PPSC Past Paper 2024

The question asks to match the English proverb "A guilty conscience needs no accuser" with its correct Urdu translation. This proverb implies that a person who has committed a wrong act will often betray their guilt through their actions or words, even without being directly accused.

The correct answer is B: چور کی داڑھی میں تھوکا (Chor ki darhi mein thooka). This Urdu idiom literally translates to "spit in the thief's beard." It signifies that a guilty person will often react defensively or show signs of guilt when an accusation is made, even if it's indirect or general, thus revealing their own culpability. This perfectly captures the essence of the English proverb.

• A: جور کی داڑھی میں تکا (Jor ki darhi mein tukka) is grammatically incorrect and does not form a recognized proverb. "جور" (Jor) means oppression, not thief.
• C: جور چور اکاٹ بڑی (Jor chor akaat bari) is also grammatically incorrect and not a known proverb.
• D: چار آنکھیں چار خبریں (Char aankhen char khabren) translates to "four eyes, four news," which is not a proverb and bears no relation to the concept of guilt.

The River Thames is a fundamental geographical feature of England, flowing through the heart of London and much of Southern England. It is recognized as the longest river entirely within England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom. Its historical and economic significance to England is immense, having served as a vital trade route and a source of inspiration for centuries.

• B: England is the correct answer because the Thames is intrinsically linked to English geography and culture.
• A: France's longest river is the Loire, a completely different waterway.
• C: Italy's longest river is the Po, which flows across northern Italy.
• D: Germany's major rivers include the Rhine and the Elbe, neither of which is the Thames.

Therefore, the Thames is unequivocally the largest river of England.

Email communication uses specific fields to address recipients and manage how they receive and view the message. The "CC" field is a standard part of this system.

• Carbon Copy is the correct answer. The term "CC" stands for Carbon Copy, a legacy term from the days of typewriters where carbon paper was used to create duplicate copies of a document. In email, placing an address in the CC field means that recipient will receive a copy of the email, and their address will be visible to all other recipients in the To, CC, and sometimes even BCC fields (depending on the email client).
• Cereal Communication is a nonsensical phrase and has no relation to email terminology.
• Copy and Cut are common editing functions (for text or objects) in software applications, not an email addressing convention.
• Contact Copy, while involving contacts and copies, is not the recognized or correct abbreviation for the email field.

Understanding email fields like CC and BCC is crucial for professional communication.

The question asks about the title under which Allama Iqbal's poetry from his final period is included. Allama Iqbal was a renowned poet-philosopher whose works are categorized into different collections, each reflecting various phases of his thought and life.

The correct answer is A: ارمغانِ حجاز (Armaghan-e-Hijaz). This collection is indeed Allama Iqbal's last poetic work, published posthumously in 1938, shortly after his death. It contains both Urdu and Persian poetry and reflects his final philosophical thoughts, spiritual journey, and profound longing for Hijaz (the holy land of Mecca and Medina).

• B: جاوید نامہ (Javid Nama) is a long philosophical poem, often called "The Book of Eternity," but it was published in 1932, preceding Armaghan-e-Hijaz.
• C: ضربِ کلیم (Zarb-e-Kaleem) was published in 1936 and is known as "The Staff of Moses," focusing on social and political issues, but it is not his absolute last work.
• D: بانگِ درا (Bang-e-Dra) was his first Urdu poetry collection, published in 1924, representing his early period.

Every sovereign nation has a designated capital city that serves as its seat of government and often its cultural and economic hub. For the South American nation of Colombia, this vital role is played by Bogota.

• B: Bogota is the correct answer. It is the official capital and largest city of Colombia, situated high in the Andes mountains. It is the country's political, economic, administrative, industrial, artistic, cultural, and sports center.
• A: Santiago is the capital city of Chile, a different South American country.
• C: La Paz is one of the two capitals of Bolivia, serving as the administrative capital, while Sucre is the constitutional capital.
• D: None of these is incorrect because Bogota is indeed the capital of Colombia and is listed as an option.

Understanding the capitals of major countries is a basic aspect of world geography.

Keyboards are organized into different sections, each serving a specific purpose. The arrow keys are a distinct group with a primary function.

• Navigation keys is the correct answer. The arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) are specifically designed to move the cursor, scroll through documents, navigate menus, or move between cells in a spreadsheet. They are also commonly referred to as cursor control keys because they control the position of the cursor or selection.
• Function keys are the keys labeled F1 through F12, typically located at the top of the keyboard. Their functions vary depending on the software application being used.
• Alphanumeric keys include all the letter (A-Z) and number (0-9) keys, along with punctuation marks, used for typing text and numerical data.
• Special keys is a broad category that might include many non-alphanumeric keys like Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Enter, etc. While arrow keys are special in their function, "Navigation keys" is the most precise and commonly accepted term for them.

Therefore, the arrow keys are best described as navigation keys due to their primary role in moving around digital interfaces.

اردو قواعد کو بنیادی طور پر پانچ حصوں میں تقسیم کیا جاتا ہے۔ یہ تمام حصے زبان کو صحیح طریقے سے بولنے، پڑھنے اور لکھنے کے بنیادی اصول فراہم کرتے ہیں۔

ان پانچ حصوں کی تفصیل درج ذیل ہے:

• علمِ ہجّا: اردو قواعد کا یہ حصہ حروف تہجی کے صوتی اور تحریری نظام، حرکات و سکنات (زبر، زیر، پیش) اور تلفظ سے متعلق معلومات فراہم کرتا ہے۔
• علمِ صرف: اس حصے میں الفاظ کی ساخت، ان کے روپ بدلنے، واحد سے جمع بنانے اور نئے الفاظ اخذ کرنے کے قوانین سکھائے جاتے ہیں۔
• علمِ نحو: اس حصے میں جملوں کی درست بنت، الفاظ کی ترتیب اور کلمات کے باہمی تعلق کے اصول بیان کیے جاتے ہیں تاکہ مفہوم واضح ہو۔
• علمِ بلاغت: قواعد کے اس حصے کے ذریعے کلام کی لفظی اور معنوی خوبیاں، استعارہ، تشبیہ اور روزمرہ کی گہری باتیں سیکھی جاتی ہیں۔
• علمِ عروض: یہ شاعری کا حصہ ہے، جس میں وزن، بحر، قافیہ اور ردیف کی پہچان کے ذریعے شعر کو قواعد کے پیمانے پر پرکھنا سکھایا جاتا ہے۔

Khewra is a town located in the Jhelum District of Punjab, Pakistan, renowned globally for its extensive mineral deposits. The area is home to one of the world's oldest and largest salt mines, making it a significant site for mineral extraction.

• A: Salt is the correct answer. The Khewra Salt Mine is famous for producing high-quality Himalayan pink salt, which is exported worldwide. It is a major tourist attraction and a vital economic asset for Pakistan.
• B: Coal is mined in various parts of Pakistan, such as Thar, but Khewra is not primarily known for coal.
• C: Copper deposits are found in Pakistan, notably at Reko Diq, but not as the defining mineral of Khewra.
• D: Gypsum is also found in Pakistan, but again, it is not the mineral for which Khewra is most famous.

The Khewra Salt Mine's historical significance and vast reserves firmly establish its fame for salt.

This problem involves direct proportionality, where the amount of cloth produced is directly proportional to the time spent. First, determine the machine's production rate. If it makes 4 yards of cloth in 2 minutes, its rate is 4 yards / 2 minutes = 2 yards per minute.

To find out how many yards it makes in 50 minutes, multiply this rate by the new time: 2 yards/minute * 50 minutes = 100 yards. Therefore, option D is correct.

• A: 25 yards is incorrect; this might result from dividing 50 by 2, then by 1, or some other miscalculation.
• B: 50 yards is incorrect; this would imply a rate of 1 yard per minute, which is half the actual rate.
• C: 75 yards is incorrect; there's no direct mathematical path to this answer based on the given information.

The question requires choosing the grammatically correct English sentence. The sentences involve the use of the causative verb "let," which has a specific grammatical structure.

The correct answer is C: Do not let child drink this dirty water. The correct structure for the causative verb "let" is "let + object + base form of the verb (infinitive without 'to')." In this sentence, "child" is the object, and "drink" is the base form of the verb, making the sentence grammatically sound.

• A: Do not let child have drunk this dirty water is incorrect because "have drunk" is the present perfect form, which is not used after "let" in this construction.
• B: Do not let child to drink this dirty water is incorrect because "let" does not take "to" before the infinitive. This is a common error.
• D: Do not allow child have drunk this dirty water is incorrect. While "allow" is a causative verb, it typically takes "to + infinitive" (e.g., "Do not allow the child to drink"), and "have drunk" is still an incorrect verb form in this context.

The Golan Heights is a strategically vital plateau in the Levant region, located at the junction of the borders of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. This territory has been a focal point of conflict in the Middle East for decades due to its strategic military importance and water resources.

• C: Syria and Israel is the correct answer. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and subsequently annexed it in 1981, a move not widely recognized internationally. Syria continues to claim the territory as its own.
• A: Israel and Jordan have a peace treaty and a defined border, with no major territorial dispute over the Golan Heights.
• B: Palestine and Israel are primarily in dispute over territories like the West Bank and Gaza Strip, not the Golan Heights.
• D: None of these is incorrect as Syria and Israel are the direct parties involved in the dispute.

The status of the Golan Heights remains a significant issue in international relations.

This question tests basic knowledge of the metric system and unit conversions. The prefix 'kilo-' in 'kilometer' is a standard multiplier in the International System of Units (SI). 'Kilo' universally means one thousand (1000).

Therefore, one kilometer is equivalent to 1000 meters. This fundamental conversion is crucial for understanding distances in many scientific and everyday contexts. Option C is the correct answer.

• A: 10 meters is incorrect; this would be a decameter.
• B: 100 meters is incorrect; this would be a hectometer.
• D: 10000 meters is incorrect; this is ten kilometers, not one. Misunderstanding the 'kilo' prefix is a common source of error for these distractors.

The groundbreaking popular science book "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes" was written by the renowned British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking. Published in 1988, the book aimed to explain complex concepts about the universe, such as the Big Bang, black holes, and spacetime, to a general audience. Hawking's ability to simplify intricate scientific theories made the book a global bestseller.

• Jane Goodall is a famous primatologist known for her work with chimpanzees.
• Alan Guth is a theoretical physicist who proposed the theory of cosmic inflation, but did not write this specific book.
• James Watson is a molecular biologist, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.

The Kargil War, fought in 1999, was a significant armed conflict between India and Pakistan. During this intense period, several Pakistani soldiers displayed extraordinary courage and made the ultimate sacrifice, earning the highest military award, Nishan-e-Haider.

The correct answer is Both A & B. Both Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed and Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed embraced Shahadat (martyrdom) during the Kargil War and were posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for their exceptional bravery. Captain Karnal Sher Khan valiantly defended his post against multiple Indian attacks, while Havaldar Lalak Jan fought bravely, repelling enemy assaults despite being severely wounded.

Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was a hero of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, where he also received Nishan-e-Haider, but he was not martyred during the Kargil War. Therefore, selecting only A or B would be incomplete, as both individuals mentioned in options A and B were indeed martyred during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The first Muslim American to serve as a federal judge in U.S. history is Judge Zahid Quraishi. He was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021 and confirmed by the Senate, making a significant milestone in American judicial history. Judge Quraishi is of Pakistani origin, having been born in New York to immigrant parents from Pakistan. His appointment reflects the increasing diversity within the American judiciary.

• While individuals of Indian origin and Bangladeshi origin have made immense contributions to American society and various fields, the specific individual who holds the distinction of being the first Muslim Federal Judge is of Pakistani descent.
• Therefore, "None of these" is incorrect as a specific origin applies.

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed is a revered national hero of Pakistan, recognized for his unparalleled bravery and sacrifice. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military gallantry award, for his actions during a critical period in the nation's history.

The correct answer is 1965. Major Aziz Bhatti embraced martyrdom on September 10, 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War. He was commanding a company in the Burki sector on the Lahore front and chose to remain in an exposed forward observation post for five consecutive days under continuous enemy fire. His steadfastness and courage in directing artillery fire against the advancing Indian forces were instrumental in holding the line, ultimately leading to his martyrdom by an enemy tank shell.

The other options are incorrect: 1971 refers to another major Indo-Pakistani War, but Major Aziz Bhatti was not martyred then. 1948 was the year of the First Kashmir War, which occurred much earlier. 1999 refers to the Kargil War, which took place decades after Major Bhatti's sacrifice.

The Delhi Proposals were a significant set of demands put forth by Muslim leaders in British India in March 1927. These proposals outlined conditions under which Muslims would be willing to give up their demand for separate electorates, a contentious issue in Indian politics. Key demands included one-third representation for Muslims in the central legislature, the creation of new Muslim-majority provinces, and separation of Sindh from Bombay.

• 1919 saw the implementation of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
• 1924 was a period of political consolidation and communal tensions.
• 1930 is notable for Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March and the first Round Table Conference.

These dates correspond to other important events in India's struggle for independence.

The pamphlet "Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?" holds immense historical significance in the context of the Pakistan Movement. It was a pivotal document that articulated the demand for a separate Muslim homeland in British India and introduced the name "Pakistan."

The correct answer is Chaudhry Rehmat Ali. He was a Pakistani Muslim nationalist who published this influential pamphlet on January 28, 1933, from Cambridge, England. In this document, Rehmat Ali coined the acronym "Pakistan" by combining letters from the names of the Muslim-majority regions of Punjab, Afghan (North-West Frontier Province), Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan.

The other options are incorrect: Allama Iqbal was a visionary poet and philosopher who conceptualized the idea of a separate Muslim state but did not author this specific pamphlet. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the founder of Pakistan and its first Governor-General, but he was not the writer of "Now or Never." Liaqat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first Prime Minister, but he also did not write this pamphlet.

Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested in Balochistan, Pakistan, in March 2016. Pakistan claimed that Jadhav was an Indian spy involved in subversive activities and terrorism within its borders, particularly in Balochistan and Karachi. India, however, maintains that Jadhav was a retired naval officer abducted from Iran, where he was engaged in legitimate business, and that he was not involved in espionage. The case has been a major point of contention between India and Pakistan, even reaching the International Court of Justice.

• KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Punjab, and Sindh are other provinces of Pakistan, but the specific location of his alleged arrest, as claimed by Pakistani authorities, was Balochistan.

The question asks about the constitutional article that designates the President as the Head of State. In a parliamentary republic like Pakistan, the President holds a largely ceremonial role as the Head of State, symbolizing the unity and integrity of the country, while the Prime Minister acts as the Head of Government.

Article 41 of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly states that there shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State. This article outlines the qualifications, election process, and fundamental role of the President within the constitutional framework, making it the correct answer.

• Article 90 pertains to the exercise of the Federal Government's executive authority, which is primarily vested in the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, not the President as Head of State.
• Article 370 is an article from the Constitution of India, specifically related to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and is entirely irrelevant to the Constitution of Pakistan.
• Therefore, 'None of these' is incorrect, as Article 41 precisely addresses the question.

The year 1958 marked a significant turning point in Pakistan's political history with the imposition of its first martial law. Ayub Khan, who was then serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, was appointed as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. This appointment was initially made by President Iskander Mirza, who abrogated the 1956 Constitution and dissolved the assemblies. However, Ayub Khan soon consolidated power, overthrowing Mirza himself within weeks and assuming the presidency, thereby initiating a long period of military rule in the country.

The other options are incorrect because they relate to different periods or roles. Ghulam Ishaq Khan served as President of Pakistan much later, from 1988 to 1993, and was not involved in the 1958 events. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is a prominent politician who served as Chief Minister of Punjab decades later, not a military figure from that era. General Zia-ul-Haq was another military dictator, but he imposed martial law in 1977, nearly two decades after Ayub Khan's takeover.

The Nehru Report was a significant document in the history of India's struggle for independence, outlining a proposed new dominion status constitution for India. It was drafted by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru in response to the challenge posed by Lord Birkenhead, the Secretary of State for India, who challenged Indians to draft their own constitution.

The Nehru Report was published in August 1928. It advocated for dominion status, universal adult suffrage, a secular state, and fundamental rights, among other provisions. Its publication marked a crucial step in the Indian nationalist movement, demonstrating India's capacity to frame its own constitutional proposals.

• 1927 was the year the Simon Commission was appointed, which subsequently led to the Indian political parties' decision to draft their own constitution, culminating in the Nehru Report.
• 1929 saw the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress, where the demand for 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence) was declared, moving beyond the dominion status proposed by the Nehru Report.
• 1930 marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Dandi March, major events following the rejection of the Nehru Report's proposals by the British.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second-largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations, comprising 57 member states. Its establishment was a direct response to the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in August 1969, which deeply outraged the Muslim world. Following this incident, leaders of Islamic nations convened a historic summit in Rabat, Morocco, from September 22-25, 1969. This summit led to the formal establishment of the OIC, with the primary aim of fostering Islamic solidarity and cooperation among member states.

Therefore, September 1969 is the correct answer. The other options, May 1970, May 1971, and September 1972, are incorrect. While the OIC held subsequent meetings and adopted its charter in later years, the foundational act of its establishment occurred in September 1969. These later dates might correspond to other significant events in the OIC's early history, but not its initial formation.

Five-year plans are comprehensive national economic programs that set targets and strategies for economic growth and development over a five-year period. These plans were a key feature of economic planning in many developing countries, including Pakistan, aiming to guide resource allocation and policy decisions.

The Eighth Five-Year Plan in Pakistan spanned the period from 1993 to 1998. This plan focused on accelerating economic growth, promoting social sector development, and implementing structural reforms, including privatization and liberalization, to foster a more market-oriented economy. It aimed to consolidate the gains from previous plans while addressing new challenges.

• 1988-1993 corresponds to the Seventh Five-Year Plan, which preceded the Eighth Plan.
• 1998-2003 represents the Ninth Five-Year Plan, which followed the Eighth Plan.
• 2003-2008 refers to the Tenth Five-Year Plan, continuing the sequence of national development strategies.

Understanding the chronological order of these plans is essential for grasping the evolution of economic policy in Pakistan.

The Delhi Sultanate was a powerful Islamic empire that ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries, from 1206 to 1526 AD. It comprised five successive dynasties. The very first of these was the Mamluk Dynasty, also famously known as the Slave Dynasty. It was founded in 1206 AD by Qutb al-Din Aibak, a former Mamluk (slave soldier) of Muhammad Ghori, after Ghori's assassination. Aibak established his capital at Delhi and laid the groundwork for the Sultanate.

The other options represent subsequent dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate. The Khilji Dynasty succeeded the Mamluks in 1290 AD, known for its expansionist policies. The Tughlaq Dynasty followed the Khiljis in 1320 AD, marking a period of significant administrative changes. Finally, the Lodi Dynasty was the fifth and last dynasty, ruling from 1451 AD until its defeat by Babur in 1526 AD, which led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire. Thus, the Mamluk Dynasty holds the distinction of being the first.