Here, you can seek Current Affairs MCQs of Pakistan and the World’s Current year important events, dates, accidents and issues in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Pakistan Current Affairs sample test and practise questions for job Test. Current Affairs of Pakistan, first in Pakistan, Important issues, current govt ministries etc. So, you will find in this category the updated 2022 Current affairs of Pakistan Mcqs.
The article discusses Bob Woodward’s latest book, War, which offers insights into the decision-making processes during Joe Biden’s presidency, particularly focusing on foreign policy crises like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Woodward, renowned for his insider accounts, contrasts Biden’s handling of these crises with former president Donald Trump’s. Woodward paints Trump as reckless and impulsive, unfit for another term, similar to his portrayal in previous books. The article highlights Biden’s challenges in ending the US military presence in Afghanistan, a mission he considered to have lost its purpose. Biden faced harsh criticism for the chaotic withdrawal, but he stood by his decision, blaming Trump for the initial deal with the Taliban. The intelligence failure leading to the swift fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban damaged the US’s global credibility, evoking parallels with the Vietnam War. In the Gaza conflict, Biden’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is depicted as tense and distrustful. Despite repeated disagreements, including Netanyahu’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, Biden maintained strong support for Israel. Woodward suggests that this failure to prevent escalation reflected America’s waning leverage in the region. The role of Arab states like Jordan, UAE, and Saudi Arabia in supporting Israel’s fight against Hamas is also discussed. In contrast, the war in Ukraine exposed concerns over Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, with US intelligence and diplomatic » Read More…
The editorial critiques the recent approval of Pakistan’s 24th IMF programme, highlighting its reliance on a simplistic cash-based accounting framework that fails to address the country’s structural issues. The authors, Nadeem ul Haque and Shahid Kardar, argue that the programme primarily rolls over existing debts without implementing meaningful reforms. There is skepticism regarding the programme’s approach to achieving a primary surplus, as it includes inflated revenue numbers from the State Bank that do not accurately reflect economic reality. The piece emphasizes the unrealistic expectations placed on exporters and farmers regarding documentation requirements overnight, without acknowledging their limited capacities. The authors note a misplaced focus on revenue generation rather than on establishing a sound fiscal structure, which has led to an unstable business environment and a culture of tax evasion. The editorial outlines how the convoluted tax regime, characterized by arbitrary taxes and high documentation burdens, has created distrust between the government and citizens. Moreover, government expenditures have spiraled out of control, with a proliferation of agencies and functions that the state undertakes without clear accountability or cost assessment. The commentary underscores the detrimental impact of government price controls on economic dynamics, noting that these controls affect 70% of the economy, thus hampering market competitiveness. The authors assert that despite the IMF’s mandate for an open exchange system, each programme has resulted in an appreciated exchange rate, further straining the » Read More…
The article reflects on the diplomatic interactions between Pakistan and India during Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit. Although no substantial bilateral breakthroughs were expected or achieved, the atmosphere was notably more amicable than the usual hostility that defines relations between the two nations. Minister Jaishankar reiterated India’s concerns about ‘cross-border terrorism’, a longstanding rhetorical position, yet refrained from directly naming Pakistan, showcasing a shift towards a more diplomatic tone. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the summit, despite the presence of other heads of government, was noted; however, India’s participation, even through a top diplomat, was seen as a positive step, given the strained relations. The article highlights the importance of multilateral platforms like SCO in fostering regional dialogue, which India seems more willing to engage with compared to the moribund Saarc, largely due to its reluctance to engage Pakistan through that platform. Jaishankar’s comments touched upon terrorism and separatism as impediments to improving ties, echoing India’s traditional stance. However, Pakistan’s concerns, including the Kashmir dispute, the treatment of Muslims in India, and India’s alleged support for subversive activities in Pakistan, remain key issues. The article emphasizes that sustained dialogue, free of interruptions, is essential to resolving differences and » Read More…
The article critically examines the rampant issue of rape and sexual violence against women and girls, both globally and in Pakistan, highlighting the significant role misogyny plays in this widespread problem. It references recent UNICEF estimates revealing that over 370 million women and girls experienced rape or sexual violence before turning 18, with the highest numbers in sub-Saharan Africa and *eastern/south-eastern Asia, at 79 million and 75 million, respectively. In Pakistan, sexual abuse is alarmingly common, as evidenced by the **2023 report from the Sustainable Social Development Organisation, which documented **10,201 cases of violence against women* in Punjab alone—though most cases go unreported. The root cause of this violence lies in *patriarchal social systems* that objectify women, but the state’s failure to uphold and enforce protective laws exacerbates the issue. Despite *progressive laws* and international commitments, the state’s inconsistent approach—where it passes pro-women policies but hesitates to fully implement them—allows sexual abuse to rise unchecked. The editorial stresses the urgency of investing in resources to implement laws, cleanse law enforcement of impunity, and ensure due process. It emphasizes that without reforming police practices and prioritizing women’s development, especially through access to *education* and *mental health support*, the scars of sexual violence will continue to plague survivors, leaving them unable to lead productive lives or form » Read More…
This editorial discusses the challenging demands placed on Pakistan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of its $7bn rescue package. Although tough, these demands were anticipated as necessary for stabilizing the country’s economy. The program aims to rebuild Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, improve its tax-to-GDP ratio, and ensure debt sustainability. The IMF’s roadmap for reform includes overhauling the tax system, implementing energy sector reforms, and privatizing and deregulating key sectors. Additionally, the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Special Economic Zones will be scaled back to promote investment neutrality. The government has committed to not providing any special tax or regulatory incentives that could distort the investment landscape. If tax collection falls short by 1% on a three-month rolling basis, the government will introduce additional indirect taxes. Other commitments include cutting gas supplies to captive power plants owned by textile millers and provincial reforms to boost tax collection and end market interventions. While the IMF has acknowledged Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic stability, it cautions that this stability is unlikely to lead to growth unless the country can attract significant investment, which seems unlikely in the short term. The elimination of incentives for foreign companies, especially from China, could hinder plans to attract Chinese investment under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The IMF will closely monitor Pakistan’s adherence to its reform targets, and there is little margin for error as Pakistan must demonstrate every six » Read More…
The article outlines a comprehensive three-year reform plan for Pakistan to smoothly exit the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and achieve self-sustained, non-inflationary growth. It highlights the need for domestic reforms beyond merely stabilizing external accounts. To achieve these goals, the government must increase investment, control fiscal deficits, devolve basic services to local governments, address the energy crisis, and reform the civil service. Key reforms include raising the investment-to-GDP ratio to 20% by FY28, controlling the fiscal deficit at 5%, and achieving a primary surplus of 3%. Public investment should rise to 5% through fiscal consolidation, while private sector investments need to grow, especially in SMEs, agriculture, and key industries like petrochemicals and engineering. The country must tackle its recurring balance-of-payments crises by boosting domestic productive capacity in industry and agriculture to reduce reliance on imports. The energy sector also needs reform, including privatizing distribution companies and providing targeted subsidies through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Additionally, the civil service must undergo modernization, including a merit-based recruitment system and a » Read More…
