PPSC Past Paper 2024

Typhoid fever remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation. The development and introduction of effective vaccines are crucial for disease control.

• Pakistan holds the distinction of being the first country in the world to introduce the WHO-approved Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) into its routine immunization program. This landmark initiative occurred in November 2019, primarily to combat the rising burden of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid, which posed a severe threat to public health in the country.
• While India, China, and Bangladesh also face typhoid challenges and have robust immunization programs, Pakistan was the pioneer in adopting the WHO-approved TCV for routine use.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) plays a vital role in Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism. Its reorganization reflects the country's strategic response to security threats.

The correct answer is NAP (National Action Plan). The Punjab Police reorganized its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in pursuance of the objectives outlined under the National Action Plan (NAP). NAP was a comprehensive strategy formulated by Pakistan in 2014, following the Peshawar school attack, to eradicate terrorism and extremism. Strengthening CTDs was a key component of this plan to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities across provinces.

• Ministry of Interior is incorrect; while it oversees internal security, NAP was the specific overarching framework guiding this reorganization.
• FATF focuses on financial crimes, not direct police structural reorganization.
• UNSC (United Nations Security Council) passes resolutions, but NAP was Pakistan's domestic policy framework.

Gwadar Port, strategically located on the Arabian Sea in Balochistan, Pakistan, serves multiple vital functions for the region and the country.

• The correct answer is Both A & B. Historically, Gwadar has been a significant Fishing Port, supporting the livelihoods of local communities due to the rich marine resources of the Arabian Sea.
• More recently, it has undergone extensive development, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to become a major deep-sea Trade Port. This development aims to facilitate regional and international trade, serving as a crucial gateway for cargo and transit trade.
• Therefore, classifying it solely as a fishing port or a trade port would be incomplete, as it effectively functions as both.

Maritime transport is the most cost-effective and efficient means of transporting large volumes of goods globally, forming the backbone of international trade and supply chains.

• The correct answer, 80%, is accurate. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), approximately 80% of global merchandise trade by volume is carried by sea. This highlights the immense reliance of the world economy on shipping.
• 60%, 70%, and 75% are all lower estimates. While significant percentages, they do not fully capture the overwhelming dominance of maritime transport in the total volume of world goods trade. These figures might be plausible for other modes of transport or specific trade routes, but not for the overall global volume.

Understanding this statistic underscores the critical importance of the shipping industry.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a vital inter-governmental organization dedicated to fostering regional cooperation and sustainable development among states bordering the Indian Ocean. Its initiatives span trade, maritime safety, and cultural exchange.

• The correct answer, 23, is accurate. As of current information, IORA comprises 23 member states. These nations, from Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, are united by their shared coastline with the Indian Ocean.
• 21, 25, and 27 are incorrect numbers. While IORA has expanded since its inception in 1997, 23 represents the current official count of its full member states. These distractors might reflect past membership figures, include observer states, or are simply inaccurate.

Knowing the current membership is key to understanding IORA's scope and influence.

The Tashkent Pact was the peace agreement signed between India and Pakistan on January 10, 1966, following the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. This declaration was brokered by the Soviet Union in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and aimed to restore normal relations between the two nations. Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan were the signatories.

• The Delhi Pact is not a recognized agreement between India and Pakistan after the 1965 war.
• The Shimla Accord was signed in 1972, after the 1971 war, making it incorrect for the 1965 conflict.
• While the Soviet Union mediated, Soviet Pact is not the official name of the agreement.

Therefore, the Tashkent Pact is the correct answer, marking a significant diplomatic effort to resolve the post-war tensions.

The primary monsoon system affecting Pakistan, known as the South Asian monsoon, typically enters the country from the India region. These moisture-laden winds originate over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, first bringing rainfall to the Indian subcontinent before progressing northwestward into Pakistan, particularly its eastern and northern areas. This seasonal weather pattern is crucial for Pakistan's agriculture and water resources.

• Central Asia, China, and Afghanistan are located to the north or west of Pakistan. While these regions can influence weather patterns, they are not the source of the main monsoon winds that bring significant rainfall to Pakistan.
• The monsoon's trajectory dictates its entry point, making India the correct answer as the immediate preceding region for the monsoon's arrival in Pakistan.

The Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, saw a historic moment in 2020. Iman Khatib-Yasin became the first Muslim woman wearing a hijab to be elected as a Member of the Knesset. She was elected as part of the United Arab List (Ra'am) party, marking a significant step for representation in Israeli politics.

• Haneen Zoabi was a prominent Arab-Israeli politician and the first female Arab citizen to be elected to the Knesset on an Arab party's list, but she did not wear a hijab and was elected earlier.
• Hussniya Jabara was the first Arab woman elected to the Knesset in 1999, but she was Druze and did not wear a hijab.
• Hiba is a generic name and not associated with this specific historical achievement.

Pakistan's National Action Plan (NAP) comprises 20 points. This comprehensive strategy was formulated in December 2014 by the Government of Pakistan in response to the horrific Peshawar school attack, with the aim of eradicating terrorism and extremism from the country. The plan outlines various measures, including the establishment of military courts, regulation of religious seminaries, countering hate speech, and choking terror financing.

• Options 15, 16, and 25 are incorrect. The officially stated and widely recognized number of points in the National Action Plan is 20.

Each point addresses a specific aspect of counter-terrorism, making the NAP a multi-faceted approach to national security.

In globalization studies, models are often used to simplify complex concepts. The “P4” concept refers to a structured model encompassing four key dimensions: People, Products, Profit, and Planet. This framework is widely used to analyze the multifaceted impacts and considerations within globalization and business operations, particularly concerning sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

• The model is explicitly defined by its four 'P' elements. Therefore, it is logically denoted as P4, directly reflecting the number of dimensions it includes.
• Options P1, P3, and P7 are incorrect as they do not correspond to the stated number of dimensions in this specific model.

Understanding such nomenclature is crucial in academic and professional contexts.

Former President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar submitted his resignation to General Pervez Musharraf. Tarar served as President from 1998 to 2001. Following General Musharraf's military coup in October 1999, Musharraf gradually consolidated power. On June 20, 2001, President Tarar resigned after Musharraf issued the Legal Framework Order, which effectively curtailed the President's powers and paved the way for Musharraf to assume the presidency himself.

• The Chief Justice or Supreme Court are judicial bodies and not the typical recipients of a presidential resignation, especially under such political circumstances.
• The Speaker of the National Assembly heads the legislative body, but the resignation was directly linked to the de facto authority of General Musharraf.