PPSC Past Paper 2024

The United States officially began withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan on 01 May 2021. This date marked the commencement of the final phase of the withdrawal, as announced by President Joe Biden. The decision was part of a broader plan to end the nearly two-decade-long military presence in Afghanistan, with a stated goal of completing the full withdrawal by September 11, 2021. The withdrawal process was a significant geopolitical event, concluding a major chapter in U.S. foreign policy and military engagement.

• The dates 10 May 2021, 20 May 2021, and 30 May 2021 are incorrect. While the withdrawal was an ongoing process throughout May and subsequent months, the official and widely recognized start date for the final phase of troop withdrawal was May 1, 2021, as per the agreements and announcements made by the U.S. administration.

The question asks about a country successfully launching a state-of-the-art satellite. While multiple nations possess advanced space capabilities, China has emerged as a leading global power in space technology, consistently launching sophisticated satellites for various applications, including communication, remote sensing, navigation, and scientific research. Their ambitious space program frequently achieves notable milestones, making them a prominent answer for such a general question.

• China is correct because it has significantly advanced its space program, regularly launching state-of-the-art satellites and demonstrating cutting-edge capabilities in space exploration and technology.
• France, while a key player in the European Space Agency (ESA), typically contributes to joint European efforts rather than solely launching its own 'state-of-the-art' satellites independently on the same scale as China or the USA.
• The USA (United States of America) is undoubtedly a leader in space technology, with NASA and private companies like SpaceX frequently launching advanced satellites. However, in a general context without a specific recent event, China's consistent high-profile launches make it a strong contender.
• Russia has a long history in space exploration and still conducts launches, but its recent focus and frequency of 'state-of-the-art' satellite launches might be perceived as less prominent compared to China's rapid expansion in this specific area.

Pakistan's early years were marked by political instability and constitutional challenges. The country's first constitution, known as the 1956 Constitution, was promulgated on March 23, 1956, establishing Pakistan as an Islamic Republic. However, its tenure was short-lived due to ongoing political turmoil and power struggles.

The correct answer is Sikandar Mirza. On October 7, 1958, President Iskander Mirza (also known as Sikandar Mirza) abrogated the 1956 Constitution, dissolved the National and Provincial Assemblies, and declared martial law throughout the country. He cited political instability, corruption, and a lack of discipline as reasons for his actions. This marked the first instance of martial law in Pakistan's history.

• Zia ul Haq imposed martial law and suspended the 1973 Constitution in 1977, not the 1956 one.
• Yahya Khan imposed martial law in 1969, abrogating the 1962 Constitution, not the 1956 Constitution.
• None of these is incorrect as Sikandar Mirza was indeed responsible for abrogating the first constitution.

Slide layouts in presentation software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, are predefined arrangements that dictate the placement of various content placeholders on a slide. They provide structure for your content. The correct answer is Animations.

Slide layouts typically include placeholders for elements like titles, subtitles, body text (often formatted as lists), images, tables, charts, and media clips. These layouts define *where* specific types of content can be placed. Animations, however, are dynamic visual or sound effects applied *to* individual objects on a slide or to the transitions *between* slides. They are properties or effects that you add *after* choosing a layout and inserting content, rather than being a structural section *within* the layout itself.

• Titles are a fundamental part of most slide layouts, providing the main heading.
• Lists are commonly supported by text placeholders within layouts, allowing for bulleted or numbered information.
• Charts are frequently included as dedicated placeholders in layouts designed for data visualization.

The most populous city of Asia, and indeed the world, is Tokyo. The capital of Japan, Tokyo is renowned for its vast metropolitan area, known as the Greater Tokyo Area, which encompasses the city proper and numerous surrounding prefectures. This expansive urban agglomeration consistently holds the top position globally in terms of population, making it a massive hub of economic, cultural, and political activity. Its dense population is a result of historical growth, economic opportunities, and efficient infrastructure.

• New Delhi, the capital of India, is a highly populous city, but its metropolitan area does not surpass Tokyo's in terms of total population.
• Shanghai, a major financial center in China, is also an incredibly populous city, but its metropolitan population is generally considered smaller than that of the Greater Tokyo Area.
• Beijing, the capital of China, is another massive city, but like Shanghai and New Delhi, its metropolitan area population is less than Tokyo's.

The principle of Unity of Command is a fundamental concept in classical management theory, most notably articulated by Henri Fayol. It is designed to ensure clarity, accountability, and efficiency within an organizational structure by preventing confusion and conflicting directives. This principle is crucial for maintaining a stable and effective chain of command.

• Every employee should report to one superior is the correct definition. This principle dictates that an individual employee should receive orders from and be accountable to only one direct supervisor. This eliminates ambiguity, reduces the likelihood of conflicting instructions, and ensures a clear line of authority and responsibility.
• Ensuring all departments work together refers to coordination, which is another important management function, but it is distinct from the specific principle of unity of command. Coordination focuses on harmonizing efforts across different units.
• Organizational hierarchical structure describes the overall arrangement of reporting relationships within an organization. While unity of command operates within this structure, it is a specific principle governing individual reporting lines, not the entire structure itself.
• Delegation of authority across horizontal levels pertains to decentralization or horizontal coordination, where decision-making power is distributed or shared among peers or different departments, which is not the essence of unity of command.

The 1956 Constitution was a monumental document, being Pakistan's first indigenous constitution, which established the country as an Islamic Republic. Despite its significance, it faced immense challenges due to political infighting, frequent changes in government, and a general state of instability in the nascent nation. This led to its eventual abrogation, marking a critical turning point in Pakistan's political history.

The correct answer is Sikandar Mirza. On October 7, 1958, President Iskander Mirza (Sikandar Mirza) abrogated the 1956 Constitution. He dissolved the National and Provincial Assemblies, dismissed the federal and provincial cabinets, and declared martial law across the country. He justified these actions by citing the prevailing political chaos, corruption, and the inability of parliamentary democracy to function effectively.

• Ayub Khan was appointed as the Chief Martial Law Administrator by Sikandar Mirza immediately after the abrogation. While Ayub Khan later consolidated power and became President, it was Mirza who initially abrogated the constitution. Ayub Khan subsequently introduced the 1962 Constitution.
• Yahya Khan abrogated the 1962 Constitution in 1969, not the 1956 one.
• None of these is incorrect as Sikandar Mirza was the individual who abrogated the 1956 Constitution.

In many word processing and presentation applications, the formatting toolbar provides quick access to common text formatting options, including font size. The correct answer is 72.

In standard applications like Microsoft Word, the dropdown menu for font size on the formatting toolbar typically offers a range of predefined sizes. While users can manually type in any desired font size, the largest size readily available for selection from the default dropdown list is usually 72 points. A 72-point font size is equivalent to one inch in height, making it a very large size often used for headlines or titles.

• 48 is incorrect; while a large size, it is not the maximum available in the dropdown.
• 10 is incorrect; this is a common size for body text, far from the largest.
• 64 is incorrect; although a large size, 72 is typically the highest option presented in the standard dropdown menu.

The question asks for the specific term used to describe an individual who does not believe in God. The correct answer is Atheist.

• An Atheist is defined as a person who lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. This position can stem from various philosophical or personal reasons, and it represents a fundamental absence of religious faith concerning deities.
• Option A, Theist, is the direct antithesis. A theist is an individual who affirms belief in the existence of God or gods, often adhering to a specific religion or spiritual framework that includes a divine creator or higher power.
• Option B, Heretic, refers to someone who holds religious beliefs that are contrary to the established dogma or orthodox principles of a particular religion. A heretic typically believes in God but deviates from accepted doctrines, rather than disbelieving entirely.
• Option D, Fanatic, describes a person characterized by extreme and uncritical zeal, particularly in religious or political matters. While a fanatic might be deeply religious, the term itself denotes an intense, often obsessive, devotion to a cause or belief, not the presence or absence of belief in God.

Thus, "atheist" is the precise and accurate term for someone who does not believe in God.

Recruitment systems are methods organizations use to attract qualified candidates for job vacancies. These systems can broadly be categorized based on whether they look internally or externally for talent. The question specifically asks about a system where higher positions are open to all qualified candidates, implying a broad search beyond the existing workforce.

• Direct recruitment is the correct answer. This method involves seeking candidates from outside the organization. When higher positions are advertised and made available to all qualified individuals, regardless of whether they are current employees or external applicants, it falls under direct recruitment. This approach brings in new perspectives and skills.
• Ordinary recruitment is a vague term and does not specifically define the scope of candidate eligibility (internal vs. external, or open to all).
• Recruitment by promotion specifically refers to filling higher positions with existing employees who are promoted from within the organization. This contradicts the idea of positions being
  

When developing countries, including Pakistan, formulate their policies, a critical consideration is the institutional framework. This refers to the established laws, regulations, organizations, and norms that govern society and the economy. Strengthening institutions is paramount for effective governance, ensuring the rule of law, promoting economic stability, and delivering public services efficiently. Policies are often designed to build capacity within these institutions, improve their transparency, and enhance their accountability, which are foundational for sustainable development and good governance.

• Sovereignty, while a fundamental attribute of any independent nation, is a given status rather than a primary *consideration* in the *preparation* of specific policies. Policies are made by a sovereign state, but the focus of policy content often lies in institutional strengthening.
• Regional considerations are certainly important for foreign policy, trade, and security, but 'institutional' is a broader, more fundamental aspect that underpins the effectiveness of all types of policies, including regional ones.
• None of these is incorrect because 'Institutional' is a highly relevant and crucial factor in policy-making for developing nations.

Computer memory and storage are measured using units based on powers of 2, reflecting the binary nature of digital systems. The correct answer is 1 MB.

In the binary system used by computers, a kilobyte (KB) is precisely 2¹⁰ bytes, which equals 1024 bytes. Similarly, a megabyte (MB) is precisely 2¹⁰ kilobytes. Therefore, 1024 KB is exactly equivalent to 1 MB. This relationship is a fundamental concept in understanding digital data storage and file sizes, distinguishing it from the decimal (base-10) system where 'kilo' typically means 1000.

• 10 MB is incorrect; 1024 KB is only one-tenth of 10 MB.
• 100 MB is incorrect; this is a much larger unit, 100 times 1 MB.
• 1000 MB is incorrect; 1000 MB is approximately 1 Gigabyte (GB), not 1 MB.

The question asks which country declared total independence from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in 2017. The correct answer is Bolivia.

• Under the presidency of Evo Morales, Bolivia made a significant move towards economic sovereignty. In 2017, Bolivia officially announced its complete disengagement from the IMF and World Bank, ending decades of reliance on their loans and conditional policies. This decision was part of a broader strategy to pursue independent economic development and reduce foreign influence.
• Option A, Greece, is incorrect. Greece has been heavily reliant on financial assistance packages from the IMF, European Union, and European Central Bank, particularly during its severe debt crisis in the 2010s, and has not declared independence.
• Option C, Argentina, is incorrect. While Argentina has had a complex and often strained relationship with the IMF, including defaulting on loans, it has not declared total independence and has engaged in new agreements and negotiations with the institution in recent years.
• Option D, Türkiye (Turkey), is incorrect. While Turkey has reduced its reliance on IMF loans over time, it has not declared total independence from these institutions in 2017 and continues to interact with them on various economic matters.

Bolivia's declaration marked a unique stance against traditional international financial governance.

Public Personnel Management systems are designed to govern the recruitment, development, and retention of civil servants. These systems are typically based on certain foundational principles that dictate how individuals are selected and advanced within the public sector. The question asks about the basis of Public Personnel Management in Pakistan.

• Merit is the correct answer. Pakistan's public personnel management system, particularly its civil service, is officially based on the principle of merit. This means that selection, promotion, and career progression are intended to be determined by an individual's qualifications, skills, knowledge, and performance, rather than personal connections or political affiliations. This system aims to ensure competence and fairness in public service.
• The Spoils system involves appointing individuals to public office based on their loyalty to a winning political party, often leading to unqualified appointments and corruption. This is contrary to the stated principles of Pakistan's civil service.
• The Patronage system is similar to the spoils system, where appointments are made based on personal connections, favors, or influence rather than merit. While informal patronage might exist in any system, it is not the official or intended basis of public personnel management in Pakistan.
• None of these is incorrect because 'Merit' accurately describes the intended foundation of Pakistan's public personnel management.

In Pakistan, General Elections are held after every 5 years. This duration is constitutionally mandated for the National Assembly, which is the lower house of Pakistan's bicameral parliament. According to Article 52 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the National Assembly, unless dissolved earlier, completes its term after five years from the date of its first meeting. Following the expiry of this term, general elections must be held within 60 days to elect new representatives. This five-year cycle provides a stable period for governments to implement their manifestos and policies.

• 4 years is a common electoral term in some other democratic countries, such as the United States for presidential elections, but it is not the term length in Pakistan.
• 6 years is typically the term for senators in some countries, like the United States, but not for general elections for the National Assembly in Pakistan.
• 3 years would be an unusually short electoral cycle for a parliamentary democracy, potentially leading to political instability and insufficient time for governments to achieve their objectives.

Software is broadly categorized into system software and application software. System software manages the computer's hardware and basic operations, while application software helps users perform specific tasks. The correct answer is Application software.

Microsoft Word is a word processing program designed to enable users to create, edit, format, and print documents. Its primary purpose is to assist users in accomplishing a specific task (document creation), which is the defining characteristic of application software. It runs on top of an operating system and provides tools for productivity and creativity.

• An Operating system (like Windows or macOS) is system software that manages computer resources and provides a platform for applications to run. MS Word is not an OS; it runs *on* one.
• An Output device (like a monitor or printer) is hardware used to display or present information to the user. MS Word is software, not a physical device.
• A Window is a graphical user interface element that displays an application or document. While MS Word operates within a window, it is the application itself, not merely the display frame.

The question asks for the founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. The correct answer is Muhammad Yunus.

• Muhammad Yunus is a renowned Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He is widely recognized for pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance. In 1983, he founded Grameen Bank in Bangladesh with the mission to provide small loans (microcredit) to impoverished individuals, particularly women, who lack collateral and are typically excluded from traditional banking services. His innovative approach aimed at alleviating poverty and empowering the poor through financial inclusion.
• Option B, Aun Muhammad, is incorrect. There is no prominent figure by this name associated with the founding of Grameen Bank.
• Option C, Muhammad Zaheer, is incorrect. This name is not linked to the establishment or leadership of Grameen Bank.
• Option D, Muhammad Shahsheer, is incorrect. This individual is not known for founding Grameen Bank or for significant contributions to microfinance.

Muhammad Yunus's work with Grameen Bank has had a profound global impact on poverty reduction and economic development, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

Governments establish various institutions to ensure accountability and provide avenues for citizens to address grievances against public administration. These bodies act as checks and balances, protecting individuals from potential maladministration or injustice by government organizations. The question specifically asks about the office that handles disputes between government organizations and individuals.

• The Ombudsman is the correct answer. An Ombudsman is an independent, impartial official, typically appointed by the legislature or government, whose primary role is to investigate complaints made by individuals against public authorities or government departments. They act as a watchdog, ensuring fair administrative practices and resolving disputes between citizens and the state.
• The Auditor General is responsible for auditing the financial accounts of government departments and public sector organizations. Their role is to ensure financial accountability and proper use of public funds, not to resolve individual disputes or grievances against administrative actions.
• A State Office is a very general term and does not refer to a specific institution designed to deal with disputes between government organizations and individuals. It could refer to any government department or agency.
• None of these is incorrect because the Ombudsman precisely fits the description of an office dealing with such disputes.

The current Chief Minister of Sindh is Murad Ali Shah. Syed Murad Ali Shah is a prominent politician belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and has served multiple terms as the head of the provincial government in Sindh. As Chief Minister, he is responsible for the administration, development, and law and order within the province, overseeing various departments and implementing provincial policies. His leadership reflects the PPP's strong political presence and electoral success in the Sindh province.

• Usman Buzdar was the former Chief Minister of Punjab, not Sindh. He belonged to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
• Qaim Ali Shah was also a former Chief Minister of Sindh, preceding Murad Ali Shah. He is a veteran leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
• Sarfaraz Bugti is the current Chief Minister of Balochistan, another province of Pakistan, and not Sindh. These distractors represent other significant political figures or former officeholders in Pakistan.

This problem requires finding three consecutive even natural numbers that sum to 78. Consecutive even natural numbers are integers that follow each other, differing by 2 (e.g., 2, 4, 6). Natural numbers are positive integers. Let the smallest even natural number be x. The next two consecutive even numbers will be x + 2 and x + 4.

Setting up the equation for their sum: x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 78. Simplifying, we get 3x + 6 = 78. Subtracting 6 from both sides gives 3x = 72. Dividing by 3, we find x = 24. Thus, the three numbers are 24, 26, and 28. Their sum is 24 + 26 + 28 = 78, confirming the solution. The greatest number among them is 28, making option D correct.

The other options are incorrect because they do not satisfy the conditions:

• A: 22 - If 22 were the greatest, the sequence would be 18, 20, 22, summing to 60 (too low).
• B: 24 - If 24 were the greatest, the sequence would be 20, 22, 24, summing to 66 (too low). 24 is the smallest number in the correct sequence.
• C: 26 - If 26 were the greatest, the sequence would be 22, 24, 26, summing to 72 (too low). 26 is the middle number in the correct sequence.

The question identifies Nagorno-Karabakh as a disputed region and asks which countries are involved in the dispute. The correct answer is Armenia and Azerbaijan.

• Nagorno-Karabakh is an ethnically Armenian-populated region that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over this territory dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union and has led to multiple wars and ongoing tensions. The conflict is rooted in historical claims, ethnic identity, and territorial integrity, with significant fighting occurring in the early 1990s and again in 2020 and 2023.
• Option B, Armenia and Turkey, is incorrect. While Turkey is a strong ally of Azerbaijan and has historically strained relations with Armenia, it is not a direct claimant to the Nagorno-Karabakh territory itself.
• Option C, Azerbaijan and Turkey, is incorrect. These two countries share close cultural and political ties and are allies, not disputing the Nagorno-Karabakh region between themselves.
• Option D, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, is incorrect. Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country with no direct involvement or territorial claims in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The conflict remains a significant geopolitical flashpoint in the South Caucasus region.

Economists use various metrics to quantify and compare the economic activity and health of nations. These measures provide insights into a country's production, income, and overall economic performance. The question asks for the most common way to express the size of a nation's economy.

• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the correct answer. GDP is the most widely recognized and utilized measure of a country's economic size. It represents the total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's geographical borders over a specific period, typically a year or a quarter. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of a nation's economic output.
• Per capita income measures the average income earned per person in a given area in a specified year. While it indicates the standard of living or economic well-being of the average citizen, it does not represent the overall size or total output of the economy.
• GNP (Gross National Product) measures the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents, regardless of where they are located. While related to economic size, GDP is generally preferred for measuring the economic activity *within* a country's borders, making it the more common indicator for the 'size of a nation's economy'.
• CPI (Consumer Price Index) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. It is used to gauge inflation and the cost of living, not the overall size of the economy.

Mount Logan, the highest mountain in Canada and the second-highest peak in North America, is located in Canada. This majestic mountain is situated within Kluane National Park and Reserve in southwestern Yukon. It is part of the Saint Elias Mountains, a range known for its immense glaciers and rugged terrain. Mount Logan is renowned for its vast base and extensive mass, making it one of the most significant geographical features of the Canadian wilderness and a challenging destination for mountaineers.

• Russia is home to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, but not Mount Logan. Russia has extensive mountain ranges, but Mount Logan is not among them.
• The US contains Denali (Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America, but Mount Logan is distinctly Canadian. The US has many significant mountains, but not this specific one.
• Nepal is famous for the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. However, Mount Logan is not located in Nepal; it is part of a completely different mountain system on another continent.

This problem tests your understanding of ratios and algebraic substitution. The foundational concept is that if two ratios are equal, they can be set to a common constant, allowing you to express the variables in terms of that constant. Given the equation a/3 = b/2, we can introduce a constant, say 'k', such that a/3 = b/2 = k. This implies that a = 3k and b = 2k.

To find the value of the expression (2a + 3b)/(3a – 2b), we substitute these derived values of 'a' and 'b' into the expression:

• Numerator: 2a + 3b = 2(3k) + 3(2k) = 6k + 6k = 12k
• Denominator: 3a – 2b = 3(3k) – 2(2k) = 9k – 4k = 5k

Therefore, the expression becomes (12k)/(5k). Since 'k' is a non-zero constant, it cancels out, leaving us with 12/5. This confirms that option A is the correct answer.

The other options are incorrect because they result from miscalculations: B: 5/12 is the reciprocal of the correct answer, possibly from inverting the final fraction. C: 3/2 and D: 2/3 might arise from incorrectly simplifying the initial ratio or making errors during substitution, such as cancelling terms prematurely or incorrectly combining coefficients.

The question asks about the country of origin for Gamal Abdul Nasser. The correct answer is Egypt.

• Gamal Abdul Nasser was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Arab history and served as the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death in 1970. He was a key leader of the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. Nasser championed Pan-Arabism, a political ideology advocating for the unification of Arab nations, and pursued policies of Arab socialism and non-alignment during the Cold War. His leadership during events like the Suez Crisis solidified his status as a prominent Arab nationalist leader.
• Option A, Syria, is incorrect. While Nasser was instrumental in the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) with Syria from 1958 to 1961, he was fundamentally an Egyptian leader.
• Option C, Jordan, is incorrect. Jordan is a separate Arab kingdom, and Nasser was never its leader.
• Option D, Palestine, is incorrect. While Nasser was a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and an advocate for Palestinian rights, he was not from Palestine but from Egypt.

Nasser's legacy profoundly shaped modern Egypt and the broader Arab world.