PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs Syllabus

Current Affairs syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Current Affairs in PPSC Assistant Director Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   National Current Affairs

   4 topics

   • Pakistan Politics and Recent Developments
   • National Economy and Budget
   • CPEC and Major Projects
   • Foreign Relations of Pakistan
2. 2

   International Current Affairs

   3 topics

   • Global Political Developments
   • Conflicts, Wars and Peace Agreements
   • International Summits and Conferences
3. 3

   Economy and Trade

   3 topics

   • Global Economic Issues
   • Trade Agreements and Blocs
   • Energy and Climate Policy
4. 4

   Sports and Personalities

   3 topics

   • Recent Sports Events and Records
   • Newsmakers and Appointments
   • Awards and Recognitions

Current Affairs flashcards for PPSC Assistant Director Test

21 of 51 cards from the Current Affairs deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Under Pakistan's Constitution, who has the power to dissolve the National Assembly, and what triggers a caretaker government?

   The President dissolves the National Assembly on the Prime Minister's advice (or after a no-confidence vote). A caretaker government is then formed to oversee general elections within 90 days under the Election Commission of Pakistan.

2. Which body conducts general elections in Pakistan, and what is the constitutional time limit to hold elections after assembly dissolution?

   The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducts elections, which must be held within 90 days of normal completion of term, or 60 days if the assembly is dissolved early (90 days if dissolved prematurely by the PM).

3. What is the 26th Constitutional Amendment of Pakistan (2024) primarily known for?

   It restructured the judiciary—creating a Constitutional Bench in the Supreme Court and changing the process for appointing the Chief Justice of Pakistan, giving Parliament a greater role in judicial appointments.

4. Define a 'vote of no-confidence' in Pakistan's parliamentary system.

   A motion by which the National Assembly removes the Prime Minister by majority vote of the total membership (172 of 342). Imran Khan was removed via this mechanism in April 2022.

5. What is the structure of Pakistan's Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)?

   A bicameral legislature: the National Assembly (lower house, 336 seats including reserved seats) and the Senate (upper house, 96 members representing provinces equally).

6. What is the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) that Pakistan secured in 2024, and its approximate size?

   A 37-month IMF program worth about US$7 billion approved in September 2024 to stabilize Pakistan's economy through fiscal consolidation, reforms, and structural adjustments.

7. In Pakistan's federal budget, what is the difference between the 'current expenditure' and the 'development budget (PSDP)'?

   Current expenditure covers running costs—debt servicing, salaries, defense, subsidies. The Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funds new development projects like infrastructure, dams, and roads.

8. What is the formula for a country's fiscal deficit?

   Fiscal Deficit = Total Government Expenditure − Total Government Revenue (excluding borrowing). It is usually expressed as a percentage of GDP.

9. Which institution presents Pakistan's federal budget and on whose behalf?

   The Finance Minister presents the federal budget in the National Assembly on behalf of the federal government, typically in June for the upcoming fiscal year (July–June).

10. What is the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award in Pakistan?

    A constitutional mechanism (Article 160) that distributes financial resources between the federal government and provinces, with the divisible pool shared based on population, poverty, revenue, and area.

11. What does CPEC stand for, and which two flagship economic corridors/zones does it connect?

    China–Pakistan Economic Corridor; it links Kashgar in China's Xinjiang region to Gwadar Port in Balochistan, Pakistan, as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

12. Which Pakistani deep-sea port is the centerpiece of CPEC, and who operates it?

    Gwadar Port in Balochistan, operated by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC).

13. What is CPEC Phase 2 (sometimes called 'CPEC 2.0') focused on?

    Industrial cooperation, agriculture, IT, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and the '5 corridors' framework—growth, livelihood, innovation, green development, and regional connectivity.

14. Name two major energy projects developed under CPEC.

    Examples include the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, Port Qasim Coal Power Plant, Karot Hydropower Project, and the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project.

15. What is the ML-1 railway project under CPEC?

    The Main Line-1 railway upgrade—a major project to modernize and double-track the railway line from Karachi to Peshawar, the backbone of Pakistan Railways.

16. What is Pakistan's stance on Kashmir, and which UN resolutions does it reference?

    Pakistan considers Jammu and Kashmir a disputed territory and calls for a plebiscite under UN Security Council Resolutions 47 (1948) and others, allowing Kashmiris to determine their future.

17. What did India's revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 do, and how did Pakistan respond?

    It revoked the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties, suspended trade, and intensified diplomatic efforts internationally.

18. What is the significance of the Pakistan–China 'all-weather strategic cooperative partnership'?

    It denotes the exceptionally close, enduring alliance between the two countries spanning defense, economy (CPEC), and diplomacy, often described as 'iron brothers.'

19. What is Pakistan's membership status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

    Pakistan became a full member of the SCO in 2017, alongside India, joining China, Russia, and Central Asian states in this regional security and economic bloc.

20. What was the outcome of the India–Pakistan military escalation following the Pulwama attack (2019)?

    After India's Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan downed an Indian aircraft and captured pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later returned as a 'peace gesture,' easing tensions.

21. What event marked the end of the US war in Afghanistan in August 2021?

    The complete withdrawal of US/NATO forces and the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, re-establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

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