#1241

The 'Atatürk' exercises between Pakistan and Turkey reached their 12th edition in 2023-2024. Which type of forces participate in these?

(a) Air Force

(b) Special Forces

(c) Navy

(d) Cyber Command

Explanation: The Atatürk exercises are dedicated to the Special Forces of both countries. They involve rigorous training in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and specialized urban operations, reflecting the high level of trust and skill-sharing in their alliance.

#1242

Which international body serves as the 'Final Arbiter' for the Indus Waters Treaty disputes, as seen in the 2024-2025 Kishenganga case?

(a) The UN General Assembly

(b) The World Bank and the Court of Arbitration

(c) The SCO Court

(d) The OIC Secretariat

Explanation: As the signatory and mediator of the 1960 treaty, the World Bank plays a central role. For the current disputes over Indian hydroelectric projects, the World Bank has appointed both a 'Neutral Expert' and a 'Court of Arbitration' to address Pakistan's technical and legal objections.

#1243

In late 2024 and early 2025, which major treaty became a point of severe contention between Pakistan and India following a modification notice by India?

(a) Tashkent Declaration

(b) Simla Agreement

(c) Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

(d) Lahore Declaration

Explanation: In September 2024, India issued a formal notice to Pakistan seeking a fundamental review and modification of the 64-year-old Indus Waters Treaty. Throughout 2025, this led to intense diplomatic standoffs, with India citing 'changed circumstances' and 'persistent disputes' over hydroelectric projects like Kishenganga and Ratle, while Pakistan maintained the treaty must be upheld via the World Bank's existing mechanisms.

#1244

Which Indian External Affairs Minister made a landmark visit to Islamabad in October 2024 for the SCO Summit, the first such visit in nearly a decade?

(a) Sushma Swaraj

(b) S. Jaishankar

(c) Nitin Gadkari

(d) Rajnath Singh

Explanation: S. Jaishankar's visit to Islamabad in October 2024 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting was highly significant, as it was the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan since 2015. While the visit focused on multilateralism, it occurred amidst a frozen bilateral relationship and intense regional security concerns.

#1245

Which multi-mission satellite launched by Pakistan in mid-2024 significantly enhanced its strategic communication and surveillance capabilities in 2025?

(a) Badr-1

(b) PakSat-MM1

(c) PRSS-1

(d) PakSat-1R

Explanation: PakSat-MM1 (Multi-Mission Satellite 1) became fully operational in early 2025. It provides high-speed broadband, DTH services, and secure communication links for the state. Strategically, it reduces reliance on foreign satellite providers for critical data, especially during periods of heightened border tensions.

#1246

What technology did India test in 2024-2025 under 'Mission Divyastra' that altered the strategic balance in the region?

(a) Hypersonic Missiles

(b) MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle)

(c) Anti-Satellite Weapons

(d) Nuclear-powered Submarines

Explanation: In 2024, India successfully tested the Agni-V missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. In 2025, the deployment of this technology meant a single missile could carry multiple warheads and hit different targets, forcing Pakistan to reconsider its 'Full Spectrum Deterrence' and defensive missile shielding.

#1247

Which high-altitude tunnel, opened by India in late 2024/early 2025, enhanced their logistics near the border areas of Ladakh?

(a) Atal Tunnel

(b) Shinku La Tunnel

(c) Zojila Tunnel

(d) Lowari Tunnel

Explanation: The Shinku La Tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, was a major infrastructure milestone. For Pakistan, this meant India's ability to mobilize troops and heavy armor toward the sensitive Northern Areas and the LoC would be significantly faster and more reliable regardless of weather conditions.

#1248

Which region was the site of the 'G-20' related tensions in 2023-2024 that continued to influence the diplomatic freeze in 2025?

(a) Ladakh

(b) Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir)

(c) Siachen

(d) Junagadh

Explanation: India's decision to host a G-20 tourism meeting in Srinagar in 2023 was strongly opposed by Pakistan. In 2025, the political fallout of this event continued to prevent any 'back-channel' diplomacy, with Pakistan insisting on a reversal of the 2019 status before any formal normalization could occur.

#1249

Which major hydroelectric project in J&K did Pakistan object to in 2024-2025, claiming it violates the IWT?

(a) Tarbela

(b) Mangla

(c) Ratle Hydroelectric Plant

(d) Warsak

Explanation: Pakistan has long objected to the design of the Ratle and Kishenganga projects on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers respectively. In 2025, India's move to push ahead with construction despite Pakistani protests at the Court of Arbitration led to the current impasse over the treaty's modification.

#1250

Which international financial condition forced Pakistan to prioritize defense spending on 'maintenance' rather than 'new acquisitions' in the 2024-2025 budget?

(a) FATF Blacklist

(b) IMF Bailout conditions

(c) World Bank sanctions

(d) US Trade embargo

Explanation: The IMF's 2024-2025 Extended Fund Facility (EFF) required Pakistan to implement strict fiscal discipline. As a result, the 2025 defense budget focused on maintaining existing operational readiness and local indigenization projects (like JF-17) rather than high-cost imports from the West.

#1251

Which Indian surface-to-air missile system, deployed near the border in 2024-2025, posed a challenge to PAF flights?

(a) Anza

(b) S-400 Triumf

(c) Stinger

(d) Patriot

Explanation: The S-400, acquired by India from Russia, has a long-range capability that covers a significant portion of Pakistani airspace from within Indian territory. In 2025, the presence of these batteries forced the PAF to develop more advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) and standoff weapon capabilities.

#1252

Which Pakistani port city saw the inauguration of a new high-tech 'Maritime Science and Technology Park' in 2024-2025?

(a) Karachi

(b) Gwadar

(c) Ormara

(d) Pasni

Explanation: The Pakistan Navy's Maritime Science and Technology Park (PMSTP) in Karachi was designed to foster indigenous naval technology. In 2025, it focused on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and marine surveillance tech to counter the Indian Navy's numerical advantage.

#1253

Which 2024-2025 political development in India influenced the 'hawkish' stance on Pakistan border security?

(a) General Elections 2024

(b) The opening of the Ram Mandir

(c) Assembly elections in J&K

(d) All of the above

Explanation: The 2024 General Elections in India and the subsequent J&K assembly elections saw national security and 'standing up to Pakistan' as major political themes. This domestic political environment ensured that no major diplomatic breakthrough occurred through 2025.

#1254

Which Indian Air Force aircraft, considered a legacy platform, was finally being replaced by the Tejas Mk1A in 2024-2025?

(a) Rafale

(b) MiG-21

(c) Sukhoi Su-30

(d) Mirage 2000

Explanation: The MiG-21 Bison, which was shoot down by the PAF in 2019, was gradually retired by India. By 2025, the indigenous Tejas Mk1A had started replacing these aging jets, altering the tactical landscape of the 'dogfights' along the border.

#1255

Which Pakistani official visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting in 2023, setting the tone for the 2024-2025 standoff?

(a) Shah Mahmood Qureshi

(b) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

(c) Hina Rabbani Khar

(d) Ishaq Dar

Explanation: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's 2023 visit to Goa for the SCO was the first by a Pakistani FM to India in 12 years. However, the visit ended in mutual recriminations, reinforcing the hardline stances that have characterized the 2024-2025 period.

#1256

What is the name of India's indigenous aircraft carrier that became fully operational in 2023-2024 and influenced naval balance in 2025?

(a) INS Vikrant

(b) INS Vikramaditya

(c) INS Arihant

(d) INS Virat

Explanation: INS Vikrant is India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier. Its operationalization in 2025 gives the Indian Navy a dual-carrier capability (along with INS Vikramaditya), allowing them to project power across both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal simultaneously.

#1257

Which Pakistani social media platform/portal was launched in 2024-2025 to counter 'Fake News' originating from across the border?

(a) Pak-Fact-Check

(b) Digital Pakistan Portal

(c) PTA Verification App

(d) Information Ministry Dashboards

Explanation: In 2025, the government launched several initiatives to counter what it called 'coordinated disinformation campaigns' (Fifth Generation Warfare). These portals provide real-time debunking of viral posts related to military movements and political stability.

#1258

Which athlete was conferred with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024-2025 for winning Pakistan's first individual Olympic gold medal in 40 years?

(a) Babar Azam

(b) Arshad Nadeem

(c) Jahangir Khan

(d) Talha Talib

Explanation: Arshad Nadeem was honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian award, following his historic performance at the Paris Olympics (effectively recognized in the 2024-2025 cycle). He set a new Olympic record in the Javelin throw, ending Pakistan's long medal drought and becoming a national hero.

#1259

In May 2024, which late foreign head of state was posthumously conferred with the Nishan-e-Pakistan during an official state visit?

(a) Xi Jinping

(b) Ebrahim Raisi

(c) Vladimir Putin

(d) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Explanation: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was conferred with the Nishan-e-Pakistan during his visit to Pakistan in April 2024. Following his tragic death in a helicopter crash shortly after, the award became a significant symbol of the enduring and historic ties between Pakistan and Iran during the 2024-2025 period.

#1260

Which individual received the Nishan-e-Pakistan in 2024 for his long-standing services to the development and community uplift of Pakistan?

(a) Prince Rahim Aga Khan

(b) Bill Gates

(c) Malala Yousafzai

(d) Abdul Sattar Edhi

Explanation: Prince Rahim Aga Khan was conferred with the Nishan-e-Pakistan in 2024. This was in recognition of his significant role and the Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN) contribution to Pakistan's socio-economic development, particularly in health, education, and cultural preservation in the northern areas.

January 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions