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
1
The 2024-2025 future outlook for Pakistan at the WTO is expected to be dominated by which strategy?
Answer:
Multi-alignment and seeking new avenues for trade in the 'Global South' through BRICS and the OIC
Pakistan’s current economic diplomacy is focused on 'Multi-alignment.' This involves maintaining traditional markets in the West (GSP+) while aggressively seeking new trade and investment links with emerging economies in the Global South. This strategy ensures that Pakistan can maximize its options in an increasingly multi-polar global trading system.
2
In 2025, Pakistan's 'Digital Silk Road' initiative focuses on which infrastructure to support digital trade?
Answer:
High-speed fiber optic links and satellite-based digital services like PakSat-MM1
The 'Digital Silk Road' is the digital component of CPEC. By improving broadband connectivity and launching advanced satellites, Pakistan aims to become a regional hub for data transit and digital services. This aligns with the WTO's growing focus on facilitating global trade in the digital era.
3
The 'Weighted Average Cost of Gas' (WACOG) bill in Pakistan is a domestic reform intended to improve the competitiveness of which sector in the global trade market?
Answer:
Industrial and Manufacturing sector
By averaging the cost of expensive imported LNG with cheaper domestic gas, the WACOG formula aims to provide a stable and predictable energy price for industries. This is essential for lowering the 'cost of doing business' and making Pakistani exports more competitive in the international market, consistent with WTO's principles of economic efficiency.
4
The term 'Geo-economics', which Pakistan's foreign policy has pivoted toward in 2024-2025, is primarily about:
Answer:
Leveraging geographical location to become a hub for trade, transit, and connectivity
The pivot to Geo-economics represents a shift from a security-centric to an economy-centric worldview. Pakistan aims to turn its location—linking Central Asia, China, and the Gulf—into a transit and trade corridor. This vision relies heavily on the WTO's rules-based system to ensure smooth and predictable cross-border commercial flows.
5
Which Pakistani city was declare the cleanest city in South Asia in 2025, an achievement used to promote the country's adherence to 'ESG' standards in trade?
Answer:
Islamabad
Islamabad’s ranking in 2025 as the cleanest city in South Asia is part of a broader effort to align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. In the modern WTO environment, 'Green' credentials are becoming essential for attracting investment and maintaining favorable trade terms with partners like the EU.
6
The 'Trade Preferential System' (TPS-OIC), which Pakistan joined, is a move toward a free trade area among members of which group?
Answer:
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The TPS-OIC is a specialized trade agreement within the OIC. While the WTO promotes global multilateral trade, it allows for regional or group-specific preferential arrangements. Pakistan uses the TPS-OIC to deepen its economic ties with other Muslim nations, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
7
The 'Waiver' of TRIPS obligations for COVID-19 vaccines, discussed at the WTO, was supported by Pakistan to:
Answer:
Allow for the domestic production of affordable generic versions of vaccines
Pakistan was a strong advocate for a temporary waiver of certain intellectual property rights under TRIPS for COVID-19 technologies. The goal was to remove the legal barriers that prevent developing nations from producing their own vaccines and treatments, ensuring more equitable global health outcomes.
8
Which international body's 'Loss and Damage' fund, championed by Pakistan at COP27, is linked to the WTO's goal of 'Sustainable Trade'?
Answer:
UNFCCC
While the fund is under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), its implementation is vital for trade. Climate-vulnerable nations like Pakistan argue that without financial support for recovery from disasters (like the 2022 floods), they cannot maintain the infrastructure and supply chains needed for global trade, making climate justice a core part of the 'Sustainable Trade' agenda.
9
The 'Technical Barriers to Trade' (TBT) agreement prevents Pakistan from using technical regulations to:
Answer:
Create unnecessary obstacles to international trade
The TBT agreement ensures that regulations, standards, and testing procedures do not create unnecessary barriers. For example, Pakistan must ensure that its national standards for electronic goods are based on international standards so that foreign products can enter its market fairly, just as Pakistani products expect fair treatment abroad.
10
Which Pakistani official chaired the 'Group of 77 and China' at the UN/WTO in 2022, leading the demand for climate-linked trade justice?
Answer:
Munir Akram
Ambassador Munir Akram was the face of the G77 plus China in 2022. While primarily a UN role, the chairmanship also involves coordinating trade positions to ensure that developing nations have the financial and technological resources to transition to 'Green' trade without being penalized by new environmental barriers.