#1321

According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Pakistan is ranked at which position out of 146 countries?

(a) 120th

(b) 135th

(c) 145th

(d) 100th

Explanation: In the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Pakistan was ranked 145th out of 146 countries, highlighting significant challenges in achieving gender parity. The report evaluates four key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. While there has been progress in political representation, Pakistan continues to struggle with low female labor force participation and high educational disparities.

#1322

Which Pakistani mountaineer became the first woman from the country to climb Mount Everest and K2 in a single season (2023-2024 cycle)?

(a) Samina Baig

(b) Naila Kiani

(c) Selena Khawaja

(d) Uzma Yusuf

Explanation: Naila Kiani has emerged as a prominent figure in Pakistani sports. In 2023 and 2024, she achieved remarkable feats by becoming the first Pakistani woman to scale multiple 8,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest and K2, in very quick succession. Her achievements have brought international recognition to Pakistani female athletes and have inspired a new generation to take up adventure sports.

#1323

In the 2024-2025 context, what is the approximate percentage of female labor force participation in Pakistan?

(a) 10%

(b) 21% - 24%

(c) 45%

(d) 60%

Explanation: Female labor force participation in Pakistan remains relatively low, estimated at around 21% to 24% according to the latest Labor Force Surveys. This is due to various factors including cultural norms, lack of safe transport, and the high burden of unpaid domestic work. The government and private sector are currently working on 'Gender Inclusive' workplace policies to increase this participation to boost the national GDP.

#1324

The 26th Constitutional Amendment, passed in October 2024, has which implication for the judiciary that includes women?

(a) It bans women from becoming CJP

(b) It establishes constitutional benches which will include women judges based on seniority and merit

(c) It removes reserved seats

(d) It only applies to men

Explanation: The 26th Amendment introduced the concept of 'Constitutional Benches' in the Supreme Court. While it does not specifically mandate gender quotas, the inclusion of women judges like Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Musarrat Hilali in these specialized benches is expected based on their expertise and seniority, further cementing the role of women in the country's constitutional law.

#1325

In 2024, which Pakistani province introduced a 'Quota' for women in the allotment of government-owned agricultural land to promote rural empowerment?

(a) Sindh

(b) Punjab

(c) KPK

(d) Balochistan

Explanation: Under the recent agricultural reforms in 2024-2025, the Punjab government has prioritized rural women in the distribution of state land for corporate and small-scale farming. This initiative aims to provide land ownership to women, which is a critical factor in their economic and social independence in rural communities.

#1326

The 'Womens Empowerment Package' announced in 2024-2025 includes which major feature for working mothers?

(a) Banning them from work

(b) Mandatory Day Care Centers in all government and large private offices

(c) Reducing their salaries

(d) Free luxury cars

Explanation: To encourage female labor force participation, the government has moved to enforce laws requiring workplaces to have day-care facilities. In 2024-2025, several grants were provided to offices to establish these centers, ensuring that working mothers can continue their careers while their children are in a safe and nearby environment.

#1327

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.

#1328

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.

#1329

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.

#1330

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.

#1331

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.

#1332

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.

#1333

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.

#1334

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.

#1335

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.

#1336

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.

#1337

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.

#1338

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.

#1339

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.

#1340

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.

October 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions