#1261

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.

#1262

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.

#1263

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.

#1264

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.

#1265

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.

#1266

In the 2024-2025 list of civil awards, several 'Polio Workers' were honored for their service. Which award is typically given to front-line workers for their dedication?

(a) Nishan-e-Pakistan

(b) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz / Tamgha-e-Shujaat

(c) Order of Quaid-e-Azam

(d) None of the above

Explanation: Front-line health workers, including polio vaccinators who often work in high-risk areas, have been increasingly recognized in the 2024-2025 award cycles. They are typically conferred with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (for excellence) or Tamgha-e-Shujaat (if they have faced life-threatening situations), honoring their sacrifice for national health.

#1267

Which female mountaineer from Pakistan was recognized with a civil award in 2023-2024 for her record-breaking climbs?

(a) Samina Baig

(b) Naila Kiani

(c) Selena Khawaja

(d) Uzma Yusuf

Explanation: Naila Kiani was honored with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of her exceptional achievements in mountaineering. She became the first Pakistani woman to climb multiple 8,000-meter peaks in a single season, including K2 and Mount Everest, significantly boosting the image of Pakistani sports globally.

#1268

In 2024, which Turkish official was honored with a high civil award for enhancing defense ties between Pakistan and Turkey?

(a) Hakan Fidan

(b) Haluk Bayraktar

(c) Numan Kurtulmuş

(d) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

Explanation: Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of Baykar (the Turkish company that produces the TB2 and Akıncı drones), has been honored with civil awards (including the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and others) by Pakistan. This recognizes his contribution to the modernization of the Pakistan Air Force and the strengthening of the strategic defense alliance.

#1269

Which Pakistani actor/actress received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024, becoming one of the most decorated artists in the country?

(a) Mahira Khan

(b) Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

(c) Sajal Aly

(d) Bilal Abbas

Explanation: Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was conferred with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024. This award recognizes his global contribution to Qawwali and playback singing, continuing the legacy of the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan school of music and promoting Pakistani culture internationally.

#1270

Which award was given to the brave citizen who rescued several children during the 'Battagram Chairlift' incident in 2023-2024?

(a) Nishan-e-Pakistan

(b) Tamgha-e-Shujaat

(c) Pride of Performance

(d) Sitara-e-Imtiaz

Explanation: The local heroes and zipline experts who risked their lives to rescue children trapped in a dangling chairlift in Battagram were honored with the Tamgha-e-Shujaat. This recognized their manual rescue efforts in extremely dangerous conditions when military helicopters could not complete the mission due to nightfall and winds.

#1271

In 2024-2025, which late social worker's husband received an award on her behalf for her service to orphans?

(a) Abdul Sattar Edhi

(b) Bilquis Edhi (Posthumous)

(c) Dr. Ruth Pfau

(d) Parveen Rehman

Explanation: Bilquis Edhi, often called the 'Mother of Pakistan', has been honored posthumously in recent cycles (2022-2024) with various high civilian honors, including the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, for her decades of service to abandoned infants and orphans through the Edhi Foundation.

#1272

In 2025, which group of people received special recognition in civil awards for their role during the 2022 and 2024 floods?

(a) Only politicians

(b) Rescue 1122 workers and volunteer NGOs

(c) Bank managers

(d) Cricket umpires

Explanation: Recognizing the bravery and service during natural disasters, the 2024-2025 award lists highlighted the contributions of Rescue 1122 personnel and several NGO workers who played a front-line role in saving lives and distributing relief during catastrophic floods.

#1273

In 2024, which foreign journalist was honored for 'promoting Pakistan's soft image' and tourism?

(a) Cynthia Ritchie

(b) Various travel vloggers/journalists (Collective recognition)

(c) Christiane Amanpour

(d) Jeremy Paxman

Explanation: In recent years, the government has used civil awards (like the Tamgha-e-Pakistan) to honor international vloggers and journalists who have highlighted Pakistan's tourism potential and cultural heritage, as part of its 'Soft Power' diplomacy.

#1274

Which religious leader and scholar received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 2024-2025 for his services to interfaith harmony and education?

(a) Maulana Tariq Jamil

(b) Mufti Taqi Usmani

(c) Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri

(d) Allama Sajid Naqvi

Explanation: Mufti Taqi Usmani, a world-renowned scholar and expert in Islamic finance, has been honored with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. This recognizes his academic brilliance and his role in promoting Pakistan's image in the global Muslim community through his writings and educational work.

#1275

Which Pakistani writer and poet received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024 for his contribution to Urdu literature?

(a) Anwar Maqsood

(b) Iftikhar Arif

(c) Amjad Islam Amjad (Posthumous)

(d) Kishwar Naheed

Explanation: Iftikhar Arif, a legendary poet and scholar, was honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024. He has served as the head of the Pakistan Academy of Letters and the National Language Authority, making immense contributions to the preservation of Urdu literature.

#1276

Which award was given to the team of engineers who successfully launched Pakistan's first moon mission 'iCube-Qamar' in 2024?

(a) Collective Pride of Performance / Sitara-e-Imtiaz

(b) Nishan-e-Pakistan

(c) Order of Shujaat

(d) Order of Khidmat

Explanation: The engineers from the Institute of Space Technology (IST) and SUPARCO were recognized in the 2024-2025 honors list. The success of the lunar orbiter was hailed as a major scientific milestone, earning the leads of the project high-level civilian decorations.

#1277

Which Pakistani singer received the Pride of Performance in 2024 for promoting 'Sufi' music globally?

(a) Atif Aslam

(b) Sanam Marvi

(c) Ali Zafar

(d) Hadiqa Kiani

Explanation: Sanam Marvi was recognized with the Pride of Performance for her mastery of Sufi music and her role in taking the message of Sufi saints to international audiences. The award highlights the state's support for cultural heritage and the 'Sufi' identity of Pakistan.

#1278

In the context of 2024-2025, which medal is awarded to officers who successfully complete 10 years of meritorious service?

(a) Tamgha-e-Azm

(b) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military)

(c) Tamgha-e-Diffa

(d) Tamgha-e-Liaqat

Explanation: Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) is the basic tier of the Order of Imtiaz. For military personnel, it is awarded to recognize a decade or more of distinguished service. As officers progress, they may be eligible for Sitara-e-Imtiaz and eventually Hilal-e-Imtiaz based on their rank and achievements.

#1279

Which tragic event is remembered on October 8 in Pakistan?

(a) The 1965 ceasefire

(b) The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake

(c) The death of Allama Iqbal

(d) The launch of the Zarb-e-Azb operation

Explanation: October 8 is remembered as the anniversary of the 2005 earthquake that devastated parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The disaster resulted in over 73,000 deaths. The day is observed as a National Disaster Awareness Day to honor the victims and to recognize the heroic relief efforts by the military and civilian organizations.

#1280

Which province of Pakistan has the highest 'Literacy Rate' according to census-linked surveys in 2024-2025?

(a) Sindh

(b) Punjab

(c) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

(d) Balochistan

Explanation: Punjab consistently records the highest literacy rate among the provinces (around 66%). Literacy is a key indicator analyzed alongside population growth, as there is a direct correlation between higher literacy (especially female education) and lower population growth rates.

October 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions