Current Affairs Past Papers Analysis

I. Pakistan Domestic Affairs

1. “Pakistan stands at a decisive turning point where climate shocks, rapid population growth, governance gaps, non-traditional security threats and intense fiscal stress are converging to heighten national vulnerability.” Critically evaluate the above statement and propose policy measures for building a stable, secure and disaster-resilient Pakistan. (2026)

2. “Brain drain threatens Pakistan’s ability to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030”. Write a comprehensive note on the causes and consequences of brain drain from Pakistan, focusing on its impact on achieving SDGs (you may choose any three SDGs for answering this question). (2026)

3. Critically appraise the following statement with relevant examples. Furthermore, draw relevant lessons and propose way forward for Pakistan. “Natural resources, though desirable for development of a country, can become a source of conflict and instability.” (2026)

4. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), once called “force multiplier”, are now having trust issues as public skepticism about the virtues and advantages of NGOs has deepened. Critically examine why NGOs space is shrinking in many parts of the world with specific reference to Pakistan. (2026)

5. The creation of more provinces is a persistent demand from some circles in Pakistan. How do you see the creation of more provinces in Pakistan; as beneficial or harmful for the people? Explain your views with solid justification. (2024)

6. Critically discuss why Pakistan’s economic growth continues to be a “Balance-of-Payments” constraint which is one of the core causes to keep the foreign exchange reserve under pressure. Do you think that Pakistan’s export performance remains the most relevant long-term challenge to alleviate the balance-of-payments constraint for sustained economic growth and explain radical structural reforms to improve export performance? (2023)

7. Numerous political systems- Parliamentary as well as Presidential have been in vogue in Pakistan with limited success. Draft your own proposed but practical system that would result in good governance of the country. Stipulate the reasons and conditions for its success. (2022)

8. Why was Pakistan placed on the ‘Grey List’ of Financial Action Task Force (FATF)? What are the implications and what measures should Pakistan take to move out of this list? (2020)

9. Give a critical review of Pakistan Energy Policy 2013-2018. (2019)

10. How can the governing structures have the capacity to neutralize threats to internal security of Pakistan? (2019)

11. How can the corruption elimination strategy be made part of governance system of Pakistan? (2019)

12. Highlight the role of National Action Plan (NAP) in stabilization of internal security of Pakistan. Critically analyze its outcomes. (2017)

13. Discuss in detail the efficacy of counter terrorism measures adopted by especially with reference to the National Action Plan (NAP). (2016)

14. What measures would you suggest improving the economy of Pakistan particularly in the areas of debt reduction and enhancing export capacity? (2016)

15. Since 1970 every election was accused of rigging, what electoral reforms you will suggest improving electoral system of Pakistan? (2015)

16. What is the role of education in character-building of a nation? Highlight major pitfalls in Pakistan’s education systems. (2015)

17. Do you believe that main cause of 2014 flood was Indian ‘water terrorism’ or it was due to awful mismanagement of water resources in Pakistan? (2015)

18. Critically evaluate the counter-terrorism policy of Pakistan and suggest measures to eradicate this evil. (2015)

19. How can the corruption elimination strategy be made part of governance system of Pakistan? (2014)

20. Critically appreciate the decision making in Pakistan regarding energy crisis in Pakistan. (2014)

21. What is character-building? Assess the factor (character building) in education systems of Pakistan and give suggestions for improvement. (2014)

22. Discuss the successes and failures of political parties in bringing about a meaningful change in Pakistan. (2013)

23. Discuss the causes of extremism and militancy in Pakistani society. Suggest ways and means for the state organs to overcome these problems. (2013)

24. Critically evaluate the causes of Energy crisis in Pakistan and its consequences for the economic growth and social fabric in the country. (2013)

25. Discuss the impact of foreign aid on Pakistan in post 9/11 scenario. (2012)

26. How can the energy crisis of Pakistan be resolved? (2012)

27. Discuss issues in the higher educational system vis-a-vis 18th amendment in Pakistan. (2012)

28. How the corruption be managed in Pakistan? (2012)

29. How Pakistan can reduce foreign debt? Suggest mechanism in Pakistan economy to handle external perspective of Pakistan economy. (2011)

30. What can be the strategies to reduce dependency of education sector on governmental funding? (2011)

31. Give suggestions to manage political instability in Pakistan. (2011)

II. Pakistan External Affairs

1. Discuss the contours of Pakistan’s strategic relations with India and Afghanistan in detail. Do you foresee any serious security challenges from these neighbours in near future? Explain your opinion with scholarly evidences. (2025)

2. Discuss the prospects of peace in South Asia with reference to Kashmir Conflict and Nuclear Arms-race between India and Pakistan. (2025)

3. Conduct a critical analysis of the prospects of resolution of the Palestinian conflict with special reference to the UN Security Council’s recently approved U.S. drafted resolution for peace in Gaza. Can Pakistan play any role in this initiative? (2026)

4. Discuss the project idea China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is the great leap forward of economic regionalization in the globalized world. Explain its potential advantages, challenges, and future prospects. (2023)

5. Discuss historic Pakistan and Turkey bilateral relations beyond the areas of socio-economic and strategic realms. Explain its geopolitical ripple effects in the Himalayas, the Arabian Peninsula, and the South Caucasus. (2023)

6. The 2021 Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan presents regional and global challenges. Elaborate on the anticipated policies of the Taliban government and the regional and global response. (2022)

7. Propose prospective foreign policy options for Pakistan in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. (2022)

8. Critically Examine/Examine China Strategic Vision behind ‘The Bell and Road Initiative (BRI)’ also known as One Belt One Road (OBOR). (2019)

9. What will be the reason of emerging water conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan? (2019)

10. Do you agree that Pakistan’s role in Afghan Jihad against Soviet Union was the root cause of terrorism in Pakistan or it is a reaction of US invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and Pakistan’s U-turn in Afghan policy? (2015)

11. Evaluate the significance of water conflict between India and Pakistan in perspective of water management projects in Indian held Kashmir. (2014)

12. Discuss the importance of Pak-China relations. How does this relationship effect political and security environment in South Asia? (2013)

13. Resolution of Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan can bring peace and prosperity in the region. Discuss. (2013)

14. Discuss the current socio-political and security situation of Afghanistan and its implications for the neighboring countries. (2013)

15. Evaluate the significance of water conflict between India and Pakistan in global perspective of climate change. (2012)

16. If India is granted Permanent seat in Security Council; what can be the options available to Pakistan to manage the Indian Hegemony in South Asia? (2011)

17. What is AFPAK policy; how to manage its implication on Pakistan? (2011)

III. Pakistan and Regional Organizations

1. Discuss the Pakistan’s historic role in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and under the framework of regional integration; what are the future prospects of ECO for Pakistan? (2024)

2. Muslim Ummah has failed to unite under one roof. The leadership, their internal wrangling, and sectarian divide keeps them away from each other. No wonder the Muslim world is in shambles in their home countries, at the OIC level, and at international forums. Taking a tag from above, discuss ways and means to unite the Muslim Ummah with a pragmatic approach. (2022)

3. Discuss the role of OIC, GCC, and Arab league in the Middle East Crisis and conflicts. (2020)

4. What are the opportunities and challenges for Pakistan as one of the new members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)? (2018)

5. Substantiate Pakistan’s role in UN peace keeping missions. (2014)

6. Give recommendations to make SAARC an effective organization at regional level keeping in view success of European Union. (2011)

IV. Global Issues

1. Discuss the emergence of SCO and BRICS as a challenge to American politico-economic dominance in world politics. What measures can be taken by the US to counter them? (2025)

2. COP - the annual climate negotiation, Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is organized every year since 1995. What are the significant achievements of COPs in general and COP-30 in particular? (2026)

3. Climate Change and the Big Powers' role. (2024)

4. The UN climate summit (COP-27) in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) discussed Pakistan’s catastrophic summer floods exacerbated by climate change and the country is facing imminent threat of epidemics and other multi-dimensional dangers. Discuss the COP-27 roadmap to face the challenge of climate change and proposed measures for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Pakistan. (2023)

5. What impact global climate change will have on the water resources of Pakistan? How will it affect inter- provincial harmony? (2020)

6. Elaborate the reasons and impacts on Donald Trump withdrawal from climate change Paris agreement 2015. (2019)

7. Elaborate the reasons and impacts of Donald Trump’s withdrawal from Climate Change Paris Agreement 2015? (2019)

8. Discuss the adverse impact of climate change on the world and the measures recently adopted by the Paris Conference to address this issue. (2016)

9. What is climate change impact? What are its implications on Pakistan? How to manage climate change in policy and practice? (2011)

V. International Security

1. Discuss instrument of techniques of Hybrid Warfare in context of Pakistan? (2019)

2. How can the governing structure have the capacity to neutralize threats to internal security of Pakistan? (2019)

VI. International Political Economy

1. Discuss the core causes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine which have considerable socio economic, political, and strategic consequences on the world. Explain its devastating impact on Pakistan and its severe lesson for the country’s survival. (2023)

2. Discuss the project idea China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is the great leap forward of economic regionalization in the globalized world. Explain its potential advantages, challenges, and future prospects. (2023)

VII. Human Rights

1. No questions yet.

VIII. Population

1. November 15, 2022, will be a historic date in humanity’s history because at this date the Earth’s population reached the 8 billion mark. Critically discuss that the 21st century is a century of rapid population growth which has a devastating negative impact on the world. Explain the severe consequences of rapid population growth which will affect every country on earth. (2023)

IX. Terrorism and Counter Terrorism

1. No questions yet

X. Global Energy Politics

1. Evaluate the implications of Ukraine War for the Russia-Europe energy relations. (2024)

2. Critically discuss the conceptualized energy’s influence on world geopolitics and its distinctiveness of global energy governance. (2023)

XI. Nuclear Proliferation and Nuclear Security

1. The UN efforts for nuclear non-proliferation. (2024)

2. Now do the nature and possible prospects of US-Russia strategic nuclear deterrence change with the enforcement of the New START treaty of 2021? What could be the treaty’s implications on Pakistan’s nuclear program keeping in view its defense policy? (2022)

XII. Nuclear Politics in South Asia

1. Analyze the effects of commissioning of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arihant equipped with nuclear-capable missile called K-4 over the strategic stability of South Asia. (2017)

2. The US-India in August 2016 signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that will reportedly facilitate the two allies to use each other’s military facilities to check China’s growing influence. Comment. (2017)

XIII. International Trade

1. The US and China have been in an ongoing trade war since 2018. In academic circles, it has been argued that this conflict may as well be the Second Cold War. Critically evaluate the future world order with main actors such as China, Russia and the US. (2022)

XIV. Cooperation and Competition in Arabian Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans

1. Prospects of regional integration in South Asia. (2024)

XV. Middle East Crisis

1. Describe the 2017 Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and its impact on the Middle East? (2018)

2. Critically analyze the newly established Islamic Military Alliance and its future implications for the Muslim World? (2018)

3. Critically analyze the US-Russia relations in context of ISIS and its impact on the security situation of Middle East? (2017)

4. How do you see recent developments in the Middle East, particularly with reference to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran? What role, if any, Pakistan could play in reducing the tensions between the two Muslim countries? (2016)

5. What are the causes of ‘Arab Spring’? Identify their impacts on the future politics of the region? (2015)

6. How will ‘Arab spring’ effect the political and security environment in the Arab World? (2013)

XVI. Kashmir and Palestine Issues

1. Palestine conflict is a long-standing one on the United Nations table. Discuss its recent escalation since October 2023 and critically assess the big powers' reaction to it. (2024)

2. Given the volatile lockdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir, what are the viable policy choices available to Pakistan? What can Pakistan realistically do to ease the sufferings of Kashmiri people? (2020)

3. Resolution of Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan can bring peace and prosperity in the region. Discuss. (2013)

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