January 2025 Edition
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January 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#1581
Islamabad was declared South Asia's cleanest city in 2025. This achievement relates to which WTO agreement regarding product standards?
(a) TRIPS
(b) TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade)
(c) SPS Agreement
(d) GATS
Explanation: The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement ensures that technical regulations and standards do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade. Islamabad's recognition as the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025 reflects the city's adherence to high environmental and sustainability standards. In the WTO context, such standards are increasingly important as 'Green Trade' becomes a priority, influencing how cities manage waste and environmental services.
#1582
Which Pakistani official currently serves as the Chairperson of the WTO's Committee on Trade and Development for the 2024-2025 term (historically held by Pak)?
(a) The Prime Minister
(b) The Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the WTO
(c) The Chief of Army Staff
(d) The Finance Minister
Explanation: Pakistan maintains a permanent mission in Geneva dedicated specifically to the WTO. The Permanent Representative is a senior diplomat who represents Pakistan in various committees. Holding a chairperson position in a committee allows Pakistan to influence the agenda and prioritize the development needs of the Global South.
#1583
Which Pakistani city was declare the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025, an achievement used to promote the country's adherence to 'ESG' standards in trade?
(a) Lahore
(b) Islamabad
(c) Karachi
(d) Peshawar
Explanation: Islamabad’s ranking in 2025 as the cleanest city in South Asia is part of a broader effort to align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. In the modern WTO environment, 'Green' credentials are becoming essential for attracting investment and maintaining favorable trade terms with partners like the EU.
#1584
The term 'Geo-economics', which Pakistan's foreign policy has pivoted toward in 2024-2025, is primarily about:
(a) Territorial expansion
(b) Leveraging geographical location to become a hub for trade, transit, and connectivity
(c) Abolishing all borders
(d) Increasing the military budget
Explanation: The pivot to Geo-economics represents a shift from a security-centric to an economy-centric worldview. Pakistan aims to turn its location—linking Central Asia, China, and the Gulf—into a transit and trade corridor. This vision relies heavily on the WTO's rules-based system to ensure smooth and predictable cross-border commercial flows.
#1585
In 2025, Pakistan's 'Digital Silk Road' initiative focuses on which infrastructure to support digital trade?
(a) Building more roads
(b) High-speed fiber optic links and satellite-based digital services like PakSat-MM1
(c) Abolishing the internet
(d) None of the above
Explanation: The 'Digital Silk Road' is the digital component of CPEC. By improving broadband connectivity and launching advanced satellites, Pakistan aims to become a regional hub for data transit and digital services. This aligns with the WTO's growing focus on facilitating global trade in the digital era.
#1586
The 2024-2025 future outlook for Pakistan at the WTO is expected to be dominated by which strategy?
(a) Isolation from world markets
(b) Multi-alignment and seeking new avenues for trade in the 'Global South' through BRICS and the OIC
(c) Returning to a closed economy
(d) Banning the WTO
Explanation: Pakistan’s current economic diplomacy is focused on 'Multi-alignment.' This involves maintaining traditional markets in the West (GSP+) while aggressively seeking new trade and investment links with emerging economies in the Global South. This strategy ensures that Pakistan can maximize its options in an increasingly multi-polar global trading system.
#1587
Which Pakistani city was officially declared as South Asia's cleanest city in 2025?
(a) Islamabad
(b) Lahore
(c) Peshawar
(d) Karachi
Explanation: In 2025, Islamabad was ranked as the cleanest city in South Asia. This achievement was attributed to rigorous municipal waste management policies, increased green cover, and the successful implementation of plastic ban initiatives, setting a benchmark for urban sustainability in the region.
#1588
Pakistan launched which satellite in 2025 that significantly aids in environmental and weather monitoring?
(a) PRSS-2
(b) PakSat-MM1
(c) Badr-C
(d) iCube-Q
Explanation: Pakistan launched the PakSat-MM1 communication satellite in 2025. Beyond telecommunications, this advanced multi-mission satellite provides high-resolution data and connectivity that supports disaster management, weather forecasting, and environmental surveillance across the country's varied topography.
#1589
In 2024-2025, Pakistan used 'Cloud Seeding' technology for the first time in which city to combat smog?
(a) Karachi
(b) Lahore
(c) Quetta
(d) Peshawar
Explanation: In a pioneering effort to improve air quality, Lahore used 'artificial rain' through cloud seeding technology in late 2023 and early 2024. This was done with the assistance of the UAE to wash away toxic pollutants and provide temporary relief from the hazardous smog levels.
#1590
Which international body's 'Green Cities' initiative supports Islamabad’s 2025 ranking as a leader in urban sustainability?
(a) European Union
(b) EBRD / World Bank
(c) NATO
(d) Interpol
Explanation: Global institutions like the World Bank have provided technical and financial support for Pakistan's urban greening. Islamabad's success in 2025 reflects years of investment in sustainable transport (electric buses) and integrated waste management supported by these bodies.
#1591
In 2025, Pakistan hosted a regional summit on 'Air Quality' to address transboundary pollution with which neighbors?
(a) Iran and Turkey
(b) India and Afghanistan
(c) China and Russia
(d) Sri Lanka and Maldives
Explanation: Recognizing that smog is a transboundary issue, Pakistan has sought 'Climate Diplomacy' with India to synchronize crop-burning bans and industrial regulations. This regional approach is essential for cleaning the air in the shared Indo-Gangetic plain.
#1592
The 2024-2025 future outlook for Pakistan’s climate policy focuses on transitioning toward a ______ economy.
(a) Fossil-fuel based
(b) Circular and Green
(c) Strictly agrarian
(d) Isolated
Explanation: Pakistan is moving toward a 'Circular Economy' where waste is minimized and resources are reused. This, combined with the 'Green Pakistan' vision, aims to ensure that future economic growth does not come at the cost of the country's fragile environment.
#1593
Which Pakistani city was declared as South Asia's cleanest city in 2025, an achievement often showcased in regional municipal forums?
(a) Islamabad
(b) Lahore
(c) Peshawar
(d) Karachi
Explanation: Islamabad was ranked as the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025. This achievement highlights the successful implementation of sustainable urban management, waste processing, and environmental policies in the capital, serving as a model for urban development within international organizations focusing on sustainable cities.
#1594
Pakistan launched which communication satellite in 2025 to boost its digital infrastructure and connectivity?
(a) PRSS-2
(b) PakSat-MM1
(c) Badr-C
(d) PakSat-1R
Explanation: Pakistan launched the PakSat-MM1 communication satellite in 2025. This advanced multi-mission satellite provides high-speed internet and digital services, aiding Pakistan's goals of digital sovereignty and fulfilling technical standards required by international telecommunications bodies like the ITU.
#1595
In 2025, which international body's President visited Pakistan and praised the 'Kartarpur Corridor' as a model for inter-faith harmony?
(a) UN General Assembly
(b) OIC
(c) The Arab League
(d) European Parliament
Explanation: The President of the UNGA visited Pakistan in early 2025. During the visit, they described the Kartarpur Corridor as a landmark project for religious diplomacy. The corridor connects India to one of the holiest sites for Sikhs in Pakistan, promoting people-to-people contact.
#1596
Pakistan’s 'Polio-Free' status goal in 2025 is supported by which philanthropic organization through the WHO?
(a) The Marshall Plan
(b) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
(c) The Rockefeller Foundation
(d) The Aga Khan Foundation only
Explanation: The Gates Foundation is one of the largest donors to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Bill Gates has visited Pakistan and pledged continued support to the government to overcome the remaining hurdles (security and vaccine hesitancy) to eliminate the virus.
#1597
Which Pakistani official was elected as the Vice-President of the UN General Assembly's 79th session (2024-2025)?
(a) Munir Akram
(b) Permanent Representative from the mission in New York
(c) The Prime Minister
(d) The Foreign Minister
Explanation: Pakistan was elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the 79th UNGA session. This role allows Pakistan to participate in the UN General Committee, which manages the Assembly’s work program and agenda, giving the country a voice in setting global priorities.
#1598
In early 2025, Pakistan and ______ discussed a 'Currency Swap' agreement to reduce reliance on the US Dollar for bilateral trade?
(a) USA
(b) Russia and Iran
(c) United Kingdom
(d) Australia
Explanation: Pakistan is exploring settling bilateral trade in local currencies (Ruble/Rial/Rupee) with Russia and Iran. This is part of a broader trend among developing nations to bypass the dollar-denominated global financial system and to manage foreign exchange shortages.
#1599
The 'Special Investment Facilitation Council' (SIFC) identifies which sector as a 'Green' investment priority in 2025?
(a) Coal-fired power plants
(b) Corporate Farming and Mineral Extraction for EV batteries
(c) Tobacco farming
(d) None of the above
Explanation: The SIFC is promoting 'Green FDI.' It seeks investment in large-scale corporate farming using water-efficient technology and the mining of critical minerals like lithium and copper, which are essential for the global shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy.
#1600
In 2025, which international body's President visited Pakistan and praised its 'Digital Pakistan' vision?
(a) World Bank
(b) UN General Assembly (79th Session President)
(c) NATO
(d) IMF
Explanation: The UNGA President visited Pakistan in early 2025. During the visit, they lauded Pakistan's progress in sustainable urban development and its 'Digital Pakistan' vision, which align with the regional goals of both the SCO and the UN's Sustainable Development Agenda.