#961

The 'Joint Communiqué' of the 2024 SCO Summit in Islamabad focused on:

(a) Declarations of war

(b) Regional stability, digital economy, and opposition to unilateral sanctions

(c) The abolition of regional trade

(d) Religious law

Explanation: The Islamabad declaration of the SCO (2024) emphasized multilateralism and rejected 'protectionist' trade measures. It highlighted the need for a more equitable global economic order and enhanced security cooperation among member states.

#962

Which summit held in July 2001 between President Pervez Musharraf and PM Vajpayee failed to produce a joint statement due to disagreements over Kashmir?

(a) The Lahore Summit

(b) The Agra Summit

(c) The Delhi Summit

(d) The Islamabad Summit

Explanation: The Agra Summit was a high-stakes attempt to resolve bilateral issues. Despite extensive drafting, the talks collapsed primarily because India insisted on addressing cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan prioritized the centrality of the Kashmir dispute as the 'core issue'.

#963

In October 2024, which high-ranking Indian official visited Islamabad for the first time in nine years to attend the SCO summit?

(a) Prime Minister Narendra Modi

(b) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

(c) Home Minister Amit Shah

(d) National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

Explanation: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Islamabad in October 2024 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting. While no formal bilateral talks were held, the visit was seen as a significant protocol-level engagement in an otherwise frozen relationship.

#964

Which international forum's Council of Heads of Government meeting was hosted by Pakistan in late 2024, involving all South Asian neighbors?

(a) SAARC

(b) Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

(c) G20

(d) BIMSTEC

Explanation: Pakistan hosted the SCO CHG meeting in October 2024. As a full member of the SCO along with India and Russia, the forum provides a multilateral platform where Pakistani and Indian officials interact despite the absence of a bilateral dialogue process.

#965

Which project on the Chenab River, involving a 850 MW plant, has been referred to 'Neutral Experts' in 2023-2024?

(a) Baglihar

(b) Ratle Hydroelectric Plant

(c) Kishanganga

(d) Salal

Explanation: Pakistan has objected to the design of the Ratle project, particularly its pondage and spillway features. In 2023, the World Bank allowed the simultaneous activation of both 'Neutral Experts' and the 'Court of Arbitration' to resolve the Ratle and Kishanganga disputes.

#966

In the current 2024-2025 fiscal period, the majority of trade between Pakistan and India is conducted via:

(a) Wagah Land Border

(b) Sea routes through third countries (e.g., UAE)

(c) The Munabao Railway

(d) Direct air cargo

Explanation: Due to the suspension of direct bilateral trade since 2019, most essential goods and commercial trade are routed through third countries like the UAE. This indirect trade is significantly more expensive but continues to fulfill regional demand.

#967

In October 2024, which Chinese official visited Pakistan to attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting?

(a) Xi Jinping

(b) Li Qiang

(c) Wang Yi

(d) Li Keqiang

Explanation: Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Islamabad in October 2024 to attend the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. His visit also included bilateral meetings where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the 'high-quality' development of CPEC Phase II.

#968

The second phase of CPEC, currently underway in 2024-2025, focuses primarily on which of the following?

(a) Road construction only

(b) Industrialization, Agriculture, and IT

(c) Building new dams

(d) Military bases

Explanation: CPEC Phase II marks a shift from infrastructure and energy to socio-economic development. The current focus includes the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), agricultural modernization, and Business-to-Business (B2B) cooperation to boost Pakistan's industrial exports.

#969

China provided a liquidity support (loan rollover) of how much to Pakistan in early 2024 to stabilize its economy?

(a) $1 Billion

(b) $2 Billion

(c) $5 Billion

(d) $10 Billion

Explanation: In March 2024, China rolled over a $2 billion loan to Pakistan, providing critical support to its foreign exchange reserves. This financial assistance is part of China's broader effort to help Pakistan maintain macroeconomic stability during its ongoing IMF programs.

#970

In late 2024, Pakistan and China inaugurated which major facility at the Gwadar Port?

(a) Nuclear reactor

(b) New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA)

(c) Space Launch Pad

(d) Oil refinery

Explanation: The New Gwadar International Airport was inaugurated in late 2024. Funded largely by a Chinese grant, it is one of the largest airports in Pakistan and is essential for making Gwadar a global commercial hub by allowing heavy cargo and long-haul international flights.

#971

Which Pakistani Prime Minister visited China in June 2024 to initiate CPEC Phase II?

(a) Imran Khan

(b) Shahbaz Sharif

(c) Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar

(d) Nawaz Sharif

Explanation: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited Beijing and Shenzhen in June 2024. The visit focused on transitioning CPEC from government-led infrastructure to business-to-business (B2B) cooperation, agriculture modernization, and green energy projects.

#972

The 'Besham attack' in March 2024 targeted Chinese nationals working on which project?

(a) Gwadar Port

(b) Dasu Hydropower Project

(c) Orange Line Metro

(d) Thar Coal Mine

Explanation: In March 2024, five Chinese engineers working on the Dasu dam were killed in a suicide attack in Besham. This incident led to heightened security concerns and emphasized the challenge of protecting CPEC personnel from regional terrorism.

#973

The 2024 SCO summit in Islamabad focused on which theme for regional cooperation?

(a) War on terror only

(b) Strengthening Multilateralism and Sustainable Development

(c) Building a new currency

(d) Abolishing borders

Explanation: The SCO Islamabad summit (2024) emphasized the need for a more equitable global economic order and regional connectivity. Member states, led by China and Russia, called for enhanced cooperation in digital trade and energy security.

#974

Which major dam in Pakistan is being built with Chinese assistance under the 'Azm-e-Istehkam' security framework in 2024-2025?

(a) Mangla Dam

(b) Diamer-Bhasha Dam

(c) Warsak Dam

(d) Rawal Dam

Explanation: The Diamer-Bhasha dam is a massive project on the Indus River. Chinese firms are providing critical engineering and financial support. Due to its strategic importance, it is covered under the enhanced security protocols following the 2024 attacks on Chinese nationals.

#975

The 'Sino-Pak' vocational training centers established in 2024 aim to:

(a) Teach Chinese cooking only

(b) Train Pakistani youth in industrial and technical skills for CPEC projects

(c) Teach martial arts

(d) Build furniture

Explanation: To ensure that local Pakistanis benefit from CPEC jobs, several technical and vocational institutes have been set up with Chinese help. They provide training in fields like electrical engineering, welding, and IT to create a skilled local workforce.

#976

As of 2024-2025, the primary security concern for Pakistan regarding Afghanistan is the presence of which group?

(a) Al-Qaeda

(b) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)

(c) ISIS-K

(d) The Northern Alliance

Explanation: Pakistan maintains that the TTP (often called the 'Fitna al-Khawarij' by the state) uses Afghan soil as a base to launch attacks inside Pakistan. This issue has become the 'red line' in bilateral relations, with Islamabad demanding that the Afghan interim government disarm these militants or hand them over.

#977

What is the name of the 'one-document regime' implemented by Pakistan at border crossings in 2024?

(a) The Visa-Free Entry

(b) Valid Passport and Visa requirement

(c) CNIC-based entry

(d) The Border Pass

Explanation: For decades, tribes living along the border (particularly at Chaman and Torkham) crossed using local permits or ID cards. In 2024, Pakistan strictly implemented the 'one-document regime,' requiring a valid passport and visa for all Afghan nationals. This led to prolonged protests by local traders and residents accustomed to free movement.

#978

The 'Trans-Afghan Railway' project, discussed in 2024-2025, seeks to connect Pakistan with which Central Asian country via Afghanistan?

(a) Kazakhstan

(b) Uzbekistan

(c) Tajikistan

(d) Kyrgyzstan

Explanation: The Trans-Afghan Railway project aims to link Termez (Uzbekistan) with Peshawar (Pakistan) via Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. This project is a pillar of Pakistan’s 'Geo-economics' strategy, intended to provide Central Asian states with access to the Arabian Sea via Pakistani ports like Gwadar and Karachi.

#979

In March 2024, Pakistan launched 'intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations' inside Afghan territory in response to:

(a) A dispute over cricket

(b) A major terrorist attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan

(c) The closure of the Torkham border

(d) A request by the UN

Explanation: Following a deadly attack on a security checkpost in Mir Ali that killed seven Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan conducted targeted airstrikes against TTP hideouts in Khost and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan on March 18, 2024. This marked a significant escalation and a clear message to the Kabul authorities regarding cross-border militancy.

#980

Which international boundary line is frequently the site of 'unprovoked firing' incidents between Pak-Afghan forces in 2024-2025?

(a) The Radcliffe Line

(b) The Durand Line

(c) The Line of Control

(d) The McMahon Line

Explanation: Border skirmishes at Torkham and Chaman have become more frequent in recent years. These clashes often erupt over the construction of security posts or fencing by Pakistan, which the Afghan Taliban forces occasionally contest based on their non-recognition of the border.

July 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions