PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

Following World War I, the victorious Allied powers embarked on a process to redraw the geopolitical map, particularly targeting the defeated Central Powers, which included the vast Ottoman Empire.

• Correct Option (A) Treaty of Sèvres: Signed on August 10, 1920, the Treaty of Sèvres was the peace agreement between the Allied powers and the Ottoman Empire. This treaty was designed to dismantle and fragment the Ottoman Empire, stripping it of its Arab provinces and significant territories in Anatolia, effectively reducing it to a small state. Although never fully ratified by the Turkish nationalist government, it laid the groundwork for the empire's dissolution.
• Distractors:
• (B) Treaty of Trianon concerned Hungary.
• (C) Treaty of Versailles dealt with Germany.
• (D) Treaty of Warsaw is unrelated to post-WWI Ottoman fragmentation.

The Hazara community is an ethnic group with a significant presence across multiple countries, primarily due to historical migrations and conflicts. They are native to the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan, making 'Afghanistan' (Option B) a correct location.

• However, large Hazara populations have also established themselves in neighboring countries.
• Significant communities reside in 'Pakistan' (Option C), particularly in Quetta, and in 'Iran' (Option A), especially in cities like Mashhad and Tehran.
• Therefore, the most comprehensive and accurate answer is 'All of these', as Hazaras are found in all three listed countries.

The question pertains to the location of a world-famous landmark. The Notre Dame Cathedral is an iconic medieval Catholic cathedral situated on the Île de la Cité in Paris, France. It is celebrated for its magnificent French Gothic architecture, intricate stained glass, and historical significance, having witnessed numerous pivotal events in French history.

• Rome: This Italian capital is home to St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum, not Notre Dame.
• Washington: Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States, known for landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial.
• Miami: A major city in Florida, USA, famous for its beaches and vibrant culture, but not the site of Notre Dame.

Each distractor refers to a prominent city, but none is the correct location for Notre Dame Cathedral.

The 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan represents a pivotal legislative reform, fundamentally altering the nation's political and governance framework.

• Correct Option (B) April 2010: This historic amendment was unanimously passed by the Parliament of Pakistan on April 8, 2010, and subsequently received presidential assent on April 19, 2010. Its key provisions included stripping the President of the power to unilaterally dissolve Parliament, restoring the 1973 Constitution to its original parliamentary form, and significantly devolving powers from the federal government to the provinces, thereby strengthening provincial autonomy.
• Distractors:
• (A) March 2010, (C) May 2010, and (D) June 2010 are incorrect. The legislative process for this significant amendment was completed and enacted specifically in April 2010.

Ali Iqtadar Shah Dara holds the distinction of being the first captain of the Pakistan Hockey Olympic Team. He led the team during their inaugural appearance at the 1948 London Olympics, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan's post-independence sporting history. His leadership laid the foundation for Pakistan's future successes in international hockey.

• Options B, C, and D (Hamidullah Khan Burki, Manzoor Hussain Atif, and Munir Ahmed Dar) were all prominent figures in Pakistani hockey, contributing significantly to the sport.
• However, they served as captains or key players in later Olympic campaigns or eras, not as the very first Olympic captain.
• Thus, Ali Iqtadar Shah Dara is the correct answer.

This question refers to a tragic and widely reported event. Legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. The incident occurred amidst foggy conditions, shocking fans and the sports world globally. California was his home state and the location of his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Delaware: A small state on the East Coast, unrelated to the crash.
• Florida: A southeastern state, known for its theme parks, not the crash site.
• New York: A major East Coast state, but not where the accident took place.

The distractors are other U.S. states that were not the location of this specific event.

India and Pakistan share a complex and often contentious history, marked by several significant military conflicts since their independence and partition in 1947, largely stemming from territorial disputes, particularly over Kashmir.

• Correct Option (C) 4: India and Pakistan have engaged in four major wars. These include the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 (First Kashmir War), the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (which led to the creation of Bangladesh), and the Kargil War of 1999. While Kargil is sometimes termed a limited conflict, it is widely recognized as a full-scale military engagement.
• Distractors:
• (A) 2, (B) 3, and (D) 5 are incorrect. The historical record clearly indicates four primary military confrontations between the two nations.

The Morley-Minto Reforms, officially known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909, were indeed introduced in 1909. These reforms were a crucial legislative measure by the British Parliament aimed at introducing limited self-governance in British India. They expanded the legislative councils and notably introduced separate electorates for Muslims, significantly impacting Indian political landscape.

• Option A, '1907', is incorrect; this year saw the Surat Split in the Indian National Congress.
• Option C, '1911', is incorrect; the capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in this year.
• Option D, '1916', is incorrect; this year is associated with the Lucknow Pact.
• Therefore, 1909 is the precise year for the introduction of the Morley-Minto Reforms.

The question asks about the originator of a fundamental concept in demography. The Demographic Transition Model (DTM), which describes the historical shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops, was first proposed by American demographer Warren Thompson in 1929. His work laid the groundwork for understanding population changes over time.

• J. Clarke: A geographer known for population studies, but not the DTM's originator.
• J.J. Spengler: A prominent economist and demographer, but not credited with the DTM.
• Trewartha: Glenn Trewartha was a geographer known for his climate classification and population geography, but not the DTM.

The distractors are other notable figures in related fields, but none originated the DTM.

The Simla Deputation of 1906 was a landmark event in the political history of British India, where a delegation of influential Muslim leaders sought to articulate their community's distinct political aspirations to the colonial administration.

• Correct Option (C) Agha Khan: The Simla Deputation, comprising 35 prominent Muslim leaders, was spearheaded by Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. On October 1, 1906, they met with Viceroy Lord Minto in Simla to present their demand for separate electorates for Muslims in any forthcoming constitutional reforms. This demand underscored the Muslim community's desire for distinct political representation, separate from the Hindu majority.
• Distractors:
• (A) Quaid-e-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah), (B) Allama Iqbal, and (D) Rehmat Ali were all significant figures in the Pakistan Movement but were not involved in leading the Simla Deputation of 1906.

The question pertains to the historical context of Pakistan's entry into the United Nations. Afghanistan was the sole country to oppose Pakistan's membership in the UN in 1947. This opposition stemmed from Afghanistan's irredentist claims over Pashtun-majority areas along the Durand Line, which it referred to as 'Pashtunistan'.

• Egypt did not oppose Pakistan's UN membership; it maintained cordial relations.
• China, specifically the People's Republic of China, was not established until 1949, and the Republic of China (Taiwan) did not oppose.
• Malaysia was not an independent nation in 1947 and therefore had no role in the UN membership process.

Thus, Afghanistan's historical territorial claims were the direct reason for its opposition.

This question tests knowledge of world capitals. Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan, a Central Asian nation. The city is notable for its extensive use of white marble in its architecture, earning it a Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings. It serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural center.

• Armenia: Its capital is Yerevan.
• Azerbaijan: Its capital is Baku.
• Bosnia: The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Sarajevo.

Each distractor is a country with its own distinct capital city, none of which is Ashgabat.

The Majlis-e-Shura, also known as the Federal Council, was an advisory legislative body established in Pakistan during the martial law regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. Its primary purpose was to provide a consultative forum in the absence of an elected parliament.

• The correct answer is 1981. General Zia-ul-Haq formally inaugurated the Majlis-e-Shura on January 11, 1982, following its establishment in 1981, to serve as an interim legislative assembly.
• Option A, 1977, is incorrect; this was the year martial law was imposed, but the Majlis-e-Shura was not formed then.
• Option C, 1985, is incorrect; this year marked the non-party elections and the restoration of a parliamentary system, which effectively superseded the Majlis-e-Shura's role.
• Option D, 1991, is also incorrect as it falls outside the period of the Majlis-e-Shura's establishment and primary function.

Understanding this body is crucial for comprehending Pakistan's political evolution under military rule.

The question focuses on a significant diplomatic achievement between Pakistan and China. In 1963, Pakistan and China successfully resolved their Boundary issue through the Sino-Pakistan Frontier Agreement. This agreement demarcated the border between the two countries, primarily in the Karakoram mountain range, and was a cornerstone in establishing strong bilateral relations.

• The Water issue, particularly concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, was primarily a dispute between Pakistan and India, resolved in 1960.
• The Kashmir issue remains a long-standing territorial dispute between Pakistan and India, not directly resolved with China in 1963.
• Therefore, 'None of these' is incorrect as a specific and crucial dispute was indeed resolved.