FA Pakistan Studies (Compulsory) Syllabus

Name the three main passes that connect Pakistan with Afghanistan.

The Khyber Pass, the Bolan Pass, and the Khojak Pass.

What type of climate does most of Pakistan have?

Pakistan has a continental type of climate characterized by extreme temperatures, low rainfall, and large seasonal variation (hot summers and cold winters).

What are the four main seasons of Pakistan?

Winter (Dec–Feb), Spring (Mar–Apr), Summer/Hot season (May–Jul), and the Monsoon/Rainy season (Jul–Sep).

What is the chief source of summer rainfall in Pakistan?

The Monsoon winds, which blow from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea during summer (July–September).

Name the five major rivers of Pakistan (the rivers of the Indus system).

The Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej. (Beas is the sixth river of Punjab, mostly in India.)

Which is the largest/longest river of Pakistan and its main lifeline?

The River Indus, which originates in Tibet and flows into the Arabian Sea; it is about 2,900 km long.

Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), which three rivers were allocated to Pakistan?

The three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — were given to Pakistan; the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) went to India.

Name the two largest dams of Pakistan on the Indus system.

Tarbela Dam (on the Indus) and Mangla Dam (on the Jhelum).

What is a 'barrage' and name a major one in Pakistan.

A barrage is a low diversion structure across a river to raise the water level for canal irrigation; examples include Sukkur Barrage, Kotri Barrage, and Guddu Barrage.

What is the most common method of irrigation in Pakistan?

Canal irrigation; Pakistan has one of the largest contiguous canal irrigation systems in the world.

What are the two main cropping seasons of Pakistan and give an example crop of each?

Kharif (sown in summer, e.g., rice, cotton, sugarcane, maize) and Rabi (sown in winter, e.g., wheat, gram, barley).

What are the major food and cash crops of Pakistan?

Major food crops: wheat, rice, maize. Major cash crops: cotton, sugarcane, and tobacco.

Which crop is the backbone of Pakistan's textile industry and economy?

Cotton, which provides raw material for the textile industry, Pakistan's largest industry and export earner.

Name two major minerals found in Pakistan.

Coal (Salt Range, Quetta), natural gas (Sui), rock salt (Khewra), gypsum, limestone, chromite, and iron ore.

Where is Pakistan's largest natural gas field located?

Sui, in Balochistan (discovered in 1952).

Where is the largest rock salt mine in Pakistan?

The Khewra Salt Mine in the Salt Range (Punjab), one of the oldest and largest salt mines in the world.

What is the difference between agro-based and mineral-based industries? Give one example of each.

Agro-based industries use agricultural raw materials (e.g., textile, sugar, cooking oil); mineral-based industries use mineral raw materials (e.g., cement, steel, fertilizer).

Which is the largest industry of Pakistan?

The cotton textile industry, the leading manufacturing sector and the largest source of export earnings.

Where is Pakistan's largest steel mill located?

Pakistan Steel Mills at Karachi (built with Soviet assistance, near Port Qasim).

What was the first Constitution of Pakistan and in which year was it enforced?

The Constitution of 1956, which declared Pakistan an Islamic Republic; enforced on 23 March 1956.

Which document served as the interim constitution of Pakistan from 1947 to 1956?

The Government of India Act 1935 (as adapted), along with the Indian Independence Act 1947.

In which year was the second Constitution of Pakistan enforced and under whom?

The 1962 Constitution, introduced under President Ayub Khan, establishing a presidential system.

Which is the present Constitution of Pakistan and when did it come into effect?

The Constitution of 1973, enforced on 14 August 1973, under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto; it is a federal, parliamentary constitution.

What form of government does the 1973 Constitution establish?

A federal, parliamentary form of government with a bicameral legislature, where the Prime Minister is the head of government and the President is the head of state.

What are the three organs/branches of the government of Pakistan?

The Legislature (makes laws), the Executive (implements laws), and the Judiciary (interprets laws and dispenses justice).

What are the two houses of Pakistan's Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) called?

The National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house).

What is the national language of Pakistan, and what is the official language?

Urdu is the national language of Pakistan; English is the official language used in government and law.

Name the major regional/provincial languages of Pakistan.

Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto (Pakhto), Balochi, and Saraiki; Punjabi is spoken by the largest number of people.

Why is Urdu chosen as a symbol of national unity and integration?

Urdu is understood across all provinces, is not the mother tongue of any single province (so it favours none), developed during the freedom movement, and links all regions and cultures as a common medium.

What is meant by 'national integration' and name two factors that promote it in Pakistan?

National integration is the unity and sense of belonging among diverse peoples of a nation. It is promoted by Islam, a common national language (Urdu), shared history and ideology, and common national institutions.