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
31
Which Pakistani official chaired the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad?
Answer:
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, as the head of the host government, chaired the 23rd SCO-CHG meeting in October 2024. In the SCO hierarchy, the CHG focuses on the economic and organizational aspects of the bloc, while the CHS (Council of Heads of State) focuses on strategic and political matters.
32
In 2025, Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to finalize which trilateral project that also involves Afghanistan?
Answer:
Trans-Afghan Railway
The Trans-Afghan Railway project (Termez–Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Peshawar) is a top priority for Pakistan and Uzbekistan. In 2025, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to this project within the SCO framework to provide landlocked Central Asian states with the shortest route to the Arabian Sea via Pakistani ports.
33
Which SCO member state shares the highest altitude paved international border crossing with Pakistan?
Answer:
China
The Khunjerab Pass, at an altitude of 4,693 meters, is the world's highest paved international border crossing, connecting Pakistan with China. It is the primary land route for CPEC and serves as the 'Silk Road' link that integrates Pakistan's northern areas with the SCO's vast inland trade networks.
34
The 'Islamabad Declaration' issued at the end of the 2024 SCO summit emphasized which new area of cooperation?
Answer:
Digital Trade and E-commerce
The Islamabad Declaration of the 23rd SCO-CHG meeting highlighted the need for a more equitable global economic order and focused on digital trade, e-commerce, and the integration of digital payment systems. Pakistan championed this agenda to leverage its growing IT sector and to link its startups with the massive SCO market.
35
Which specific 'evil' does the SCO-RATS prioritize, which Pakistan has addressed through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in 2024?
Answer:
Terrorism
The SCO Charter identifies the 'three evils' as terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Pakistan launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024 to combat the re-emerging threat of militancy. Pakistan's progress in this domestic operation is regularly shared with the SCO-RATS to emphasize its role as a stable regional security partner.
36
Which SCO member is Pakistan's largest supplier of discounted crude oil as of late 2024 and early 2025?
Answer:
Russia
Following the global shift in energy markets, Pakistan began importing discounted crude oil from Russia in 2023. By 2024 and 2025, this has become a key pillar of Pakistan's energy security strategy. The SCO provides a diplomatic framework for the two nations to settle payments and navigate international logistics challenges.
37
In late 2024, Pakistan and China signed an agreement to upgrade which railway project under the CPEC-SCO connectivity vision?
Answer:
Main Line-1 (ML-1)
The ML-1 project is the most critical railway infrastructure project in Pakistan, aimed at upgrading the track from Karachi to Peshawar. In 2024 and 2025, Pakistan and China fast-tracked this project to ensure that the transport corridor can effectively handle the projected surge in transit trade from Central Asian SCO members.
38
Which international boundary line separates Pakistan from the Central Asian SCO member, Tajikistan, by the narrow Wakhan Corridor?
Answer:
Durand Line
The Durand Line is the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. To the north, a narrow strip of Afghan territory called the Wakhan Corridor separates Pakistan from Tajikistan. Pakistan is working within the SCO to develop road and rail links that would bypass or transit this corridor to reach Dushanbe directly.
39
Which OIC Standing Committee is headquartered in Islamabad and coordinates with SCO states on science and technology?
Answer:
COMSTECH
The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) is based in Islamabad. Pakistan uses its chairmanship of COMSTECH to build bridges with Central Asian SCO members, many of whom are also OIC members, to promote joint research in fields like biotechnology, AI, and space technology.
40
The first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nine years occurred during the 2024 SCO summit. Who was the official?
Answer:
S. Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Islamabad in October 2024 to attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. This was the first such visit since 2015. While the visit focused on the multilateral SCO agenda, it was seen as a significant protocol-level engagement between the two nuclear neighbors.