#1361

What is the primary diplomatic challenge Pakistan faces regarding the interim Afghan government as of late 2025?

(a) Dispute over transit trade fees

(b) Cross-border terrorism and TTP safe havens

(c) Water sharing of the Kunar river

(d) Recognition of the Taliban cabinet

Explanation: The most persistent challenge in Pak-Afghan relations is the surge in cross-border attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Despite repeated high-level engagements, the Afghan interim government's reluctance to take decisive action against these safe havens remains a major source of friction and a priority for Pakistan's national security and foreign policy.

#1362

Following the 'Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar' in January 2024, what is the current status of Pakistan-Iran diplomatic relations?

(a) Full suspension of ties

(b) Restored and focused on border security coordination

(c) A state of undeclared war

(d) Iran has joined the SCO

Explanation: After a brief military exchange in January 2024 targeting militant hideouts, both nations moved quickly to de-escalate. By late 2025, the focus has shifted toward institutionalizing border security through a joint commission and reviving the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, though the latter remains hindered by international sanctions.

#1363

Pakistan was elected to which prestigious body for the 2025-2026 term, enhancing its voice on global security issues?

(a) UN Human Rights Council

(b) Non-permanent member of the UN Security Council

(c) President of the General Assembly

(d) Head of the IMF

Explanation: In June 2024, Pakistan secured a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. This platform allows Pakistan to advocate for its stance on Kashmir, international counter-terrorism, and the rights of the Global South, particularly regarding climate justice.

#1364

In 2024-2025, Pakistan's relationship with India remained 'frozen' primarily due to which condition set by Islamabad?

(a) The return of Junagadh

(b) The restoration of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir

(c) A formal apology for the 1971 war

(d) An increase in water flow in the Ravi river

Explanation: Pakistan has maintained that no formal bilateral dialogue or trade can resume with India until New Delhi revisits its August 5, 2019 decision that revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. India's refusal to discuss this internal matter has led to a prolonged diplomatic stalemate.

#1365

Which specific issue regarding the 'Indus Waters Treaty' became a point of diplomatic tension with India in 2023-2025?

(a) India's attempt to modify the treaty unilaterally

(b) Pakistan's decision to leave the treaty

(c) The construction of a dam on the Kabul river

(d) The pollution of the Arabian Sea

Explanation: In 2023, India issued a notice to Pakistan seeking to 'modify' the 1960 treaty following disputes over the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. Pakistan views any unilateral modification as a threat to its water security, and the matter is currently being debated in the Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

#1366

The launch of which multi-mission satellite in 2025 was a milestone in Pak-China space cooperation?

(a) Badr-1

(b) PakSat-MM1

(c) Paksat-1R

(d) PRSS-1

Explanation: PakSat-MM1 was launched in 2025 to boost Pakistan's digital infrastructure. This collaboration with China is part of a broader foreign policy strategy to modernize technology and communication through strategic partnerships, reducing reliance on Western satellite providers.

#1367

The implementation of which digital infrastructure in 2024-2025 caused international and domestic concern regarding Pakistan's digital freedom?

(a) 5G technology

(b) National Firewall for content filtering

(c) A new E-Passport system

(d) Blockchain banking

Explanation: The installation of a 'National Firewall' to monitor and filter internet traffic sparked concerns from the IT industry, foreign tech giants, and digital rights groups. The resulting internet slowdowns were seen as a challenge to Pakistan's 'Look Digital' foreign policy goals and its attractiveness for global freelancers.

#1368

What is the primary challenge to the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline as of late 2025?

(a) Lack of gas in Iran

(b) US sanctions and the threat of international penalties

(c) Technical failure of the pipes

(d) Opposition from China

Explanation: While Iran has completed its side of the pipeline, Pakistan faces the threat of heavy US sanctions if it proceeds. Simultaneously, Iran has threatened to take Pakistan to international arbitration for failing to complete its portion, leaving Islamabad in a difficult diplomatic and legal 'catch-22'.

#1369

Pakistan's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2024-2025 has been characterized by:

(a) Full support for Russia

(b) Principled neutrality and abstention from UN resolutions condemning Russia

(c) Joining the NATO coalition

(d) Cutting all ties with Ukraine

Explanation: Pakistan has maintained a neutral stance, calling for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. While it has abstained from UN votes against Russia, it has continued to engage with both Moscow (for wheat and oil) and Kyiv (for defense and trade), reflecting a pragmatic 'bilateralist' approach.

#1370

Which city was ranked as South Asia's cleanest city in 2025, boosting Pakistan's international image in urban diplomacy?

(a) Lahore

(b) Islamabad

(c) Karachi

(d) Quetta

Explanation: Islamabad was declared the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025 by various environmental monitoring agencies. This achievement has been used by the government to project a 'Green Pakistan' image to international climate forums and potential investors.

#1371

Which country remains Pakistan's largest single-country export destination as of late 2025?

(a) China

(b) United States

(c) United Kingdom

(d) Germany

Explanation: Despite being a close strategic partner of China, Pakistan's economy remains heavily reliant on the US market, particularly for its textile and leather exports. Maintaining this market share while managing political differences with Washington is a core economic diplomacy challenge.

#1372

In 2025, Pakistan and ______ signed a 'Joint Maritime Security' agreement to combat piracy and smuggling in the Arabian Sea.

(a) India

(b) Iran

(c) Saudi Arabia

(d) China

Explanation: Given the shared maritime border and the common threat of narcotics smuggling and piracy, Pakistan and Iran have stepped up maritime cooperation. This is part of the de-escalation and normalization process after the January 2024 border tensions.

#1373

Which international body's President visited Pakistan in early 2025 to discuss the 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs)?

(a) World Bank

(b) UN General Assembly

(c) NATO

(d) Interpol

Explanation: The President of the UNGA visited Pakistan to acknowledge its progress on SDGs and its role in UN peacekeeping. Pakistan is consistently among the top troop contributors to UN missions, which is a major component of its 'soft power' foreign policy.

#1374

A major security challenge to CPEC Phase II in 2024-2025 has been:

(a) The lack of electricity

(b) Terrorist attacks on Chinese engineers and projects by BLA and TTP

(c) China's bankruptcy

(d) India joining CPEC

Explanation: Targeted attacks on Chinese nationals, such as the Besham attack in March 2024, have led Beijing to demand stricter security measures. Ensuring the safety of foreign workers is a critical foreign policy and security challenge for the Pakistani state.

#1375

In 2025, Pakistan's response to the 'Middle East Crisis' (Palestine/Lebanon) was characterized by:

(a) Neutrality

(b) Strong advocacy for a two-state solution and sending humanitarian aid

(c) Banning all protests

(d) Recognizing Israel

Explanation: Pakistan continues to maintain a principled stand on Palestine, refusing to recognize Israel and demanding a return to the 1967 borders. In 2024-2025, it sent multiple batches of aid to Gaza and Lebanon, reflecting its commitment to the OIC's collective stance.

#1376

A major diplomatic challenge for Pakistan at the UN in 2025 is countering the narrative on:

(a) Climate change

(b) Terrorism and its alleged links to state actors, often pushed by India

(c) Space debris

(d) The use of Urdu

Explanation: Pakistan faces a constant diplomatic battle at the UN to counter India's efforts to label it a 'sponsor of terrorism.' Pakistan's response focuses on highlighting its own sacrifices in the War on Terror and the human rights situation in Kashmir.

#1377

In 2024-2025, which international issue saw Pakistan and the United States working in close alignment?

(a) CPEC development

(b) Counter-terrorism cooperation against IS-K (Daesh)

(c) Relationship with Russia

(d) Banning the IMF

Explanation: Both Washington and Islamabad view the rise of Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) in Afghanistan as a shared threat. This intelligence and security coordination remains a vital pillar of the Pak-US relationship, even as they disagree on other strategic issues.

#1378

What is the status of the 'CPEC' Phase II as of late 2025?

(a) It has been cancelled

(b) It has shifted focus to industrialization, agriculture, and high-tech cooperation

(c) It is only about building roads now

(d) It has been merged with the US Marshall Plan

Explanation: While Phase I was about infrastructure and energy, Phase II (started in 2021-22) is about 'Special Economic Zones' (SEZs), agricultural modernization, and technology transfer to make Pakistan's economy more export-oriented.

#1379

The 'Niazi' vs. the State struggle in the media in 2024-2025 has affected Pakistan's foreign policy by:

(a) Increasing exports

(b) Creating concerns among Western partners regarding political stability and human rights

(c) Joining the G7

(d) Ending the debt

Explanation: Internal political polarization often spills over into the foreign policy domain. High-profile cases, arrests, and the crackdown on political workers have led to inquiries and statements from the US State Department and the EU, complicating diplomatic engagement.

#1380

Pakistan's 'Economic Diplomacy' doctrine of 2024-2025 is summarized as shifting from:

(a) War to Peace

(b) Geopolitics to Geoeconomics

(c) East to West

(d) Agriculture to Industry only

Explanation: The 'Geoeconomic' shift means that Pakistan wants to be seen as a land-bridge and an economic partner rather than a security surrogate. This policy aims to leverage Pakistan's location for transit, trade, and regional connectivity to ensure long-term national security.

January 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions