#1401

Which city was declare as South Asia's cleanest city in 2025, a point of pride discussed during Pak-China urban planning forums?

(a) Islamabad

(b) Lahore

(c) Peshawar

(d) Karachi

Explanation: Islamabad was ranked as the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025. This achievement has been highlighted in regional forums as a result of robust waste management and environmental policies, some of which involved technical exchange with Chinese urban experts.

#1402

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.

#1403

In 2025, Pakistan and China agreed to cooperate on which new high-tech sector?

(a) Time travel

(b) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing

(c) Building wooden ships

(d) Printing newspapers only

Explanation: Reflecting modern trends, the 2024-2025 Pak-China digital agenda includes cooperation in AI, big data, and quantum computing. This is intended to modernize Pakistan's IT sector and governance through Chinese expertise.

#1404

In 2025, which city hosted the 'Pak-China Digital Investment Summit'?

(a) Beijing

(b) Islamabad

(c) Shenzhen

(d) Guangzhou

Explanation: Islamabad hosted the Digital Investment Summit in early 2025. The event brought together hundreds of tech startups and Chinese venture capitalists to explore opportunities in Pakistan's growing digital economy.

#1405

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.

#1406

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.

#1407

What is Pakistan's official stance on the recognition of the Taliban-led interim government as of late 2025?

(a) Pakistan was the first to recognize it

(b) Pakistan follows a 'regional consensus' approach and has not yet granted formal recognition

(c) Pakistan has officially banned all contact with the Taliban

(d) Pakistan has recognized it as a provincial government only

Explanation: While Pakistan maintains a functional relationship and has an active diplomatic mission in Kabul, it has not officially recognized the Taliban government. Islamabad maintains that recognition should come through a collective regional and international consensus, linked to issues like inclusive governance and counter-terrorism.

#1408

Which multi-lateral forum hosted by Pakistan in December 2021 was dedicated to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan?

(a) SAARC Summit

(b) Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers

(c) G20 Meeting

(d) SCO Defense Ministers Meet

Explanation: Pakistan hosted the emergency OIC meeting in Islamabad to mobilize international support and prevent an economic collapse in Afghanistan following the freezing of its foreign assets. The meeting resulted in the establishment of a Humanitarian Trust Fund under the Islamic Development Bank.

#1409

In the current 2025 context, the SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council) of Pakistan views Afghanistan as:

(a) A military rival only

(b) A key transit partner for the 'Central Asian Connectivity' vision

(c) A source of cheap electricity

(d) A non-factor in economic plans

Explanation: Under its geo-economic framework, the SIFC prioritizes the 'Transit and Connectivity' pillar. Facilitating trade with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan through Afghanistan is seen as essential for making Pakistan a regional trade hub, provided security challenges are managed.

#1410

In 2025, which city in Pakistan continues to host the largest number of Afghan refugees globally?

(a) Karachi

(b) Peshawar

(c) Quetta

(d) Islamabad

Explanation: Peshawar and its surrounding districts have historically hosted the highest concentration of Afghan refugees since 1979. This has significantly influenced the city's demographics, culture, and economy, making it the hub of the Afghan diaspora in Pakistan.

#1411

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.

#1412

Who is currently serving as the 'Special Representative for Afghanistan' from Pakistan (as of 2025)?

(a) Zalmay Khalilzad

(b) Asif Durrani

(c) Mohammad Sadiq

(d) Munir Akram

Explanation: Ambassador (R) Asif Durrani was appointed as the Special Representative in May 2023. His role is to manage the complex diplomatic and security dialogue with the Afghan interim government and represent Pakistan in international forums related to Afghanistan.

#1413

In early 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a 'Joint Border Mechanism' to:

(a) Declare the border open for all

(b) Resolve local disputes and prevent military escalations at the border

(c) Jointly rule the tribal areas

(d) Build a joint space station

Explanation: To prevent frequent border closures that hurt trade and civilians, both sides have attempted to establish local-level coordination committees. This 'Joint Border Mechanism' aims to ensure that minor incidents do not turn into full-scale military standoffs.

#1414

In 2025, Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghanistan have discussed cooperation in which mineral sector?

(a) Gold

(b) Coal and Lithium

(c) Silver

(d) Emeralds

Explanation: Afghanistan has vast untapped mineral wealth. Pakistan has become a major buyer of Afghan coal to fuel its power plants, and there have been preliminary discussions regarding investment and technology transfer in the lithium and copper mining sectors.

#1415

What is the primary diplomatic stance shared by Pakistan and Iran regarding the conflict in Gaza and Palestine in 2024-2025?

(a) Support for Israel's security

(b) Strong advocacy for an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution

(c) Complete neutrality

(d) Joining the NATO response

Explanation: Both Islamabad and Tehran have consistently used international forums like the UN and OIC to condemn the military actions in Gaza. They advocate for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, which serves as a significant point of convergence in their respective foreign policies.

#1416

In the context of 2025, 'Barter Trade' between Pakistan and Iran has been proposed to overcome which major hurdle?

(a) Language barriers

(b) The lack of banking channels due to international sanctions

(c) Religious differences

(d) The lack of trucks

Explanation: Because traditional banking transactions with Iran are restricted by US and international sanctions, Pakistan has explored 'Barter Trade' (exchanging goods like Pakistani rice for Iranian petroleum or electricity). This mechanism allows both countries to maintain economic ties without triggering financial penalties.

#1417

In 2025, which city hosted the 22nd session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC)?

(a) Lahore

(b) Islamabad

(c) Tehran

(d) Karachi

Explanation: The JEC is the primary mechanism for discussing economic and trade cooperation. Recent sessions in Tehran have focused on removing non-tariff barriers, finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and implementing the border market strategy to boost bilateral commerce.

#1418

In the current 2024-2025 period, what is the primary export of Pakistan to Iran?

(a) Crude oil

(b) Rice, Textiles, and Fruits (like Mangoes)

(c) Nuclear technology

(d) Heavy machinery

Explanation: Agriculture forms the backbone of Pakistan's exports to Iran. Rice is the single largest item, and there is high demand for Pakistani textiles and seasonal fruits. In return, Pakistan primarily imports electricity, gas, and chemical products from Iran.

#1419

What is the status of the 'Free Trade Agreement' (FTA) between Pakistan and Iran as of late 2025?

(a) It was cancelled in 2020

(b) It is in the final stages of negotiation following the 2024 Presidential visit

(c) Pakistan has banned all trade

(d) It only applies to Balochistan

Explanation: Following President Raisi's visit in 2024, both nations fast-tracked the draft of the FTA. The goal is to remove tariff barriers and provide a legal framework for the $10 billion trade target, although banking channel limitations remain a structural hurdle.

#1420

In 2025, Pakistan and Iran agreed to cooperate on which new high-tech sector?