#1321

Who is the first Pakistani woman to be appointed as an 'Ambassador' to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2024?

(a) Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

(b) Fauzia Fayyaz

(c) Ayesha Farooqi

(d) Sherry Rehman

Explanation: Fauzia Fayyaz, a senior career diplomat, has served as a counselor and later in key roles in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first female Pakistani diplomat in the Kingdom. Her work and recent appointments of senior female diplomats to Gulf countries reflect the changing dynamics of Pakistan's 'Diplomatic Diversity' in 2024-2025.

#1322

In 2024 and 2025, a major point of contention between the government and digital rights activists was the implementation of what technology?

(a) 5G Networks

(b) National Firewall

(c) Digital Rupee

(d) E-Voting Machines

Explanation: The installation of a 'National Firewall' for content filtering and the resulting internet slowdowns became a massive controversy in 2024-2025. Civil society and IT experts argued that it would harm the freelance economy and restricted the right to information and free digital communication.

#1323

Which social media platform remained blocked in Pakistan for over a year starting from February 2024?

(a) Facebook

(b) TikTok

(c) X (formerly Twitter)

(d) YouTube

Explanation: The platform X (Twitter) was restricted in Pakistan following the February 2024 general elections. The government cited national security concerns, while civil society challenged the ban in the Sindh and Islamabad High Courts as a violation of the right to expression.

#1324

In 2024, the ECP and the government faced criticism from civil society for 'internet shutdowns' during which specific day?

(a) Eid-ul-Fitr

(b) The Election Day (Feb 8, 2024)

(c) Independence Day

(d) Resolution Day

Explanation: On February 8, 2024, mobile and internet services were shut down across Pakistan. The government cited security concerns, but civil society and international observers criticized the move for hindering voters' access to polling information and the transmission of results.

#1325

The 'Niazi vs. ECP' and other digital rights cases in the Islamabad High Court in 2024 were overseen by which judge known for his focus on civil liberties?

(a) Justice Babar Sattar

(b) Justice Saqib Nisar

(c) Justice Qazi Faez Isa

(d) Justice Gulzar Ahmed

Explanation: Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court has been at the forefront of digital rights cases in 2024. He has repeatedly questioned the state's authority to conduct mass surveillance and install web-filtering systems without a clear legislative framework.

#1326

The 'Niazi vs. State' cases in 2024-2025 involving 'missing' social media activists were primarily handled through which legal writ?

(a) Habeas Corpus

(b) Certiorari

(c) Quo Warranto

(d) Prohibition

Explanation: The writ of Habeas Corpus ('produce the body') is the primary legal tool used by civil society lawyers to demand the release of individuals allegedly abducted by state agencies for their online or political activities.

#1327

The 'Niazi' vs. the State narrative in the media during 2024-2025 highlighted the divide between:

(a) Sports and Politics

(b) Pro-PTI digital media vs. the pro-Establishment traditional media

(c) Sindh and Punjab

(d) Religious vs. Secular law

Explanation: The 2024-2025 period saw a deep polarization where mainstream TV channels (regulated by PEMRA) were seen as carrying the state's narrative, while YouTube and X became the primary battlegrounds for the PTI's counter-narrative.

#1328

What is the total value of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) approved by the IMF for Pakistan in September 2024 during Shahbaz Sharif's second tenure?

(a) $3 Billion

(b) $6 Billion

(c) $7 Billion

(d) $10 Billion

Explanation: In September 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approved a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement for Pakistan worth approximately $7 billion (SDR 5,320 million). This program was designed to support the government's efforts to cement macroeconomic stability and create conditions for a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient growth through difficult structural reforms.

#1329

Which historic constitutional amendment was passed in October 2024, introducing significant reforms to the judicial appointment process?

(a) 25th Amendment

(b) 26th Amendment

(c) 27th Amendment

(d) 28th Amendment

Explanation: The 26th Constitutional Amendment, also known as the Constitutional Package, was passed in October 2024. Key provisions included the formation of a Judicial Commission to appoint judges, a fixed three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan, and the establishment of constitutional benches in the Supreme Court and High Courts. The amendment aimed to ensure parliamentary oversight in the appointment of the top judiciary.

#1330

Which Pakistani city hosted the 23rd Meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in October 2024?

(a) Karachi

(b) Lahore

(c) Islamabad

(d) Gwadar

Explanation: Islamabad hosted the high-profile SCO summit on October 15-16, 2024. This was a major diplomatic milestone for the Shahbaz Sharif government, attended by several heads of government, including the premiers of China and Russia. The summit focused on regional cooperation in trade, economy, and security, and was the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.

#1331

Who was elected as the 14th President of Pakistan in March 2024, following the general elections?

(a) Arif Alvi

(b) Asif Ali Zardari

(c) Mehmood Khan Achakzai

(d) Fazal-ur-Rehman

Explanation: Asif Ali Zardari was elected as the President of Pakistan for a second time on March 9, 2024. As the joint candidate of the ruling coalition led by the PML-N and PPP, his election was a key component of the power-sharing agreement between the major political parties following the February 2024 general elections.

#1332

Which major multi-purpose dam project on the Indus River reached significant construction milestones in 2024-2025 with the support of the SIFC?

(a) Mohmand Dam

(b) Diamer-Bhasha Dam

(c) Nai Gaj Dam

(d) Dasu Dam

Explanation: The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, located on the Indus River, is a vital national project for water storage and hydroelectric power generation. During the 2024-2025 period, the Shahbaz Sharif government prioritized its funding and construction speed, aiming to provide 4,500 MW of clean energy and 6.4 MAF of water storage capacity.

#1333

On which date did the 2024 General Elections in Pakistan take place, leading to the formation of the second Shahbaz Sharif government?

(a) February 5, 2024

(b) February 8, 2024

(c) February 14, 2024

(d) March 1, 2024

Explanation: The general elections were held on February 8, 2024. After weeks of political negotiations, a coalition government was formed between the PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, and other smaller parties. Shahbaz Sharif was subsequently elected as the Prime Minister for his second term on March 3, 2024.

#1334

Which communication satellite was launched by Pakistan in May 2024 to enhance broadband and digital connectivity?

(a) PakSat-1R

(b) PakSat-MM1

(c) PRSS-1

(d) iCube-Qamar

Explanation: PakSat-MM1 (Multi-Mission Satellite 1) was launched in May 2024 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China. It is designed to provide high-speed internet, direct-to-home (DTH) services, and improved communication coverage across Pakistan, serving as a critical component of the 'Digital Pakistan' vision.

#1335

Who was appointed as the 30th Chief Justice of Pakistan in October 2024, following the implementation of the 26th Amendment?

(a) Justice Qazi Faez Isa

(b) Justice Mansoor Ali Shah

(c) Justice Yahya Afridi

(d) Justice Munib Akhtar

Explanation: Justice Yahya Afridi was appointed as the Chief Justice of Pakistan on October 26, 2024. He was the first Chief Justice appointed under the new mechanism introduced by the 26th Constitutional Amendment, where a Special Parliamentary Committee selects the CJP from among the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court.

#1336

Which military operation was approved by the federal cabinet in June 2024 to tackle the renewed surge in militancy across the country?

(a) Operation Zarb-e-Azb

(b) Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad

(c) Operation Azm-e-Istehkam

(d) Operation Rah-e-Rast

Explanation: Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) was approved as a comprehensive national counter-terrorism campaign. It aims to integrate kinetic military actions with socio-economic development and enhanced border management to permanently eliminate the threat of terrorism and ensure internal security.

#1337

Which Pakistani airline was the primary target of the government's 'Privatization' drive in late 2024 and 2025?

(a) Airblue

(b) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)

(c) Serene Air

(d) AirSial

Explanation: The privatization of PIA was a key condition of the IMF program and a central economic policy of the Shahbaz Sharif government in 2024-2025. The process involved segregating the airline's legacy debts into a separate holding company to make the core flight operations attractive to private investors and international airlines.

#1338

The 'Panda Bond' initiative, launched by the government in 2024, involves raising capital from which country's capital market?

(a) USA

(b) China

(c) Saudi Arabia

(d) Japan

Explanation: Pakistan prepared and launched its first 'Panda Bond' in 2024 to raise up to $300 million from the Chinese capital market. These yuan-denominated bonds were part of the government's strategy to diversify its funding sources and reduce reliance on traditional dollar-denominated debt.

#1339

Which Gulf country pledged a $10 billion investment in Pakistan following PM Shahbaz Sharif's visit in May 2024?

(a) Qatar

(b) United Arab Emirates (UAE)

(c) Saudi Arabia

(d) Kuwait

Explanation: During a high-level visit to Abu Dhabi in May 2024, the UAE leadership pledged to invest $10 billion in various sectors of the Pakistani economy. This commitment was facilitated by the SIFC and focused on ports, logistics, energy, and digital infrastructure.

#1340

The 'Matiari-Lahore' transmission line, a CPEC project that saw improved operational stability in 2024, uses which advanced technology?

(a) HVAC

(b) HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current)

(c) Underground Fiber Optic

(d) Wireless Power Transfer

Explanation: The 660kV Matiari-Lahore HVDC transmission line is Pakistan's first and only HVDC project. In 2024-2025, it played a crucial role in transmitting power from southern coal and wind plants to the northern load centers with minimal line losses, helping to stabilize the national grid.

January 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions