September 2025 Edition
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September 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#1401
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.
#1402
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.
#1403
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.
#1404
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.
#1405
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.
#1406
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.
#1407
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.
#1408
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.
#1409
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.
#1410
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.
#1411
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.
#1412
In 2025, Pakistan and Iran agreed to cooperate on which new high-tech sector?
(a) Time travel
(b) Information Technology and Digital Economy
(c) Building wooden ships
(d) Printing newspapers only
Explanation: Reflecting modern trends, the 2024-2025 bilateral agenda includes cooperation in the IT sector. This involves sharing expertise in e-governance and explores the potential for joint tech startups, as both nations look to modernize their economies.
#1413
In early 2025, which city hosted the 'Pak-Iran Digital Investment Summit'?
(a) Beijing
(b) Islamabad
(c) Shenzhen
(d) Tehran
Explanation: Islamabad hosted the summit to explore venture capital and startup opportunities between the two nations. The event focused on leveraging the youth bulge in both countries to drive innovation in the digital sphere.
#1414
Which Pakistani official visited Tehran in early 2025 to discuss 'Azm-e-Istehkam' and regional security?
(a) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
(b) The Education Minister
(c) The Mayor of Lahore
(d) The head of NADRA
Explanation: High-level military-to-military engagement is a constant in the relationship. The COAS or senior military leadership frequently visits Tehran to coordinate on counter-terrorism and ensure that the border remains a bridge rather than a point of conflict.
#1415
What is the current status of the U.S. as a trading partner for Pakistan in the 2024-2025 fiscal period?
(a) It is the 5th largest partner
(b) It is the largest single-country export destination for Pakistan
(c) It has been replaced by China in all trade
(d) Trade has been suspended since 2021
Explanation: The United States remains Pakistan's largest single-country export market, particularly for textiles, leather, and IT services. Maintaining this economic link is a vital component of Pakistan's 'Geo-economic' strategy, even as the two nations navigate strategic differences over regional security.
#1416
In September 2024, the IMF Executive Board approved a $7 billion program for Pakistan. The U.S. role in this process is critical because:
(a) The U.S. is the largest shareholder in the IMF
(b) The U.S. prints the IMF currency
(c) Only the U.S. can sign the documents
(d) The IMF is located in Islamabad
Explanation: As the largest shareholder in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), U.S. support is essential for any country seeking an EFF or Stand-By Arrangement. Pakistan's diplomatic engagement with Washington is often focused on securing favorable conditions and timely approvals for these financial bailouts.
#1417
The 'Special Investment Facilitation Council' (SIFC) in Pakistan has sought to engage U.S. investors primarily in which sector in 2025?
(a) Defense
(b) Information Technology and Minerals
(c) Textile manufacturing only
(d) Nuclear energy
Explanation: The SIFC is a hybrid forum intended to attract foreign investment. In late 2024 and 2025, Pakistan actively pitched projects in IT, green energy, and the mining of critical minerals to U.S. companies, seeking to shift the bilateral relationship from 'aid' to 'investment-based' partnership.
#1418
In 2025, the U.S. remains a key partner for Pakistan in the eradication of which disease?
(a) Malaria
(b) Polio
(c) Dengue
(d) Scurvy
Explanation: Through agencies like USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. provides extensive funding and technical support for Pakistan's Polio Eradication Program. This 'health diplomacy' is a consistent and non-controversial part of the bilateral relationship.
#1419
Which Pakistani city hosted the 'U.S.-Pakistan Digital Investment Summit' in early 2025?
(a) Karachi
(b) Islamabad
(c) Lahore
(d) Silicon Valley (USA)
Explanation: Islamabad hosted the Digital Investment Summit in 2025 to showcase Pakistan's tech startup ecosystem to American venture capitalists. The event highlighted the growing exports of Pakistani software to the U.S. market, which reached over $1 billion in annual revenue.
#1420
Which Pakistani city was declare as South Asia's cleanest city in 2025, a point of pride often mentioned in U.S.-Pakistan urban development forums?
(a) Lahore
(b) Islamabad
(c) Peshawar
(d) Karachi
Explanation: Islamabad was ranked as the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025. This achievement was highlighted in environmental forums where the U.S. provides technical assistance for waste management and 'Green City' initiatives.