October 2024 Edition
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October 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#1361
The 'Nadirra' (NADRA) system introduced which new digital feature in 2024 to facilitate Overseas Pakistanis?
(a) Digital Power of Attorney
(b) Online Marriage Registration
(c) Digital Inheritance Certificate
(d) All of the above
Explanation: NADRA launched several digital portals in 2024 to allow Overseas Pakistanis to manage legal and administrative tasks without visiting a consulate. This included the remote verification of inheritance and power of attorney, significantly easing the administrative burden on the diaspora.
#1362
Which project aimed to provide 'Free Health Insurance' to all citizens of Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2024?
(a) Ehsaas Health
(b) Sehat Sahulat Program (Federal)
(c) PM Health Link
(d) Aman Card
Explanation: The federal government continued and expanded the Sehat Sahulat Program for the federal capital and territories under its jurisdiction. This provides up to $1$ million PKR coverage for hospitalization, ensuring that the poorest citizens have access to quality private healthcare.
#1363
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.
#1364
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.
#1365
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.
#1366
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.
#1367
In October 2021, a major administrative friction occurred between the PM Office and the Military over the appointment of the:
(a) Chief of Army Staff
(b) Director General of ISI
(c) Chief of Naval Staff
(d) Chairman Joint Chiefs
Explanation: A significant standoff occurred in October 2021 regarding the notification of the new Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). While the military had announced the transfer of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed and the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, the PM Office delayed the formal notification, leading to weeks of speculation about a rift between the civil and military leadership.
#1368
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.
#1369
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.
#1370
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.
#1371
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.
#1372
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.
#1373
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.
#1374
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.
#1375
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.
#1376
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.
#1377
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.
#1378
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.
#1379
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.
#1380
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.