter-terrorism and mountain warfare, signaling a 'thaw' in Cold War-era rivalries.
#1234
In October 2024, which major summit was hosted in Islamabad, bringing together leaders from China, Russia, and Central Asia to discuss regional stability?
(a) OIC Summit
(b) SCO Council of Heads of Government
(c) ECO Summit
(d) SAARC Summit
Explanation: Islamabad successfully hosted the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in October 2024. The summit was a major diplomatic success for Pakistan, emphasizing regional security, CPEC integration into the SCO framework, and collective economic resilience.
#1235
What is the name of the 'Special Investment Facilitation Council' (SIFC) initiative introduced in 2023-2024 to boost defense exports through alliances?
(a) Green Pakistan
(b) Defense Production Indigenization Hub
(c) SIFC Defense Wing
(d) Defense Export Promotion Organization (DEPO)
Explanation: While DEPO has existed for years, the SIFC (established in 2023) introduced a specialized focus on defense production as a key investment sector. It seeks to form joint ventures with allied nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar to modernize Pakistan's defense industries and increase foreign exchange through exports.
#1236
Which country signed an agreement with Pakistan in 2024 to cooperate on the development of 'AI-driven defense systems'?
(a) USA
(b) China
(c) Turkey
(d) Azerbaijan
Explanation: As part of the CPEC Phase II and broader strategic ties, China and Pakistan have intensified cooperation in high-tech defense fields. This includes AI for surveillance, electronic warfare, and the development of next-generation unmanned systems to maintain parity in a rapidly digitizing battlefield.
#1237
In the 2024-2025 context, which Central Asian country has emerged as a key partner for Pakistan in 'Trans-Afghan' logistics and security?
(a) Kazakhstan
(b) Uzbekistan
(c) Turkmenistan
(d) Kyrgyzstan
Explanation: Uzbekistan and Pakistan have signed several agreements for the 'Trans-Afghan Railway' and regional trade corridors. This partnership has a strong security dimension, as both nations seek to stabilize Afghanistan to ensure the safety of transit routes and prevent the spread of regional militancy.
#1238
In late 2024, Pakistan finalized an agreement with which country for the modernization of its 'T-80UD' tank fleet?
(a) Russia
(b) Ukraine
(c) China
(d) Poland
Explanation: Despite the ongoing conflict in Europe, Pakistan has maintained a long-standing defense industrial link with Ukraine, specifically for its tank fleet. Ukraine originally supplied the T-80UD tanks in the 1990s and continues to provide technical support and modernization kits for these armored vehicles.
#1239
Which Gulf nation has signed a 'Maritime Security' MOU with Pakistan in 2024 to curb narcotics smuggling in the North Arabian Sea?
(a) Bahrain
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) United Arab Emirates
(d) Kuwait
Explanation: The UAE and Pakistan have strengthened their maritime alliance, focusing on the 'clandestine' threats in the Arabian Sea. This includes drug trafficking and human smuggling, which are often linked to the financing of regional instability.
#1240
In 2024-2025, Pakistan’s 'Naval Expansion' includes the induction of four Milgem corvettes. What is the Pakistani name for this class?
(a) Tughril Class
(b) Babur Class
(c) Zulfiquar Class
(d) Alamgir Class
Explanation: The Babur-class corvettes (MILGEM) are a product of the Turkey-Pakistan defense alliance. They are multi-mission surface combatants equipped with indigenous Harbah missiles and modern stealth features, significantly boosting the Navy's offensive capabilities.