PPSC Past Papers 2026 Solved

The correct answer is M.A Bogra. The first cabinet of Pakistan was formed immediately after independence in 1947 under the leadership of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. Mohammad Ali Bogra was not part of this initial cabinet; he rose to political prominence later.

Composition of Pakistan's First Cabinet

• Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan: As the first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan headed the cabinet and held the defence and foreign affairs portfolios. He was the central figure of the new government.
• I.I. Chundrigar: Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar was a founding member and served as the Minister for Commerce and Industries in the first cabinet. He later became the sixth Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1957.
• Ghulam Muhammad: Malik Ghulam Muhammad was appointed as the Minister of Finance in the first cabinet. He later became the Governor-General of Pakistan in 1951, succeeding Khawaja Nazimuddin.
• Why M.A. Bogra is the Exception: Mohammad Ali Bogra was a diplomat serving abroad during the early years. He became the Prime Minister in 1953, six years after the first cabinet was formed. He was never a member of the original 1947 cabinet, unlike the other three figures.

Hence, M.A. Bogra was not a member of the first cabinet of Pakistan.

The correct answer is Tajikistan. The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow panhandle of Afghan territory that separates Pakistan's northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan from Tajikistan, effectively creating a bridge between South and Central Asia.

Geography of the Wakhan Corridor

• A Narrow Strip of Land: The Wakhan Corridor is approximately 350 km long and 13–65 km wide, stretching from northeastern Afghanistan to the border with China. It was created in the 19th century as a buffer zone between the British and Russian empires during the "Great Game."
• Connecting Pakistan and Tajikistan: To the south, the corridor shares a border with Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. To the north, it borders the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region of Tajikistan. Thus, the Wakhan Corridor directly separates and connects the two countries.
• Notable Neighbors: The eastern tip of the corridor touches the Xinjiang region of China, making it a strategic tri-junction. However, the corridor does not border Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan directly; those countries lie further north and west beyond Tajikistan.
• Strategic and Cultural Significance: The corridor follows the Wakhan River valley and is home to the Wakhi and Kyrgyz peoples. It remains one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions on earth, yet it is a crucial geographical link between Pakistan and Central Asia.

Thus, the Wakhan Corridor connects Pakistan with Tajikistan through Afghan territory.

The correct answer is Fish Industry. The coastal belt of Sindh and Balochistan, particularly around Karachi and the Makran coast, is the heart of Pakistan's fishing and seafood processing industry, which provides livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of people.

Dominance of the Fishing Industry

• Abundant Marine Resources: Pakistan's coastline stretches over 1,000 km, with rich fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea. The Karachi Fish Harbour is the largest and most modern in the country, handling a significant portion of the catch.
• Export and Processing Hubs: The seafood industry is a major export earner, with fish processing plants concentrated along the coasts of Korangi, Hawkesbay, and Gwadar. Fish products, including shrimp and frozen fish, are exported to China, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Employment and Local Economy: The fishing sector employs an estimated 1.5 million people directly and indirectly, making it the single largest coastal industry. Entire communities in Balochistan's Pasni, Jiwani, and Ormara depend on fishing.
• Comparison with Other Industries: While shipbuilding exists at the Karachi Shipyard and tourism is emerging along the Balochistan coast, neither matches the scale and economic impact of the fish industry. Salt mining occurs inland, not primarily along the coast.

Therefore, the largest industry near Karachi and the Balochistan coastal areas is the fish industry.

The correct answer is FIH Nation Cup. In December 2022, the Pakistan men's hockey team ended an 11-year drought without a major final by reaching the final of the inaugural FIH Hockey Men's Nations Cup in South Africa.

Pakistan's Return to a Hockey Final

• The Nations Cup 2022: The FIH Nations Cup is a tournament for the best-ranked teams outside the top-tier Pro League. The first edition was held in Potchefstroom, South Africa, from November 28 to December 4, 2022.
• Road to the Final: Pakistan topped its pool with wins over Canada and France and a draw against South Africa. In the semifinal, they defeated Malaysia 6–4 in a tense encounter to book a place in the final.
• The Final Against South Africa: In the championship match, Pakistan faced hosts South Africa. Despite a valiant effort, they lost 4–3 in a closely contested game, finishing as runners-up.
• Significance of the Achievement: Prior to this tournament, Pakistan's last appearance in a major international final was at the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy. Reaching the final revived hopes for the revival of Pakistan's golden hockey legacy.

Thus, after 11 years, Pakistan reached the final of the FIH Nations Cup.

The correct answer is Azerbaijan. In a landmark defense deal, Azerbaijan became the latest export customer of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex by signing an agreement to acquire 40 JF-17 Block-III multirole fighter jets in early 2025.

The JF-17 Deal with Azerbaijan

• Contract Details: The deal, reportedly worth approximately $1.6 billion, was finalized during high-level visits between Azerbaijani and Pakistani defense officials. It includes not only aircraft but also training, logistics, and weapon packages.
• JF-17 Thunder Block-III: The aircraft is an advanced variant jointly developed by Pakistan and China, featuring an AESA radar, upgraded avionics, a helmet-mounted display, and beyond-visual-range missile capability. It is a highly cost-effective modern combat platform.
• Strategic Implications: This agreement marks Pakistan's largest single export order for military aircraft and significantly strengthens the defense relationship between the two countries. It also gives Azerbaijan a modern air combat capability amid regional tensions.
• Why Not the Others?: Turkey is developing its own fifth-generation fighter (KAAN) and is not an import customer for JF-17. Qatar operates advanced Western jets like the Rafale and F-15, and Egypt has a diversified fleet but has not purchased JF-17s from Pakistan. Azerbaijan is the confirmed buyer in 2025.

Hence, the country that signed a deal to purchase 40 JF-17s from Pakistan in 2025 is Azerbaijan.

The correct answer is China. As of 2025, China continues to be the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan, primarily driven by the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and deep bilateral economic ties.

China\'s Dominance in Pakistan\'s FDI Landscape

• The CPEC Factor: Launched in 2015, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of China\'s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Under CPEC, China has pledged over $60 billion in investments, focusing on energy, infrastructure, and industrial cooperation. This massive inflow ensures China\'s top position in FDI.
• Key Sectors of Investment: Chinese investment has poured into coal, solar, wind, and hydropower plants to address Pakistan\'s energy crisis. Additionally, major road networks, the Gwadar Port, and Special Economic Zones are being developed with Chinese financing and technical assistance.
• Consistent Top Investor: For several consecutive fiscal years, China has accounted for the largest share of FDI in Pakistan. In recent years, Chinese net FDI has consistently exceeded that of other nations, making up over 30-40% of total inflows.
• Comparison with Other Countries: While the UAE is a significant investor, particularly in real estate, banking, and telecom sectors, its total FDI stock does not surpass China\'s. The USA and Saudi Arabia have historically been important partners, with Saudi Arabia recently showing increased interest under its Vision 2030, but neither matches the scale of Chinese investment as of 2025.
• Strategic Depth: Beyond purely economic returns, China\'s investment in Pakistan is rooted in strategic connectivity, securing energy routes, and fostering regional stability. This long-term, state-backed approach ensures a sustained capital flow that private investment from other nations cannot easily replicate.

Therefore, China holds the position of the country with the most foreign direct investment in Pakistan in 2025.

Pakistan exports the largest share of its textiles to the USA.

Market Share Breakdown

• United States (USA): The absolute top buyer, importing over $4 billion worth of Pakistani textiles annually according to global data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).
• Germany: Stands as the second-largest destination, purchasing approximately half the volume of the US market.
• United Kingdom (UK): Ranks third globally, trailing closely behind Germany in total imports.
• China: Primarily acts as a regional competitor and processing partner rather than a primary consumer of completed textile goods from Pakistan.

The European Union granted the GSP+ (Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus) status to Pakistan in the year 2014.

Key Details of the Status

• Effective Date: The trade incentive formally took effect on January 1, 2014, following a favorable vote in the European Parliament.
• Economic Impact: This special status allowed Pakistan to export more than 6,000 product tariff lines to the EU market at zero-percent import duties.
• Core Sectors: The textile and apparel industry has been the primary beneficiary, experiencing massive export growth to Europe because of this status.

The Federal Constitutional Court is formed by amending Article 175 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Key Architectural Changes

• Structural Insertion: Clause (1) of Article 175 was specifically amended to formally establish the "Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan" as a distinct court alongside the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• Jurisdictional Transfer: Following this structural overhaul, the constitutional and suo motu powers previously held by the Supreme Court under Article 184 were omitted and transferred over to this newly created court.

The correct answer is 2019. The Kartarpur Corridor, a historic visa-free border crossing between India and Pakistan, was officially inaugurated on November 9, 2019, to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

Historic Opening of the Kartarpur Corridor

• Inauguration Date: The corridor was formally opened on November 9, 2019, just days before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The timing was symbolic, marking a significant moment of interfaith harmony.
• Agreement and Construction: Both India and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2019 after rapid construction on both sides. Pakistan completed its side of the corridor, a 4.7 km road, in record time.
• Guru Nanak's Final Resting Place: The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab state to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab province, where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. The gurdwara is one of the holiest sites for Sikhs worldwide.
• Visa-Free Pilgrimage: Indian pilgrims are allowed to visit without a visa, using a special permit. The crossing operates daily, allowing up to 5,000 pilgrims per day. This landmark initiative has been described as a "Corridor of Peace."

Thus, the Kartarpur Corridor became operational in the year 2019.

The correct answer is Sana Mir. The former captain of the Pakistan women's cricket team, Sana Mir, was inducted into the prestigious ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in November 2024, making history as the first Pakistani female cricketer to receive this honour.

Sana Mir's Historic Induction

• Announcement in 2024: Sana Mir was named as one of the inductees in the ICC Hall of Fame Class of 2024. She was honoured alongside Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga and South African batting great Hashim Amla.
• Pioneering Captain: Mir led the Pakistan women's team with distinction from 2009 to 2017. Under her leadership, Pakistan won two Asian Games gold medals (2010 and 2014) and reached the finals of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier.
• Exceptional All-Rounder: A right-arm off-spin bowler and a reliable middle-order batter, she was the first Pakistani woman to take 100 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). She also captained the side in two World Cups and several World T20s.
• Why the Others are Incorrect: Belinda Clark (Australia) was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier (2011) for her legendary career. Mithali Raj and Ellyse Perry, while among the greatest female cricketers, had not been inducted at the time Sana Mir received the honour. Perry is still an active player and therefore not yet eligible.

Thus, the female player recently added to the ICC Hall of Fame is Pakistan's Sana Mir.