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
41
Who was the Prime Minister of India during the 1971 war?
Answer:
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was the Indian Prime Minister who provided military and diplomatic support to the Bengali resistance. She ordered the Indian Army to intervene in East Pakistan following Pakistani air strikes on western Indian airfields on December 3, 1971.
42
Which commission was established in Pakistan to investigate the causes of the military failure in 1971?
Answer:
Hamoodur Rahman Commission
The Hamoodur Rahman Commission was appointed by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and headed by Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman. The commission's report analyzed the political and military circumstances leading to the surrender, though its full contents were kept classified for many years.
43
What was the main political demand of the Awami League known as?
Answer:
The Six Points
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 'Six Points' program, presented in 1966, demanded extensive provincial autonomy for East Pakistan, including control over its own currency, taxes, and trade. The federal government viewed these points as a blueprint for secession, while the Bengalis saw them as the only way to end economic disparity.
44
Which agreement was signed between India and Pakistan in 1972 to normalize relations after the war?
Answer:
Simla Agreement
The Simla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972, by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi. The treaty paved the way for the return of 93,000 Pakistani Prisoners of War (POWs) and the return of territories captured during the war, while also establishing the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.
45
Who signed the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Pakistan Army?
Answer:
Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi
Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the Commander of the Eastern Command, signed the surrender document at the Ramna Race Course in Dhaka. He surrendered his forces to Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora of the Indian Army.
46
On which date did the formal surrender of Pakistani forces take place in Dhaka?
Answer:
December 16, 1971
The Fall of Dhaka occurred on December 16, 1971, when the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Armed Forces signed the Instrument of Surrender. This date is celebrated as 'Victory Day' in Bangladesh and is remembered as a day of national tragedy in Pakistan.
47
What was the name of the guerrilla resistance force formed by Bengalis to fight against the Pakistan Army?
Answer:
Mukti Bahini
The Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army) was the popular resistance movement formed by Bengali military, paramilitary, and civilians during the 1971 war. They received significant training, arms, and logistical support from India, enabling them to wage effective guerrilla warfare against the Pakistan Army.
48
Who was the President of Pakistan during the 1971 conflict?
Answer:
General Yahya Khan
General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan was the President and Chief Martial Law Administrator of Pakistan during the 1971 crisis. His handling of the election results and the subsequent military action in East Pakistan are often cited by historians as primary factors leading to the secession of the eastern wing.
49
What was the name of the military operation launched by the Pakistan Army on March 25, 1971, in East Pakistan?
Answer:
Operation Searchlight
Operation Searchlight was a planned military crackdown started by the Pakistan Army to curb the Bengali nationalist movement in East Pakistan. It began on the night of March 25, 1971, leading to widespread conflict and the eventual arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which served as the immediate trigger for the civil war.
50
Which political party won the majority of seats in the December 1970 General Elections in Pakistan?
Answer:
Awami League
The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a landslide victory in the 1970 elections, securing 160 out of 162 seats reserved for East Pakistan in the National Assembly. This gave them an absolute majority in the overall house, but the refusal of the military regime and the PPP to hand over power led to a political deadlock.