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 language serves as the 'Lingua Franca' (common language) of Pakistan, enabling communication between different ethnic groups?
Answer:
Urdu
While it is the mother tongue of less than 10% of the population, Urdu serves as the lingua franca of Pakistan. It is understood and spoken as a second language by the vast majority of the population, facilitating trade, education, and social interaction across all provinces.
32
The 'Hazaragi' dialect, spoken by the Hazara ethnic group in Quetta, is a variety of which language?
Answer:
Persian (Dari)
The Hazara community, primarily residing in Quetta, speaks Hazaragi, which is a dialect of the Persian (Dari) language. They are an ethnic group with distinct features and are mostly adherents of the Shia sect of Islam.
33
Which language was the first to be granted the status of 'Provincial Language' in Pakistan to be taught in schools alongside Urdu?
Answer:
Sindhi
Sindhi has a long history of being used in formal education and administration. It was the first provincial language to be given official status within the Sindh province, with a mandatory curriculum in provincial schools since the 1970s.
34
The 'Burushaski' language is a unique 'Language Isolate' spoken in which valleys?
Answer:
Hunza and Nagar
Burushaski is a language isolate, meaning it has no known genealogical relationship with any other language in the world. It is spoken by the Burusho people in the Hunza, Nagar, and Yasin valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan.
35
Which ethnic group is traditionally associated with the 'Ajrak' and 'Sindhi Topi' as cultural symbols?
Answer:
Sindhi
The Ajrak (block-printed shawl) and the Sindhi Topi (embroidered cap) are the most iconic cultural symbols of the Sindhi people. These items are worn with pride to celebrate Sindhi Culture Day and signify the rich heritage of the Indus Valley civilization.
36
The 'Potohari' dialect is spoken in the plateau region that includes which major city?
Answer:
Rawalpindi
Potohari (or Pothohari) is the primary dialect of the Pothohar Plateau, which encompasses the districts of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Chakwal. It is closely related to Punjabi but has its own distinct phonetic and grammatical features.
37
Which script is primarily used to write the Punjabi language in Pakistan?
Answer:
Shahmukhi
In Pakistan, Punjabi is written using the Shahmukhi script, which is a modified version of the Persian-Arabic (Nasta'liq) script. This is distinct from the Gurmukhi script used for Punjabi in India.
38
The 'Shina' language is the most widely spoken language in which region?
Answer:
Gilgit
Shina is the primary Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Gilgit district, Diamer, and parts of the Kohistan region. It is the dominant language of the Gilgit-Baltistan administrative center.
39
Which ethnic group is famous for its distinct 'Makrani' culture and African ancestry along the coast of Balochistan and Sindh?
Answer:
Sheedi
The Sheedi (or Siddi) people are an ethnic group of African descent primarily residing in the Makran coast of Balochistan and in Lower Sindh. They have preserved unique musical and dance traditions, such as the 'Leewa,' and are an integral part of Pakistan's diverse ethnic mosaic.
40
The 'Balti' language, spoken in Gilgit-Baltistan, belongs to which language family?
Answer:
Tibeto-Burman
Balti is a Tibetic language spoken in the Baltistan region of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is closely related to Tibetan and is the only Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Pakistan, reflecting the region's historical and cultural links with Tibet.