PPSC Past Papers 2025

The pancreas is the key gland described, playing a crucial role in digestion. It produces a wide array of digestive enzymes (amylase for carbohydrates, lipase for fats, and proteases for proteins) and secretes bicarbonate.

• The bicarbonate neutralizes the acidic chyme entering the small intestine from the stomach, creating an optimal pH for the pancreatic enzymes to function effectively.
• The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, which aids in fat digestion, but does not produce enzymes or bicarbonate.
• The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, not digestion.
• The liver produces bile and performs numerous metabolic functions, but it does not produce the specific digestive enzymes and bicarbonate mentioned.

The IF function in Excel is designed to perform a logical test and return a value based on the result. It allows you to specify a condition; if the condition is true, it returns one value, and if false, it returns another.

• Option B, 'To add up a range of cells,' describes the SUM function.
• Option C, 'To find the average of a range of cells,' describes the AVERAGE function.
• Option D, 'To count the number of cells in a range,' describes the COUNT or COUNTA function.

The IF function is fundamental for creating dynamic and conditional spreadsheets.

Derawar Fort is a magnificent historical landmark situated in the Cholistan Desert, near Bahawalpur in the Punjab province of Pakistan. This impressive square fortress, with its forty bastions, stands as a prominent testament to the region's rich cultural and architectural heritage. Its remote desert location adds to its unique charm and historical significance.

• The Thar Desert is located further south and east.
• The Sulaiman Range is a mountain range in western Pakistan.
• The Kharan Desert is found in Balochistan.

These are distinct geographical areas, making them incorrect options.

The Khunjerab Pass serves as a vital international border crossing between Pakistan and China. Located at a high altitude in the Karakoram Mountains, it is renowned as the highest paved international border crossing globally. This pass is an integral part of the Karakoram Highway, facilitating significant trade, tourism, and strategic connectivity between the two nations.

• India shares a border with Pakistan to the east, not through Khunjerab.
• Afghanistan borders Pakistan to the west.
• Iran shares a border with Pakistan to the southwest.

These countries are geographically distinct from the Khunjerab region.

During winter, Punjab, Pakistan, is primarily affected by Western Disturbances. These are extratropical storm systems originating in the Mediterranean Sea, which travel eastward, bringing crucial winter rainfall and occasional snowfall to northern Pakistan and parts of India. These disturbances are vital for the region's winter crops and water reservoirs.

• Monsoon winds occur during summer.
• Sea Breeze is a localized coastal phenomenon.
• Tropical Cyclones are rare in winter and primarily affect coastal areas, not inland Punjab.

Therefore, Western Disturbances are the correct climatic influence.

This question tests knowledge of Pakistani history, specifically its early political leadership.

• Correct Option C (Iskandar Mirza): Iskandar Mirza holds the historical distinction of being the first President of Pakistan. He assumed office when Pakistan became a republic in 1956 and served until 1958.
• Distractor A (Ayub Khan): Ayub Khan became the second President of Pakistan, succeeding Iskandar Mirza.
• Distractor B (Liaqat Ali Khan): Liaqat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first Prime Minister, not its first President.
• Distractor D (Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto): Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto served as President and later Prime Minister much later in Pakistan's history.

The human body has 31 pairs of spinal nerves, which are part of the peripheral nervous system and emerge from the spinal cord. These are categorized into 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal pair. Each pair serves specific regions of the body, transmitting sensory and motor information. Option A, '12 pairs', refers to the cranial nerves, which originate from the brain, not the spinal cord. Option B, '24 pairs', is incorrect and does not correspond to any recognized number of nerve pairs. Option D, '33', is closer to the number of vertebrae, not the pairs of spinal nerves.

Lahore is the largest contributor to Punjab's GDP due to its status as the provincial capital and a major economic hub. Its economy is highly diversified, encompassing significant contributions from manufacturing, services, trade, and finance, supported by extensive infrastructure and a large population.

• Rawalpindi, while economically important, primarily serves as a military hub and a twin city to Islamabad, with a smaller overall economic footprint compared to Lahore.
• Multan is a significant agricultural and industrial center but lacks the broad economic diversification and scale of Lahore.
• Faisalabad is known as the 'Manchester of Pakistan' for its textile industry, yet its economic contribution, though substantial, is more specialized and does not surpass Lahore's comprehensive economic output.

The study of agriculture is known as Agronomy. This scientific field focuses on the production and use of plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation, encompassing soil management, crop production, and farming practices. Agronomy integrates principles from various sciences to improve agricultural efficiency and sustainability. Option A, 'Entomology', is the study of insects. Option B, 'Botany', is the broader scientific study of plants, but agronomy specifically applies plant science to agriculture. Option D, 'Zoology', is the scientific study of animals.

The Rawal Dam, a crucial water reservoir for Islamabad and Rawalpindi, was constructed and completed in 1962. This foundational infrastructure project was vital for meeting the water supply needs of the rapidly developing capital region.

• Options A (1955), C (1971), and D (1980) are incorrect years for the completion of Rawal Dam. The dam's construction was a significant undertaking in the early 1960s, making 1962 the accurate completion date.

According to the Constitution of Pakistan, specifically Article 177, a person must have been an advocate of a High Court for at least 15 years to be eligible for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court. This foundational legal requirement ensures that individuals appointed to the highest court possess extensive legal experience and a deep understanding of the law.

• Options like 10, 20, or 25 years are incorrect as they do not align with the precise constitutional provisions governing judicial appointments in Pakistan. The 15-year threshold is a specific criterion designed to maintain the high standards of the Supreme Court judiciary.

An investigation officer must include a summary of the investigation, key actions taken, and progress made in the daily investigation diary. This diary is a critical legal document that provides a factual and objective record of the investigative process, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Only the names of the suspects is insufficient, as the diary needs to detail the entire investigative journey.
• Personal opinions and reflections about the case are inappropriate and can compromise the objectivity and admissibility of the diary as evidence.
• Information unrelated to the investigation is irrelevant and should not be included, as it detracts from the diary's purpose.

The punishment for a person who lodges frivolous or false whistleblower information is severe to deter misuse of the system. The correct penalty is imprisonment for up to two years or a fine up to two hundred thousand rupees, or both. This provision is crucial for maintaining the integrity of whistleblower protection mechanisms and preventing malicious complaints.

• Imprisonment for up to one year is too lenient and does not match the specified legal consequences.
• Fine up to one hundred thousand rupees only is incomplete, as it omits the imprisonment aspect and the full fine amount.
• No punishment if the information is false is incorrect; false information can lead to serious legal repercussions to protect individuals from baseless accusations and ensure accountability.

Article 10 of the Constitution of Pakistan is the correct answer, as it specifically deals with safeguards regarding arrest and detention. It guarantees fundamental rights such as the right to be informed of the grounds for arrest, the right to legal representation, and the requirement to produce an arrested person before a magistrate within 24 hours. These provisions are crucial for protecting individual liberties against arbitrary state action.

• Article 57 relates to the right of members to speak in Parliament.
• Article 93 concerns the appointment of an acting Prime Minister.
• Article 107 pertains to the duration of Provincial Assemblies.

These other articles address different aspects of constitutional law and are not related to the safeguards concerning arrest and detention.

The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), established under the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Act 2024, is primarily an enforcement body. Its core mandate involves ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations. Therefore, its powers are centered on active enforcement measures, which include the power to conduct inspections, searches, seizures, and arrests to investigate and address violations effectively.

• The power to levy taxes is typically a function of revenue authorities or legislative bodies.
• The power to regulate trade policies falls under economic ministries.
• While PERA enforces regulations, the broad power to grant licenses is usually vested in specific licensing departments, not the primary enforcement agency itself.

Section 106 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is the correct provision that deals with security for keeping the peace on conviction. This section empowers a court, upon convicting a person of certain offenses, to order them to execute a bond, with or without sureties, to maintain peace for a specified period. This is a preventive measure to deter future breaches of peace by convicted individuals.

• Section 105 relates to the procedure for issuing summons.
• Section 109 deals with security for good behavior from suspected persons or vagrants.
• Section 111 outlines the procedure for issuing an order when a Magistrate acts under Sections 107, 108, 109, or 110.

Thus, Section 106 specifically addresses security requirements post-conviction.

In Pakistan, a First Information Report (FIR) is officially lodged under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This foundational section mandates that any information regarding the commission of a cognizable offense, if given orally to a police officer in charge of a station, must be reduced to writing and signed by the informant. It is the crucial first step that initiates a criminal investigation.

• Section 302 pertains to the punishment for murder under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), not the lodging of an FIR.
• Section 144 grants powers to a District Magistrate to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger.
• Section 182 deals with providing false information to a public servant.

Therefore, Section 154 is the specific legal basis for registering an FIR.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign rally in July 2024 took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. This event was a significant and widely reported incident in recent U.S. political history. The question specifically asks for the state where this particular event occurred.

• Texas, Florida, and Ohio are all states where political rallies are frequently held, and Donald Trump has campaigned in all of them. However, they were not the location of this specific assassination attempt.

Based on factual reporting of the incident, Pennsylvania is the correct and precise answer for the location of this notable event.

According to Article 7 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), the term "State" is broadly defined to include the Federal Government, Provincial Governments, and Local Authorities, along with Parliament and Provincial Assemblies. This comprehensive definition ensures that all levels of governance are constitutionally recognized and accountable. Distractor "Only the Prime Minister and President" is too narrow, representing only parts of the executive. "Only Federal Government" is incomplete, ignoring provincial and local tiers. "Judiciary, Press, and International Organizations" incorrectly includes non-state entities like the press and international bodies, making it largely inaccurate.

The Indus Basin is unequivocally the most fertile region of Pakistan. This vast plain is irrigated by the Indus River and its numerous tributaries, which deposit rich alluvial soils, making it exceptionally productive for agriculture. It forms the agricultural heartland of the country, supporting a significant portion of its population and food security. In contrast,

• The Thar Desert is arid and infertile.
• The Balochistan Plateau is largely barren and rocky.
• The Karakoram Range is a high-altitude, cold, and mountainous terrain unsuitable for extensive farming.

The correct answer is the Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in a province of Pakistan. This individual is responsible for the overall administration of the province, coordinating various government departments, and serving as the principal advisor to the Chief Minister on administrative matters. They play a pivotal role in implementing government policies and maintaining law and order.

• The Chief Minister is the elected head of the provincial government.
• The IG Police (Inspector General of Police) is the head of the provincial police force.
• The Governor is the constitutional head of the province, appointed by the President.

The primary use of an E-Construction Services Portal is to apply for permits and track approvals. These digital platforms are designed by government bodies to streamline the construction process by allowing individuals and businesses to submit applications for building permits, licenses, and other necessary regulatory approvals online. They also provide a mechanism to monitor the status of these applications, enhancing transparency and efficiency. Options B, 'Manage payroll', C, 'Equipment rentals', and D, 'Virtual tours', are functions typically handled by specialized business software, rental companies, or marketing tools, not the core purpose of a government E-Construction Services Portal.

The correct answer is Suppression of local crafts and traditions. British colonialism in Punjab, like in other parts of India, often led to the decline of indigenous industries and cultural practices. The British promoted their own manufactured goods, leading to the suppression of local handicrafts, and introduced educational and administrative systems that often marginalized traditional knowledge and customs, impacting the local economy and cultural identity.

• Promotion of local handicrafts and traditions is incorrect; British policies generally favored their own industrial output.
• Encouragement of indigenous education is incorrect; the British introduced their own educational system.
• Establishment of equal trade relations is incorrect; trade relations were structured to benefit the colonial power.

In Pakistan, Easy Paisa is widely recognized as one of the most used mobile apps for money transfers. Launched as a joint venture, it pioneered mobile banking services in the country, offering convenient ways to send and receive money, pay bills, and conduct other financial transactions through mobile phones and an extensive agent network. Its early market entry and widespread accessibility have cemented its position. While Option A, 'Jazz Cash', is also a very popular mobile financial service, Easy Paisa often holds a slightly larger market share for general money transfers. Options C, 'U Paisa', and D, 'NayaPay', are less dominant in the overall money transfer landscape.

The correct answer is Aurangzeb. The magnificent Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, one of the largest mosques in Pakistan and a prominent example of Mughal architecture, was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Its construction began in 1671 and was completed in 1673, reflecting the grandeur of the Mughal era.

• Akbar was an earlier Mughal emperor known for his architectural patronage, but not for the Badshahi Masjid.
• Jahangir, Akbar's son, also contributed to Mughal architecture but did not build this mosque.
• Shah Jahan, known for the Taj Mahal, was Aurangzeb's father and a prolific builder, but the Badshahi Masjid was built by Aurangzeb.