May 2024 Edition

May 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions

Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.

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#1661

The 'Single National Curriculum' was rebranded and updated by the Shahbaz government in 2024 under what name?

(a) National Education Standards
(b) National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
(c) Federal Core Curriculum
(d) Integrated Learning Model
Explanation: The government revised the previous curriculum model to make it more flexible and modern. The NCF 2024 focuses on critical thinking, STEM education, and local languages while ensuring a baseline standard of quality across all types of schools in the federal areas.
#1662

The 'National Clean Air Policy' approved in 2024 was primarily aimed at tackling the 'Smog' crisis in which province?

(a) Sindh
(b) Punjab
(c) Balochistan
(d) KPK
Explanation: The policy was introduced to combat the recurring toxic smog in Lahore and other cities. It involves stricter controls on industrial emissions, the promotion of Euro-5/6 fuels, and a crackdown on crop residue burning, with a focus on regional cooperation with India.
#1663

Which specialized 'Investment Desk' was established by the SIFC in 2024 specifically for Saudi Arabian investors?

(a) The Riyal Hub
(b) Saudi-Pakistan Investment Desk
(c) KSA Facilitation Center
(d) Gulf Gateway
Explanation: To manage the influx of interest from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other entities, a dedicated facilitation desk was created. This led to agreements on an oil refinery in Gwadar and mineral exploration in Balochistan during the 2024-2025 period.
#1664

Which Pakistani official represented the country at the COP29 climate summit in late 2024, advocating for 'Climate Finance'?

(a) PM Shahbaz Sharif
(b) The Climate Change Minister
(c) The Foreign Minister
(d) Both a and b
Explanation: At COP29, Pakistan played a leading role in the G77 plus China group, demanding that developed nations provide 'Loss and Damage' funds for countries like Pakistan that contribute minimally to global emissions but suffer the most from climate disasters.
#1665

In May 2013, the PPP government became the first to hand over power to a leader of which party?

(a) PTI
(b) PML-N
(c) PML-Q
(d) MQM
Explanation: After the 2013 General Elections, the PPP, which saw a significant reduction in its seats, gracefully transitioned power to Nawaz Sharif's PML-N, completing the first democratic cycle in Pakistan's history.
#1666

Which constitutional amendment, passed in May 2018, finalized the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

(a) 23rd Amendment
(b) 24th Amendment
(c) 25th Amendment
(d) 26th Amendment
Explanation: The 25th Amendment was a landmark piece of legislation passed in the final days of the PML-N government in May 2018. It abolished the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and merged the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the residents of tribal areas into the national legal and political mainstream.
#1667

Nawaz Sharif visited which country for the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2014?

(a) USA
(b) India
(c) China
(d) Turkey
Explanation: In a rare diplomatic gesture, Nawaz Sharif traveled to New Delhi in May 2014 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi. The visit was seen as an attempt to restart the stalled peace process and improve bilateral relations between the two nuclear neighbors.
#1668

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, what is the total share of the agriculture sector in Pakistan's GDP?

(a) 18.9%
(b) 21.2%
(c) 23.54%
(d) 25.1%
Explanation: The agriculture sector remains a vital component of Pakistan's economy. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, the sector's share in the national GDP was recorded at 23.54 percent, showing its significance as a primary driver of the economy despite climatic challenges.
#1669

What was the recorded growth rate of Pakistan's agriculture sector during the fiscal year 2024-25?

(a) 0.56%
(b) 1.55%
(c) 2.38%
(d) 4.22%
Explanation: In FY 2024-25, the agriculture sector in Pakistan grew by 0.56 percent. This modest growth was primarily driven by the livestock, forestry, and fisheries sub-sectors, which managed to offset declines observed in major crop yields.
#1670

Which sub-sector of agriculture contributed the most to the overall agricultural value added in FY 2024-25?

(a) Crops
(b) Livestock
(c) Fisheries
(d) Forestry
Explanation: Livestock is the largest sub-sector of agriculture in Pakistan, contributing approximately 63.60 percent to the agricultural value added and 14.97 percent to the national GDP in FY 2024-25. It has proven to be a resilient component of the rural economy.
#1671

What was the total production of wheat in Pakistan for the fiscal year 2024-25?

(a) 26.21 Million Tonnes
(b) 28.98 Million Tonnes
(c) 30.12 Million Tonnes
(d) 32.50 Million Tonnes
Explanation: Wheat production in Pakistan for FY 2024-25 was recorded at 28.98 million tonnes. Although a significant volume, it represented a decline compared to the previous year due to reduced cultivation area and unfavorable weather during the harvest cycle.
#1672

Which major crop experienced the sharpest decline in production during FY 2024-25?

(a) Rice
(b) Sugarcane
(c) Cotton
(d) Maize
Explanation: Cotton production suffered the most significant setback in FY 2024-25, declining by over 30 percent. The total production reached only 7.08 million bales, down from 10.22 million bales the previous year, primarily due to pest infestations and water issues.
#1673

Which sub-sector of agriculture recorded a growth of 1.42% in FY 2024-25?

(a) Forestry
(b) Fisheries
(c) Livestock
(d) Sugar industry
Explanation: The fisheries sector showed a steady growth of 1.42 percent in FY 2024-25. While it accounts for a small part of the GDP, it is a critical source of protein and provides livelihoods for coastal and inland fishing communities.
#1674

Approximately how many million bales of cotton were produced in Pakistan in FY 2024-25?

(a) 5.50 Million Bales
(b) 7.08 Million Bales
(c) 10.22 Million Bales
(d) 12.00 Million Bales
Explanation: Cotton production for FY 2024-25 reached 7.08 million bales. This was a sharp decline from the previous year's 10.22 million bales, attributed to high input costs and significant pest damage in the main growing areas.
#1675

Which of the following 'Other Crops' showed an 11.5% growth in production in FY 2024-25?

(a) Tobacco
(b) Potato
(c) Sunflower
(d) Canola
Explanation: Potato production grew significantly by 11.5 percent in FY 2024-25. It has become an essential cash crop for farmers in central Punjab, helping to diversify the crop sector away from traditional staples.
#1676

Which sub-sector of 'Other Crops' grew by 4.78% in FY 2024-25, helping the overall agricultural growth?

(a) Major Crops
(b) Minor Crops
(c) Industrial Crops
(d) Fiber Crops
Explanation: Minor crops (or 'Other Crops') like vegetables, pulses, and fruits grew by 4.78 percent. This growth was vital in supporting the sector while major crops like cotton and wheat faced production challenges.
#1677

What is the approximate share of coal-based power in Pakistan's total generation as of 2024-25?

(a) 5%
(b) 10%
(c) 18-20%
(d) 40%
Explanation: The share of coal has increased significantly over the last decade, now making up about 18-20% of the total generation. This shift was intended to move away from expensive imported oil toward more stable (though still environmentally controversial) base-load power.
#1678

Which international financial institution approved a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan in September 2024?

(a) World Bank
(b) Asian Development Bank
(c) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(d) Islamic Development Bank
Explanation: In September 2024, the IMF Executive Board approved a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan worth approximately $7 billion. This program was intended to support Pakistan's efforts to achieve macroeconomic stability, improve tax collection, and implement structural reforms in the energy sector following a period of high inflation and low foreign exchange reserves.
#1679

In 2024, Pakistan focused on 'Digitalization' of which government department to increase revenue?

(a) Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
(b) Ministry of Defense
(c) Postal Services
(d) Radio Pakistan
Explanation: The digitalization and restructuring of the FBR became a core priority in 2024. The goal was to use technology to document the informal economy, reduce human interaction to curb corruption, and broaden the tax base to meet the revenue targets set under the IMF program.
#1680

Which policy was introduced in 2024 to curb the 'Grey Market' of mobile phones and increase revenue?

(a) DIRBS (Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System)
(b) CPEC Phase II
(c) The 5G Auction
(d) Import ban on all electronics
Explanation: While DIRBS was introduced earlier, its strict implementation and integration with tax systems were ramped up in 2024. The system ensures that only duty-paid, legal mobile devices can function on local networks, which has significantly increased tax collection on mobile imports and supported the local assembly industry.