#1761

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.

#1762

In 2025, which sector did the Shahbaz government prioritize for 'Digital Transformation' through the newly established Digital Infrastructure Fund?

(a) Heavy Industry

(b) SMEs and IT Exports

(c) Luxury Real Estate

(d) Traditional Crafts

Explanation: Through 2024-2025, the government placed a heavy focus on Information Technology and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). By providing specialized technology zones and fiscal incentives, the aim was to increase IT exports to over $5 billion and digitize government procurement processes to ensure transparency.

#1763

Which Pakistani airline was the primary target of the government's 'Privatization' drive in late 2024 and 2025?

(a) Airblue

(b) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)

(c) Serene Air

(d) AirSial

Explanation: The privatization of PIA was a key condition of the IMF program and a central economic policy of the Shahbaz Sharif government in 2024-2025. The process involved segregating the airline's legacy debts into a separate holding company to make the core flight operations attractive to private investors and international airlines.

#1764

The 'Lining of Watercourses' project in 2025 was aimed at saving water in which primary sector?

(a) Industrial Manufacturing

(b) Agriculture

(c) Urban Housing

(d) Mining

Explanation: To combat water scarcity and increase agricultural productivity, the government launched a massive project for the concrete lining of earthen watercourses across Pakistan. This initiative aims to save millions of acre-feet (MAF) of water lost to seepage, directly benefiting small-scale farmers.

#1765

In 2025, the 'Besham' incident led to enhanced security protocols for which specific group of people in Pakistan?

(a) Foreign tourists

(b) Chinese engineers and workers

(c) Judges

(d) Media persons

Explanation: Following a terrorist attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers in Besham in March 2024, the government established a more rigorous multi-layered security system. This includes dedicated units of the Army and Rangers to protect all CPEC and non-CPEC projects involving Chinese nationals.

#1766

The 'E-Office' initiative was fully implemented across federal ministries in 2024-2025 to promote:

(a) Paperless governance and transparency

(b) Foreign language learning

(c) Social media use

(d) Evening shifts

Explanation: The E-Office system was designed to eliminate the 'red-tape' culture by digitizing file movements and approvals. By 2025, all federal ministries were transitioned to this system, significantly reducing delays and creating a digital trail for accountability.

#1767

Which Pakistani city was declared as the 'IT Hub' for the development of new Software Technology Parks in 2025?

(a) Karachi

(b) Lahore

(c) Islamabad

(d) Multan

Explanation: Islamabad saw the fastest growth in IT infrastructure during the Shahbaz government. In 2025, the inauguration of new Software Technology Parks and the provision of high-speed connectivity aimed to attract international tech giants and support the growing freelance community.

#1768

Which international body's 'GSP Plus' status for Pakistan was extended through 2025, benefiting the textile sector?

(a) United Nations

(b) European Union (EU)

(c) World Trade Organization (WTO)

(d) ASEAN

Explanation: The EU's GSP Plus status allows Pakistan duty-free access for its exports to the European market. The government successfully lobbied for its continuation through 2025, which is critical for the textile industry that accounts for nearly 60% of Pakistan's total exports.

#1769

The 'Benazir Income Support Programme' (BISP) was expanded in 2025 to include which new category of assistance?

(a) Electric bike subsidies

(b) Dynamic Registry for including deserving families who were previously left out

(c) Free international travel

(d) Stock market training

Explanation: In 2024-2025, the government launched the BISP 'Dynamic Registry' to update the socio-economic data of households. This allowed for the inclusion of millions of more deserving families and the implementation of a more accurate targeting system for cash transfers and educational stipends.

#1770

The 'Special Technology Zones Authority' (STZA) expanded its footprint in 2025 by providing special fiscal incentives to which industry?

(a) Automobile

(b) Semiconductors and chip design

(c) Textile

(d) Steel

Explanation: As part of the 'Digital Pakistan' push in 2025, the government offered 10-year tax holidays to companies setting up semiconductor design and hardware manufacturing units within technology zones, aiming to move Pakistan up the global value chain.

#1771

Which Pakistani province announced its first-ever 'Deficit-Free' budget in 2024-2025 through radical fiscal reforms?

(a) Sindh

(b) Punjab

(c) KPK

(d) None of the above

Explanation: The Punjab government, under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, presented a budget for 2024-2025 that focused on revenue mobilization without increasing the deficit. The budget prioritized digital health, education, and the 'Kisan Card' scheme for agricultural growth.

#1772

In 2025, Pakistan successfully achieved its 'Export Target' for which product to the Chinese market under the second phase of CPFTA?

(a) Raw Cotton

(b) Cooked Meat and Cherries

(c) Luxury Carpets

(d) Sports Cars

Explanation: Under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) Phase II, the government successfully negotiated sanitary and phytosanitary protocols. In 2024-2025, Pakistan began exporting large quantities of cooked beef and high-quality cherries to China, diversifying its export basket.

#1773

In 2025, which international rating agency upgraded Pakistan's 'Economic Outlook' from stable to positive following the IMF deal?

(a) Moody's

(b) Fitch

(c) S&P Global

(d) All of the above

Explanation: Following the approval of the $7 billion IMF program and signs of macroeconomic stabilization (such as falling inflation and stable exchange rates), all three major global rating agencies upgraded Pakistan's credit rating and outlook in late 2024 and 2025.

#1774

In 2025, what was the primary focus of the government's 'Educational Emergency' declared in federal areas?

(a) Building private universities

(b) Enrolling Out-of-School Children (OOSC) and providing lunch programs

(c) Changing the uniform

(d) Selling school land

Explanation: The government launched a nationwide drive to enroll the estimated 26 million children currently out of school. In federal areas, this included providing free meals and digital labs to attract students back to public schools and improve literacy rates by 2026.

#1775

The Raymond Davis incident (January 2011) involved the killing of two Pakistanis in Lahore by:

(a) An Indian spy

(b) A CIA contractor

(c) A British diplomat

(d) A local robber

Explanation: Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor, shot and killed two men in Lahore, claiming self-defense. The incident caused a major diplomatic crisis. He was eventually released after the families of the deceased were paid 'Diyat' (blood money) under the Shariat law.

#1776

The 2008 General Elections were postponed from January to February due to:

(a) The assassination of Benazir Bhutto

(b) A massive earthquake

(c) A military coup

(d) Floods

Explanation: Following the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, the Election Commission postponed the polls to February 18, 2008, to allow for a period of national mourning and to manage the resulting unrest.

#1777

What is the significance of 'Freelancing' in Pakistan's services sector as of 2025?

(a) Pakistan ranks 4th globally in terms of growth in the freelance market

(b) It is the largest source of domestic tax

(c) It is only limited to the city of Islamabad

(d) It has no impact on foreign exchange

Explanation: Pakistan has emerged as a global powerhouse in freelancing, consistently ranking among the top 5 countries on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Freelancers contribute significantly to the service sector by bringing in millions of dollars in foreign exchange through software development, design, and content creation.

#1778

What is the '5G' status in Pakistan as of 2025?

(a) Already fully operational in all villages

(b) Testing phase complete, with auction and rollout planned for major cities

(c) Banned by the government

(d) Pakistan has decided to stick to 2G only

Explanation: Pakistan has successfully completed 5G trials. The government and PTA are working on the spectrum auction to roll out 5G in major urban centers, which is expected to revolutionize high-speed data services and the IoT ecosystem.

#1779

What was the name of the diplomatic conference co-hosted by Pakistan and the UN in Geneva in January 2023?

(a) Climate Finance Summit

(b) International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan

(c) Geneva Trade Accord

(d) Pakistan Investment Forum

Explanation: In January 2023, Pakistan and the United Nations co-hosted the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva. The conference was highly successful for the PDM government, as international donors pledged over $9 billion to help the country recover from the devastating 2022 floods.

#1780

Who serves as the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan as of 2025, having previously served as the Prime Minister?

(a) Sadiq Sanjrani

(b) Yousaf Raza Gillani

(c) Raza Rabbani

(d) Nayyar Bukhari

Explanation: Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, a senior leader of the PPP and former Prime Minister (2008-2012), was elected unopposed as the Chairman of the Senate in April 2024. His role is to preside over the upper house of parliament, ensuring the representation of provincial interests in the federal legislative process.

January 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions