PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

The question concerns the amount of the loan approved by the IMF for Pakistan under its Resilience & Sustainability Program. The correct answer is $1.3 billion.

• $1.3 billion: This is the specific amount that was approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Pakistan under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to support the country's climate resilience and sustainable development efforts.
• $2.3 billion, $3.3 billion, $5.3 billion: These amounts are incorrect figures for the specific loan under the Resilience & Sustainability Program. While Pakistan has received various loans and financial packages from the IMF, this particular program's approved amount was $1.3 billion.

Accurate knowledge of international financial aid packages is crucial for such questions.

The correct answer is Ghazipur. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Scientific Society in Ghazipur in 1863. The primary objective of this society was to translate Western scientific and literary works into Urdu, thereby promoting modern education and scientific knowledge among the Muslim community of British India.

• Delhi, Lahore, and Lucknow were important centers, but Ghazipur was the specific location for the establishment of the Scientific Society.

This initiative was a significant step in his educational reform movement.

The question asks for the rivers that border the Pothohar Plateau and Salt Range in Pakistan. The correct answer is Indus and Jhelum.

• Indus and Jhelum: The Pothohar Plateau and the Salt Range are geographically located between the Indus River to the west and the Jhelum River to the east. This region is known for its unique geological features and mineral resources.
• Indus and Ravi: The Ravi River is further east, not directly bordering the Pothohar Plateau and Salt Range on its eastern side.
• Jhelum and Ravi: This pair of rivers is located further east within Punjab, not encompassing the Pothohar Plateau and Salt Range.
• Jhelum and Chenab: The Chenab River is also further east, beyond the immediate eastern boundary of the Pothohar Plateau and Salt Range.

Understanding the geography of Pakistan's river systems is key to answering this question.

The correct answer is 1955. Orient Airways, which was the first airline of Pakistan, was nationalized and merged with the government's proposed airline to form Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in 1955. This marked the official establishment of Pakistan's national flag carrier.

• 1951, 1953, and 1961 are incorrect years for this specific transition and formation of PIA.

The creation of PIA was a significant development for Pakistan's aviation sector.

The correct answer is Wahdat al-Shuhud. Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, a prominent Sufi scholar and reformer, is known for advocating the philosophy of Wahdat al-Shuhud, or 'Unity of Apparentation/Phenomenalism'. This concept distinguished itself from Ibn Arabi's Wahdat al-Wajud ('Unity of Being'), emphasizing that the perceived unity between God and creation is one of experience or vision, not of actual ontological existence.

• Wahdat al-Wajud was a different Sufi philosophy.
• Secularism is a modern political philosophy unrelated to his theological work.
• None of these is incorrect as Wahdat al-Shuhud is directly attributed to him.

His philosophy had a profound impact on Islamic thought in India.

Understanding the geographical neighbors of countries is a fundamental concept in world geography. India is the correct answer as it shares its eastern border with Pakistan, extending from the Arabian Sea in the south to the Himalayas in the north. This extensive border is a significant geopolitical feature.

• China lies to Pakistan's northeast, primarily bordering the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
• Afghanistan is situated to Pakistan's northwest, sharing a long and often rugged border.
• Iran is located to Pakistan's west, forming a border that is largely desert and mountainous.

Each of these countries shares a distinct directional border with Pakistan, making India the sole eastern neighbor.

The correct answer is Sadruddin Hashwani. He is the visionary founder and chairman of the Hashoo Group, a prominent Pakistani conglomerate with diverse interests including hospitality, oil and gas, and real estate. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the establishment and growth of this significant business empire.

• Murtaza Hashwani, Shahnawaz Hashwani, and Zafar Hashwani are members of the Hashwani family and hold important positions within the group, contributing to its operations and expansion. However, Sadruddin Hashwani is recognized as the patriarch and owner who founded the group.

This question tests knowledge of major transboundary rivers in Asia. The Brahmaputra is the correct answer. Originating in the Himalayas of Tibet, China, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo, it flows through India (where it is called Brahmaputra) and then enters Bangladesh (where it is known as Jamuna) before merging with the Ganges and emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

• The Ganges primarily flows through India and Bangladesh, not China.
• The Yamuna is a major tributary of the Ganges, flowing entirely within India.
• The Indus originates in Tibet (China) and flows through India and Pakistan, but not Bangladesh.

Thus, the Brahmaputra is unique in its journey through all three specified countries.

The iconic patriotic song “Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan” was famously sung by Shahnaz Begum. Her powerful rendition made the song an enduring symbol of national pride and unity in Pakistan. Shahnaz Begum, a celebrated Bangladeshi singer, lent her voice to this memorable anthem.

• Noor Jehan, known as the 'Melody Queen,' was a legendary Pakistani singer but is not associated with the original rendition of this specific song.
• Abida Parveen is renowned for her Sufi music and ghazals.
• Nazia Hassan was a pioneer of Pakistani pop music.

The concept of 'Doabs' is crucial for understanding the geography of the Punjab region, where 'Doab' refers to the land between two confluent rivers. The name 'Chaj' (or Jech) is a portmanteau derived from the names of the rivers it lies between. Therefore, Chenab & Jhelum is the correct answer.

• The Doab between the Jhelum and Ravi rivers is known as the Rechna Doab (Ravi + Chenab, not Jhelum + Ravi).
• The Doab between the Chenab and Sutlej rivers would encompass multiple doabs, not a single named 'Chaj' doab.
• The Doab between the Indus and Chenab rivers is called the Sindh Sagar Doab.

The naming convention of these doabs helps identify the specific river pair.

The first Foreign Minister of Pakistan was Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan. He held this crucial portfolio from 1947 to 1954, playing a pivotal role in establishing Pakistan's foreign policy and representing the newly formed nation on the international stage, including at the United Nations.

• Liaquat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first Prime Minister.
• Zulfikar Ali Bhutto served as Foreign Minister much later in the 1960s and subsequently became Prime Minister.
• Khwaja Nazimuddin was the second Governor-General and later the second Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The Mami Khel gas field reserves are located in the southern part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. This region is known for its natural gas deposits, contributing significantly to the country's energy resources. Identifying the correct province is crucial for understanding Pakistan's energy geography and resource distribution.

• Punjab is a major agricultural province, but Mami Khel is not located there.
• Sindh is home to other significant gas fields like Qadirpur and Mari, but not Mami Khel.
• Balochistan also has large gas reserves, including the Sui gas field, but Mami Khel is specifically in KP.

The Agra Summit between India and Pakistan was held in 2001. This significant diplomatic meeting took place in July 2001, involving Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. The summit aimed to resolve long-standing bilateral issues, particularly the Kashmir dispute, though it ultimately concluded without a joint declaration.

• The years 1951, 1953, and 1955 are incorrect as they predate the Agra Summit by several decades. These earlier periods saw different phases of India-Pakistan relations and various diplomatic efforts, but not this specific summit.

Samiullah Khan, often referred to as 'The Flying Horse,' is a legendary Pakistani field hockey player. He was renowned for his exceptional speed and skill as a left-winger. His contributions were instrumental in Pakistan's success in international hockey during the 1970s and early 1980s, including winning the 1978 World Cup.

• Cricket, Football, and Badminton are popular sports, but Samiullah Khan's fame is exclusively linked to hockey.

The Gandhi–Irwin Pact, signed on March 5, 1931, effectively ended the Civil Disobedience Movement. This agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India, led to the suspension of the movement, which had commenced with the Dandi March in 1930. In return, the British government made certain concessions, and Gandhi agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference.

• The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911) was an earlier protest against the partition of Bengal.
• The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a pan-Islamic political protest campaign.
• The Quit India Movement (1942) occurred much later during World War II.