PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

The question asks about the provincial location of Gwadar Port, a vital maritime asset for Pakistan.

• Correct Option D: Balochistan is accurate because Gwadar Port is strategically situated on the Arabian Sea coast within the southwestern region of Balochistan province. This deep-sea port is a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
• Distractor A: Punjab is an inland province, lacking any coastline or port facilities.
• Distractor B: Sindh is a coastal province and home to major ports like Karachi, but Gwadar is geographically located in Balochistan.
• Distractor C: KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) is a landlocked, northwestern province, far from any maritime access.

Knowing Pakistan's provincial geography is fundamental to correctly identifying the location of its key infrastructure projects.

Sikaram is recognized as the highest peak of the Koh-e-Safaid mountain range, also known as Spīn Ghar. This range is situated on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Identifying the highest peaks within specific mountain ranges is a key aspect of physical geography.

• The Karakoram is a major mountain range with its own distinct highest peaks, such as K2, not Sikaram.
• The Koh-e-Suleman (Sulaiman Mountains) is another range in Pakistan and Afghanistan, whose highest point is Takht-e-Sulaiman.
• The Hindu Kush is a separate mountain system, with Tirich Mir being its highest peak, not Sikaram.

Calculating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) involves a straightforward percentage calculation. The foundational concept is to find a percentage of a given amount. Saleem bought a car for Rs. 875,000, and the GST rate is 17%. To find the amount of tax paid, you multiply the original price by the GST rate.

• Tax paid = 875,000 * 17% = 875,000 * (17/100) = 8750 * 17 = Rs. 148,750 (A).
• Options 138838 (B), 144321 (C), and 130832 (D) are incorrect. These values would result from miscalculations of the percentage or applying the percentage to an incorrect base amount, such as a discounted price or a misinterpretation of the tax calculation method.

محاورہ "شیطان کی آنت ہونا" اس چیز یا کام کے لیے بولا جاتا ہے جو غیر معمولی طور پر بہت طویل ہو، ختم ہونے کا نام نہ لے یا مسلسل جاری رہے۔ اس کا تعلق شرارت یا بھوک سے نہیں بلکہ طوالت اور لامتناہی ہونے سے ہے۔

Why the other options are incorrect:

• بھوکا ہونا: یہ اس محاورے کا مفہوم نہیں ہے۔
• شرارتی ہونا: شرارت کا تعلق اس محاورے سے نہیں بلکہ یہ ایک الگ صفت ہے۔
• ان میں سے کوئی نہیں: درست جواب طویل ہونا موجود ہے، اس لیے یہ اختیار غلط ہے۔

This question delves into the historical acquisition of Gwadar Port by Pakistan.

• Correct Option A: Oman is accurate. Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman in 1958. This acquisition was a significant step in expanding Pakistan's coastline and maritime strategic depth.
• Distractor B: Qatar is a Gulf state but was not involved in the sale of Gwadar.
• Distractor C: Saudi Arabia is a major Middle Eastern country, but it did not own or sell Gwadar to Pakistan.
• Distractor D: UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a federation of emirates in the Persian Gulf, distinct from Oman, and was not the seller.

Understanding the historical context of Gwadar's transfer is crucial for comprehending its current geopolitical significance.

Gangkhar Puensum, famously known as the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, is located in Bhutan. Bhutan has a unique policy that prohibits mountaineering above 6,000 meters due to spiritual beliefs, which contributes to the mountain's unclimbed status. This highlights the intersection of geography and cultural practices.

• Nepal is home to many of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest, but Gangkhar Puensum is not within its borders.
• India also possesses significant mountain ranges, but Gangkhar Puensum is not located there.
• While China shares a border with Bhutan near the mountain, Gangkhar Puensum itself is considered to be in Bhutan.

The correct answer utilizes prepositions appropriately for both time and place, adhering to standard English usage.

• 'on holiday' is a widely accepted British English idiom, signifying participation in a holiday period. Using 'in holiday' would be grammatically incorrect.
• 'in June' correctly employs 'in' for specifying months, seasons, and years. The preposition 'on' is typically reserved for more specific dates or individual days.
• 'on the wall' is the accurate choice for indicating something's position on a vertical surface. 'Along' would imply movement or extension parallel to the wall, which does not fit the context of hanging pictures.

Therefore, the combination 'on, in, on' is the only option that aligns with the conventional rules of English preposition usage in these specific contexts, demonstrating a foundational understanding of these common phrases.

Literary titles and epithets are often bestowed upon prominent figures based on their significant contributions and stylistic similarities to renowned international personalities. آغا حشر کاشمیری (Agha Hashar Kashmiri) is widely recognized as the "Indian Shakespeare" due to his profound impact on Urdu drama.

• Option B, آغا حشر کاشمیری, is correct because his prolific writing, complex plots, poetic language, and tragic themes mirrored Shakespeare's dramatic genius and influence.
• Option A, مولانا الطاف حسین حالی, was a celebrated poet and critic, not primarily a playwright, making this option incorrect.
• Option C, امیر خسرو, was a legendary 13th-century poet and musician, predating modern drama, thus he is not the "Indian Shakespeare."
• Option D is incorrect as option B is the accurate answer.

Brazil is a global pioneer and leader in the successful use of alcohol (ethanol) as a motor fuel. The country launched its Proálcool program in the 1970s in response to global oil crises, developing a robust industry for producing ethanol from sugarcane. This initiative led to widespread adoption of flex-fuel vehicles and significantly reduced Brazil's reliance on imported oil, making it a model for sustainable biofuel use.

• Japan has explored alternative fuels but has not adopted alcohol fuel on the same widespread, successful scale as Brazil.

• The US uses ethanol, primarily from corn, blended with gasoline (e.g., E10, E85), but Brazil's program is more comprehensive and historically successful in replacing gasoline entirely.

• Germany also explores biofuels but does not have the same extensive and successful history with pure alcohol as motor fuel as Brazil.

The question refers to a significant urban development project by Saudi Arabia. NEOM is a groundbreaking futuristic mega-city project announced by Saudi Arabia in 2017. It is strategically located in the Tabuk Province, stretching along the Red Sea coast, and is a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan for economic diversification and sustainable development. NEOM is envisioned as a smart, sustainable, and innovative hub.

• Tabuk is an existing city and province, not a newly founded mega-city in the same context as NEOM.
• Asir is a mountainous region in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, not on the Red Sea coast.

Therefore, NEOM is the correct answer, representing Saudi Arabia's ambitious new city on the Red Sea shores.

The Declaration of American Independence, a foundational document of the United States, was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. As a member of the Committee of Five, he was tasked with drafting the initial version. His eloquent prose articulated the colonies' grievances against British rule and their philosophical justification for independence, drawing on Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and self-governance. The document was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

• Milton (John Milton) was an English poet from the 17th century, famous for

The Arcadia Education Project in South Kanarchor, Bangladesh, was indeed awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Architecture Award in 2019. This remarkable project, designed by Saif Ul Haque Sthapati, was recognized for its innovative and sustainable approach to building a school in a flood-prone area. It ingeniously utilizes local materials and traditional construction techniques, demonstrating architectural excellence that profoundly addresses environmental challenges and community needs. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture celebrates projects that successfully blend modern design with cultural context, addressing the needs and aspirations of Muslim societies worldwide.

• India, Sri Lanka, and Iran are incorrect because the specific project mentioned, known for its unique design and environmental adaptability, is definitively located in Bangladesh.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is historically recognized for his pivotal role in the abolition of slavery. During the American Civil War, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared millions of enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. He then championed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which formally abolished slavery throughout the entire United States in 1865, marking a monumental shift in American society.

• Thomas Jefferson, while authoring the Declaration of Independence, was a slave owner and did not abolish slavery during his presidency.

• George Washington, the first President, was also a slave owner and did not abolish slavery during his term.

• Stanley Jackson is not a recognized President of the United States.

The school of Dars-e-Nizamia in Indo-Pak was founded by Mulla Nizam-ud-Din Sihalvi. Mulla Nizam-ud-Din (1677-1748) formalized and popularized this comprehensive curriculum of Islamic studies at Firangi Mahal in Lucknow. Dars-e-Nizamia became the standard educational framework for madrasas across the Indian subcontinent, integrating rational sciences like logic, philosophy, and mathematics with traditional Islamic subjects such as Quranic studies, Hadith, and Fiqh. Its influence shaped Islamic education for centuries.

• Sheikh Sirhindi was a prominent Sufi reformer from an earlier period, known for his efforts to purify Islam, not for founding Dars-e-Nizamia.
• Fareed-ud-din Atar was a Persian Sufi poet from the 12th-13th century, unrelated to this curriculum's development in Indo-Pak.

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, New York City, United States. It is a world-renowned symbol of freedom and democracy, gifted to the United States by the people of France.

• New York is the correct answer because the statue is prominently located in New York Harbor.
• Paris is incorrect; while France gifted the statue, it is not located in Paris.
• Washington is incorrect; Washington D.C. is the capital but not the location of the Statue of Liberty.
• Geneva is incorrect; Geneva is a city in Switzerland and has no connection to the Statue of Liberty.

On 12th September 1956, Hussain Shaheed Suharwardy assumed the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was a prominent Bengali politician and lawyer who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan from September 12, 1956, to October 17, 1957. His tenure was significant for the adoption of Pakistan's first constitution in 1956, which established the country as an Islamic Republic. Suhrawardy played a crucial role in shaping the early political landscape of Pakistan.

• Ch. Muhammad Ali was Suhrawardy's predecessor, serving until September 1956.
• Muhammad Ali Bogra served as Prime Minister earlier, from 1953 to 1955.
• Feroz Khan Noon succeeded Suhrawardy, becoming Prime Minister in December 1957.

Rabia Basri, also known as Rabia al-Adawiyya, was an influential female Muslim saint and Sufi mystic. Her life and teachings significantly impacted early Sufism, emphasizing divine love and asceticism.

• 96 AH is the most widely accepted birth year for Rabia Basri, corresponding to approximately 712-717 CE. This makes option A the accurate choice based on historical consensus.
• 101 AH, 111 AH, and 88 AH are incorrect dates. While exact dates for historical figures from that era can sometimes vary slightly, 96 AH is consistently cited as her birth year, making the other options historically inaccurate.

The Delhi Agreement was a crucial trilateral agreement signed on August 28, 1973, between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This agreement aimed to resolve the humanitarian issues that arose following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Its primary objective was the repatriation of prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian internees held by India and Pakistan, as well as the exchange of populations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. It marked a significant step towards normalizing relations in the subcontinent after the conflict.

• Afghanistan was not a party to this specific agreement, which focused on post-war issues between the three involved nations.
• China was also not a direct signatory to the Delhi Agreement, despite its broader geopolitical interests in the region.

In cricket, the pitch is the central strip of the cricket field where the main action of batting and bowling takes place. Its dimensions are strictly defined by the Laws of Cricket, which govern the game globally.

• The correct length of a cricket pitch is 22 yards (20.12 meters). This is a fundamental and unchanging rule of the sport, essential for fair play and consistent game mechanics.
• 20 yards, 24 yards, and 26 yards are incorrect measurements. Any deviation from the standard 22 yards would fundamentally alter the game, affecting bowling speeds, batting timing, and overall strategy.

Among the options, Birbal was the only prominent figure who accepted Emperor Akbar's syncretic religion, Din-i Ilahi. Din-i Ilahi, meaning "Divine Faith," was an attempt by Akbar to combine elements of various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity, into a new spiritual path. Birbal, one of Akbar's most trusted advisors and a celebrated wit in his court, openly embraced this new faith, demonstrating his loyalty and intellectual curiosity. Most other nobles, including Hindus, chose not to adopt it.

• Todar Mal, Akbar's finance minister, was known for his administrative reforms but did not accept Din-i Ilahi.
• Maan Singh, a powerful Rajput general, remained a devout Hindu and did not embrace the Din-i Ilahi.

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. Its name reflects the collective effort of nations working towards peace.

• Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd U.S. President, is credited with coining the term 'United Nations'. He first used it in the Declaration by United Nations on January 1, 1942, during World War II.
• Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, was a key ally but did not coin the name.
• Trygve Lie was the first Secretary-General of the UN, appointed after its formation.
• Charles de Gaulle was a prominent French leader but not associated with coining the UN name.

The Dehli Proposal, a significant set of demands put forth by Muslim leaders in 1927, was presented by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. These proposals aimed to secure separate electorates for Muslims in the central and provincial legislatures, along with other safeguards, in exchange for giving up the demand for separate electorates in Punjab and Bengal. Jinnah played a pivotal role in articulating Muslim political aspirations during this critical period.

Options 'Allama Iqbal' and 'Liaqat Ali Khan' are incorrect. While both were prominent Muslim leaders, Iqbal is renowned for his philosophical vision of a separate Muslim state and Liaqat Ali Khan for his role as Pakistan's first Prime Minister. However, the Dehli Proposal specifically originated from Jinnah's efforts to find a constitutional solution for Muslim representation.

François Bernier was a notable figure in the 17th century, recognized for his intellectual contributions and extensive travels. He was a French physician, philosopher, and traveler, best known for his detailed accounts of the Mughal Empire in India.

• France is the correct answer. Bernier was born in Joué-Etiau, Anjou, France, and his nationality is central to his identity as a European observer of Eastern cultures.
• China, Japan, and Italy are incorrect. While he traveled extensively, his origin was distinctly French, and his writings reflect a European perspective from that specific cultural background.

The annulment of the Partition of Bengal, which had divided the province in 1905, was officially declared by King George V during the Delhi Durbar in December 1911. This decision was a response to widespread political unrest and protests, particularly from Bengali nationalists, who viewed the partition as an attempt to weaken their unity and influence. The annulment aimed to appease the agitated population and restore stability.

Options 'King George IV' and 'Edward VII' are incorrect. King Edward VII was the reigning monarch when the partition occurred in 1905, but he did not annul it. King George IV reigned much earlier, from 1820 to 1830, long before the Partition of Bengal. Therefore, King George V is the correct historical figure associated with this significant event.

The Fall of Constantinople in 1453 is a seminal event that historians widely consider to mark the end of the Medieval History period and the beginning of the Early Modern era. This event saw the Ottoman Empire conquer the Byzantine capital, effectively ending the last remnant of the Roman Empire and profoundly impacting European trade, politics, and culture.

• A) Diplomatic history: While the fall had significant diplomatic repercussions, it doesn't define the entire historical period.
• C) Cultural history: It certainly influenced cultural shifts, but "Medieval History" is the broader chronological classification it concludes.
• D) Political history: It was a monumental political event, yet "Medieval History" encompasses the larger epoch that concluded with this fall.