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
What is the main cause of 'Waterlogging and Salinity' in the irrigation areas of Pakistan?
Answer:
Poor drainage and excessive seepage from canals
Waterlogging and salinity are caused by the rising water table due to excessive seepage from unlined canals and poor natural drainage. This brings salts to the surface through capillary action, making the land unfit for cultivation unless managed by projects like SCARP.
2
Which river in Pakistan is often referred to as the 'Life-line of Pakistan'?
Answer:
Indus
The Indus River is the longest and most important river in Pakistan. It supports the world's largest contiguous irrigation system and is the primary source of water for the country's agriculture, economy, and power generation.
3
What is the 'Indus Basin Settlement Plan' commonly referred to as in historical contexts?
Answer:
Indus Basin Project
The Indus Basin Project (or Settlement Plan) was the massive construction effort following the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. It included the building of two large dams (Mangla and Tarbela), five barrages, and several link canals to replace water lost to India.
4
Which dam project is currently under construction on the Indus River to provide 4,500 MW of power and 6.4 MAF of water storage?
Answer:
Diamer-Bhasha Dam
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a massive multi-purpose project located on the Indus River. Once completed, it will be the highest roller-compacted concrete dam in the world, providing significant water storage for agriculture and hydroelectric power.
5
The 'Karez' system of irrigation is a traditional method primarily found in which province of Pakistan?
Answer:
Balochistan
The Karez system is an ancient, sustainable irrigation method where underground tunnels are used to bring water from mountain springs to the plains. This system is unique to the arid environment of Balochistan and helps prevent water loss due to evaporation.
6
What is the primary source of groundwater recharge in the Indus Basin?
Answer:
Seepage from the canal irrigation system
Seepage from the extensive network of unlined canals and watercourses is the primary source of groundwater recharge in the Indus Basin. This groundwater is then pumped by millions of tubewells to supplement surface water for irrigation.
7
Which entity is responsible for monitoring and distributing water among the provinces according to the 1991 Accord?
Answer:
IRSA
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) was established to implement the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991. It monitors the flows in the Indus River system and ensures that each province receives its constitutional share of water.
8
What percentage of Pakistan's total water resources is approximately used for agriculture?
Answer:
90%
Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in Pakistan, accounting for over 90% of the total available surface and groundwater. This high consumption is due to the country's extensive irrigation network and the water-intensive nature of major crops.
9
Which term is used to describe the land between two converging rivers in Pakistan's geography?
Answer:
Doab
A 'Doab' (Persian for 'Two Waters') refers to the tract of land lying between two converging rivers. Major doabs in Pakistan include the Rechna Doab (between Chenab and Ravi) and the Jech Doab (between Jhelum and Chenab).
10
What is the primary objective of the 'Water Apportionment Accord' signed in 1991 in Pakistan?
Answer:
Distributing Indus River water among the four provinces
The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord is a historic agreement that defines the shares of the Indus River waters for all four provinces. It remains the legal framework for water distribution and is managed by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA).