Pakistan Studies/Affairs MCQs
Topic Notes: Pakistan Studies/Affairs
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
21
Who were the two primary signatories of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960?
Answer:
Ayub Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru
President Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India signed the treaty. The ceremony took place in Karachi, marking a rare moment of diplomatic cooperation. The treaty was seen as a major breakthrough that prevented a potentially devastating regional water war in the early years of the two nations' independence.
22
Which rivers are designated as the 'Western Rivers' and were allocated to Pakistan under the 1960 treaty?
Answer:
Indus, Jhelum, Chenab
The Indus, the Jhelum, and the Chenab are known as the Western rivers. Pakistan received exclusive rights over these rivers, with some limited exceptions allowed for India. These exceptions include 'run-of-the-river' hydroelectric projects, domestic use, and restricted agricultural use within the territory of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
23
Under the Indus Waters Treaty, which three rivers were allocated to India for 'unrestricted' use?
Answer:
Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
The three Eastern rivers—the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej—were allocated to India. This meant India had almost exclusive rights to use their waters for irrigation, power, and other purposes. Pakistan was given a ten-year transition period to build a system of replacement canals to move water from the Western rivers to the areas previously irrigated by these Eastern rivers.
24
Which international organization mediated the negotiations and serves as the guarantor for the Indus Waters Treaty?
Answer:
World Bank
The World Bank (then known as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) played the role of the primary mediator. Beyond mediation, the World Bank also facilitated the funding for the Indus Basin Project, which included the construction of large dams like Tarbela and Mangla to help Pakistan compensate for the loss of the Eastern rivers.
25
In which year was the historic Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed between Pakistan and India?
Answer:
1960
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi. It remains one of the most successful examples of transboundary water dispute resolution, surviving three major wars between the two countries. The treaty was the culmination of nearly a decade of negotiations to resolve the water distribution issues that arose immediately after the 1947 partition.