Monday, 25 May 2015

MCQs

National & International MCQs (Aug-Sept 2014)

MCQs - National

1. On ______, PTI Chairman Imran Khan ordered his supporters to launch a Civil Disobedience Movement against the government.

A. August 16 B. August 17

C. August 18 D. August 19

2. The incumbent Director General of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) is ______.

A. Saira Afzal B. Salman Iqbal

C. Pervez Rashid D. Samina Pervez

3. On Aug 18, India called off the upcoming meeting of foreign secretaries of both countries because of Pakistani high commissioner's meeting with a Hurriyat leader ______.

A. Syed Ali Gilani B. Yasin Malik

C. Shabir Shah D. Azhar Bhat

4. Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa is the present Director General of ______.

A. ISI B. IB

C. ISPR D. MI

5. On Aug 20, Khwaja Shahad Ahmed took over as Chairman of ______.

A. PPSC B. AJKPSC

C. BPSC D. SPSC

6. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (AJKPSC) comprises a chairman and ______ members.

A. 7 B. 9

C. 11 D. 13

7. The Earthquake Memorial Bridge on the banks of the River Jhelum was funded by______.

A. World Bank

B. Asian Development Bank

C. Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC)

D. Pak China Investment Company

8. PTI's parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, before they submitted resignations, was ______.

A. Imran Khan B. Javed Hashmi

C. Murad Saeed

D. Shah Mehmood Qureshi

9. The incumbent Chairman of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) is ______.

A. Agha Jan Akhtar

B. Saeed Ahmed Khan

C. Mir Afsar Din Talpur

D. Rear Admiral Syed Afzal

10. Pakistan Navy inducted a second batch of Alouette Helicopters into its Fleet Air Arm on ______.

A. August 18 B. August 22

C. August 24 D. August 27

11. On Aug 23, ______ registered a treason case against Pakistan's High Commissioner, Mr Abdul Basit.

A. Nepal B. Sri Lanka

C. Afghanistan D. India

12. On Aug 26, a financing agreement of $588.4 million signed with the World Bank, related to development of ______.

A. Tarbela De-silting Project

B. Attabad Lake

C. Dasu Hydropower Project

D. Manda Dam

13. The VC of Islamia University Peshawar, Prof Ajmal Khan, was kidnapped by Taliban militants in ______.

A. 2010 B. 2011

C. 2012 D. 2013

14. The current Speaker of Balochistan Assembly is ______.

A. Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali

B. Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal

C. Kiramatullah Chaghar Matti

D. Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo

15. European Union lifted the temporary cargo ban imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cargo shipments to Europe on ______.

A. Aug 24 B. Aug 25

C. Aug 26 D. Aug 28

16. On Aug 29, PIA became the ______ airline in South Asia to acquire the approval of the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 145 and 147.

A. First B. Second

C. Third D. Seventh

17. The headquarters of Pakistan Television (PTV) was attacked by a mob of PTI and PAT protesters on _______.

A. Aug 29 B. Aug 30

C. Aug 31 D. Sep 01

18. The headquarters of Pakistan Television Corporation is located in ______.

A. Karachi B. Lahore

C. Quetta D. Islamabad

19. Justice Qazi Faaiz Essa, who was appointed as judge in the Supreme Court on Sep 01, was previously serving as the chief justice of _____ High Court.

A. Sindh B. Balochistan

C. Peshawar D. Islamabad

20. On Sep 01, the ______ approved $47.95 for Pakistan under the Enhanced Nutrition for Mothers and Children project.

A. UN B. World Bank

C. IMF D. ADB

21. International Vulture Awareness Day is celebrated on ______.

A. Sep 04 B. Sep 06

C. Sep 08 D. Sep 10

22. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is headquartered at ______.

A. Geneva, Switzerland

B. Gland, Switzerland

C. Rome, Italy

D. Milan, Italy

23. On Sep 11, the Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP) launched a water management programme in district ______ with the assistance of the Federal Republic of Germany.

A. Zhob B. Qila Abdullah

C. Awaran D. Quetta

24. International Day of Democracy is observed annually on ______.

A. Sep 06 B. Sep 08

C. Sep 12 D. Sep 14

25. The incumbent IGP Sindh is ______.

A. Fayyaz Leghari

B. Iqbal Mehmood

C. Ghulam Qadir Thebo

D. Ghulam Haider Jamali

26. The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association is headed by ______.

A. Fasih Bukhari B. Ahmed Tasnim

C. Aslam Baig D. Hameed Gul

International

1. On Aug 19, ______ of Pakistan was appointed on the panel of advisers to the Commission on Missing Persons and War Crimes set up by the Sri Lankan government ______.

A. Ahmer Bilal Soofi

B. Adil Gilani

C. Asma Jahangir

D. Ch Aitzaz Ahsan

2. According to the ranking compiled by China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the US has ______ universities in the list of world's top 500 universities.

A. 66 B. 87

C. 146 D. 158

3. The top spot in the annual Academic Ranking of World Universities was retained by ______ University.

A. Stanford B. Cambridge

C. California D. Harvard

4. India's former premier Manmohan Singh had been the Finaice Minister of the country during ______.

A. 1985-90 B. 1991-96

C. 1997-2002 D. 2002-05

5. On Aug 21, the Indian government blocked the release of a controversial film, ______, based on the assassination of former premier Indira Gandhi.

A. Veeran Naal Sardari

B. Kirpaan: The Sword of Honour

C. Kaum De Heere

D. Fateh

6. Indira Gandhi launched Operation Blue Star against Sikhs in ______.

A. 1978 B. 1980

C. 1981 D. 1984

7. The current Prime Minister of Turkey is ______.

A. Recep Tayyip Erdogan

B. Ahmet Davutoglu

C. Abdullah Gül

D. Bülent Arınç

8. The headquarters of Facebook is located in ______.

A. California B. New Jersey

C. Chicago D. New York

9. Navi Pillay, the longest serving United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is replaced by Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad who belongs to ______.

A. Jordan B. Egypt

C. Saudi Arabia D. Iraq

10. Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad is the — Muslim United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

A. First B. Second

C. Third D. Fourth

11. The Pentagon is located in ______.

A. Virginia B. Washington DC

C. New York D. Ohio

12. According to a report by UN Human Rights Commission, nearly ______ Syrians have been killed since the country fell into conflict in 2011.

A. 100,000 B. 150,000

C. 200,000 D. 300,000

13. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls presented his government's resignation on ______.

A. Aug 25 B. Aug 28

C. Aug 29 D. Aug 31

14. On Aug 25, ______ won the award for “Video of the Year” for her hit single “Wrecking Ball,” at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards______.

A. Demi Lovato B. Miley Cyrus

C. Beyoncé D. Selena Gomez

15. The headquarters of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is located in ______.

A. New York City B. Geneva

C. Bonn D. Berlin

16. Petro Poroshenko is the president of ______.

A. Serbia B. Croatia

C. Luxemburg D. Ukraine

17. Israel and Palestine concluded a long-term ceasefire that marked the ending of 50 days of the deadliest violence in a decade on ______.

A. Aug 22 B. Aug 23

C. Aug 25 D. Aug 26

18. Anitkabir mausoleum is the final resting place of ______.

A. Maulana Rumi

B. Mustafa Kamal Ataturk

C. Osmani King Saleem

D. Ülkü Adatepe

19. Conference of Western Balkan States was held on Aug 28 in ______, Germany.

A. Berlin B. Bonn

C. Essen D. Cologne

20. Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in as Turkey's president on ______.

A. Aug 26 B. Aug 28

C. Aug 30 D. Sep 04

21. On Aug 29, the United States delivered an emergency shipment of weapons to ______.

A. Lebanon B. Syrian Rebels

C. Israel D. Egypt

22. António Guterres is the______, and the present, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

A. 10th B. 12th

C. 15th D. 20th

23. On Sep 02, ______ unveiled a new surface-to-air missile, Talash-3, and two radar systems to improve its defences.

A. India B. Bangladesh

C. Iran D. Pakistan

24. According to WHO, the world's most suicide-prone country is ______.

A. Suriname B. Lithuania

C. Nepal D. Guyana

25. On Sep 12, former commander of American forces in Afghanistan, ______ was appointed coordinator of the international effort against the Islamic State.

A. Ray Robinson B. John Allen

C. John Goodman D. John Kelly

26. The current Director-General of the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) is ______.

A. Sweden Anders Nordström

B. Lee Jong-wook

C. Margaret Chan

D. Hiroshi Nakajima

27. At present, the SCO observer countries are______, Pakistan and India.

A. Maldives B. Iran

C. Sri Lanka D. Bangladesh

28. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) comprises ______ members, 5 Observers, 3 Dialogue Partners and 3 Guests.

A. 6 B. 8

C. 10 D. 12

29. Erriadh village, also known as the 'Island of Dreams', is in ______.

A. Tunisia B. Maldives

C. Egypt D. Thailand

30. Indonesia got independence from _____ on 17 August 1945.

A. France B. Great Britain

C. Russia D. Netherlands

31. The ______ Amendment to the US Constitution guaranteed women the right of suffrage.

A. 19th B. 20th

C. 21st D. 22nd

32. The world's largest shipping company, Moller-Maersk, is a ______ business conglomerate.

A. Russian B. British

C. Danish D. Japanese

33. The Geneva Convention of 1864 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick of Armies in the Field was adopted by ______ nations during meeting in Geneva.

A. 12 B. 14

C. 57 D. 63

Sports

1. On Aug 17, England defeated ______ to win the fifth Test, and clinch the series 3-1.

A. Pakistan B. Australia

C. India D. Sri Lanka

2. On Aug 18, the Swiss ace, Roger Federer, won his record______ championship in Cincinnati.

A. Third B. Fourth

C. Fifth D. Sixth

3. On Aug 18, former diplomat Shaharyar Khan became the ______ chairman of the PCB.

A. 28th B. 30th

C. 34th D. 36th

4. Shaharyar Khan previously had held the post between December 2003 and October ______.

A. 2004 B. 2005

C. 2006 D. 2007

5. In second edition of the Youth Olympic Games swimming programme, a total of ______ new World Junior records were established.

A. 20 B. 26

C. 29 D. 32

6. On Aug 26, West Indian players, Denesh Ramdin and Darren Bravo, put on 258 runs to make a new record for ______ wicket partnership in an ODI.

A. First B. Second

C. Third D. Fourth

7. On Aug 28, Wayne Rooney, was named as captain of ______ Football Team.

A. France B. England

C. Argentina D. Spain

8. On Sep 07, Japan's Kei Nishikori became the _____ Asian man to make a Grand Slam final — in the US Open.

A. First B. Second

C. Third D. Fourth

9. On Sep 08, ______ twins Bob and Mike Bryan became the first doubles pair to win 100 titles in tennis.

A. Danish B. American

C. Canadian D. British

10. On Sep 08, Serena Williams defeated ______ to win a third consecutive US Open championship.

A. Maria Sharapova

B. Li Na

C. Caroline Wozniacki

D. Ana Ivanovic

Obituaries

1. Pakistan's first-ever world champion in any sport, squash star Hashim Khan, died on ______.

A. Aug 16 B. Aug 18

C. Aug 19 D. Aug 22

2. Former Irish prime minister, Albert Reynolds, who helped broker the IRA ceasefire in ______, has died.

A. 1990 B. 1994

C. 1996 D. 1997

3. Famous ______ actor and film director Richard Attenborough, who appeared in films such as Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and Jurassic Park, died on August 25.

A. American B. Iranian

C. Canadian D. British

4. Former Sindh Ombudsman Yusuf Jamal, who died on Sep 07, made a record by securing the highest marks in the CSP examination in which he appeared in ______.

A. 1963 B. 1965

C. 1973 D. 1978

5. Acclaimed Indian writer Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy, who was famed for his novels and poems in ______ language, died on August 22.

A. Bangla B. Kannada

C. Tamil D. Hindi

6. Dr Masood Baig, who was killed on ______ was a visiting faculty member in University of Karachi.

A. Sep 06 B. Sep 07

C. Sep 09 D. Sep 10

7. Joan Alexandra Molinsky, a.k.a. Joan Rivers, was an ______ actress, comedian, writer, producer, and television host.

A. American B. British

C. French D. Canadian

8. Parveen Saeed Haroon, the mother of Dawn Media Group CEO Hameed Haroon, passed away on ______.

A. Sep 08 B. Sep 10

C. Sep 12 D. Sep 14

9. Dr S.M. Rab, the longest serving ______ of the country, passed away on Sep 15.

A. Scientist B. Minister

C. Physician D. Bureaucrat

10 Questions with Muhammad Musa Ali Bokhari

14th Position CSS 2013 | JWT provides a shortcut to prepare better and that too in a lesser time through the quality stuff. Before actually taking the CSS exam, I combed through previous issues of JWT.

Jahangir's World Times (JWT): First of all, for the interest of JWT readers and CSS, PMS aspirants, please tell us about your academic background.

Mohammad Musa Ali Bokhari (MMAB): I got schooled at the Aitchison College, Lahore where I had a wonderful experience in activities, ranging from curricular to co- and extracurricular ones including swimming, horse riding, athletics, etc. Being an Aitchisonian is the force behind what I am today, and I have the fondest of memories regarding this most prestigious institution of the country. Through your esteemed publication, Jahangir's World Times, I take this opportunity to pay tribute and homage to Aitchison College and its principal, Sir Shamim Saifullah Khan, as he always strives to instil in students the cherished qualities of discipline, hard work, integrity and reverence for moral values.

After completing my O Levels, I did intermediate from Government College University (GCU), Lahore. Later, I go admitted to the five-year programme of B.A LL.B (Hons) offered by the Punjab University Law College. My experience as chief editor of the student magazine and as Secretary Law Moot Society at the university helped me a lot in widening my thought horizons.

JWT: Was joining the Civil Services always the top priority for your future career plans?

MMAB: Actually, I belong to a family of officers. My great-grandfather and grandfather were well-known police officers. My father had served as a Judge. I always felt a great charm in police uniform, and I would often wear my grandfather's police cap. So yes, you can say, joining the Civil Services has always been my top priority as I wanted to become an officer just like my elders. I am proud that I have carried on the legacy of my family.

JWT: Why PAS was your first choice?

MMAB: Yes, it was. Because, I feel all occupational groups in Central Superior Services are unique in some way or the other. Nevertheless, Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) offers a broad spectrum for serving the masses as PAS officers get the opportunities to serve in various departments at national level including health, education, law and order, industry, economy, etc. The PAS officers reach the highest posts of Pakistan's federal bureaucracy and they have the power and influence to leave a positive impact on and contribution to the welfare of general public.

JWT: What would you advise the readers and CSS aspirants because your thoughts would surely inspire them to go for the CSS? And, how Jahangir's World Times (JWT) can be a source of fruitful guidance for them?

MMAB: It is said that to enjoy the rainbow, one must endure the storm and this should suffice as my advice to aspirants. I would say that CSS requires patience, perseverance and motivation. This makes CSS exam a severe game of nerves.
As far as JWT is concerned, I must say that it provides a shortcut to prepare better and that too in a lesser time through the quality stuff penned by eminent writers like former Foreign Secretary Mr Shamshad Ahmed. Before actually taking the CSS exam, I combed through previous issues of JWT.

JWT: Do you think seeking guidance from an academy or a mentor is inevitable to get through CSS?

MMAB: I believe proper guidance is absolutely necessary for new aspirants to be on the right track. I am fortunate to have my mentor at home in form of my father, Dr Syed Ali Sana Bokhari. He had the honour to top his batch of PCS judiciary exam. So, I mean guidance is necessary; academy or individual mentor, choice is yours.

JWT: To whom would you credit with your success?

MMAB: I thank Allah for being so generous and very kind to me. After Allah Almighty, I am extremely grateful to my parents as well as my siblings. The prayers of my mother and her support lifted me to this position.

JWT: How one can create a difference in written exam? And, what was your strategy for the English essay?

MMAB: I think when you make things easy for the examiner, you are actually making things fruitful for yourself. Make the presentation of your answer prim and proper. Do give headings, use highlighters and write to the point. Just avoid beating about the bush. And, most importantly, do comprehend the questions before answering it. Detailed analyses and neatly-drawn diagrams do pay off.
As regards strategy for essay paper, frankly speaking, I strongly believed that Essay is one question and it has only one correct answer. So, I consistently practiced essay writing while preparing for the exam. I think it's a drill which has to be done regularly. Flaunting vocabulary is not needed at all.

JWT: What could be the best way to select optional subjects? What was the main feature of your strategy for International Law as your score in it was simply excellent?

MMAB: I think CE-2013 was a shut-up call to all those who indulge in the rhetoric of scoring and non-scoring subjects. It also debunked the myth that cramming can be the key to success. I would advise all the aspirants to choose subjects that are of interest to them. A choice of overlapping subjects e.g. Indo-Pak History and Pakistan Affairs, would help a great deal. Now, coming to my score in International Law, I would say that I was my most favourite subject and studying it was no ordeal for me.

JWT: You managed to score well in Current Affairs but not in Muslim Law. What were the reasons for this?

MMAB: As far as Current Affairs is concerned, a great deal of reading went into it. I studied the important topics of the time at great length. Correct expression and deep critical analyses also helped me fetch good marks.
For Muslim Law, neither I ignored the subject nor was I ill prepared. But, I could not get the scores I had expected.

JWT: How would you describe the Psychological Assessment and Viva Voce phase of the CSS?

MMAB: I must admit that I was a bit nervous while entering the room but I got settled within no time. The panellists also put me at ease — of course they grilled me but I confidently answered their questions. I believe my answers were original, rational and impressive. If I didn't know the answer to a question, I simply excused by saying sorry. I believe I managed it quite well and during the conclusive minutes, I almost began to enjoy it.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan

Pakistan’s first major foreign policy decision was obligated by India’s hostility, manifest in refusal to respect the principles of the partition and transfer Pakistan’s share of British India’s assets, including the ordnance stores that left Pakistan’s Armed forces of 50,000 men without weapons for defence. In order to secure its independence, the new born state was in need of funds. For that reason, the government decided in October 1947 to move towards US for a loan of $ 2billion for defence procurement and economic progress.

Quotes

No foreign policy — no matter how ingenious — has any chance of success if it is born in the minds of a few and carried in the hearts of none.
Henry A. Kissinger

“Foreign Policy is the use of political influence in order to induce other states to exercise their lawmaking power in a manner desired by the states concerned: it is an interaction between forces originating outside the country’s borders and those working within them”.
Prof. F. S. Northedge

“Idealistic in inspiration, Pakistan’s foreign policy had to quickly come to grips with the reality of the challenge to its right to peaceful coexistence.”
Agha Shahi

“The foreign policy of a country is in a sense a projection of its internal policies, social, political and economic.”
(F. M. Muhammad Ayub Khan)

Definitions

Oxford Dictionary

A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations

Encyclopaedia Britannica

General objectives that guide the activities and relationships of one state in its interactions with other states.

Merriam Webster Dictionary

The policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states

General Definitions

1. Foreign policy dictates how a country will act with respect to other countries politically, socially, economically, and militarily, and to a somewhat lesser extent, how it behaves towards non-state actors.

2. Foreign policy is the name of relations between sovereign states. It is reflection of domestic politics and an interaction among sovereign states. It indicates the principles and preferences on which a country wants to establish relations with another country.

Stages of Foreign Policy Making

Foreign policy makers follow the same five steps with which public policy gets made:

1. Agenda setting: A problem or issue rises to prominence on the agenda.

2. Formulation: Possible policies are created and debated.

3. Adoption: The government adopts one policy.

4. Implementation: The appropriate government agency enacts the policy.

5. Evaluation: Officials and agencies judge whether the policy has been successful.

Tools of Foreign Policy

Diplomacy is the tool of foreign policy, and war, alliances, and international trade may all be manifestations of it.

Kinds of Diplomacy

“Diplomacy is a game of chess in which the nations are checkmated.” (Karl Kraus)

Track 1 Diplomacy

Official discussions typically involving high-level political and military leaders and focusing on ceasefires, peace talks, and treaties and other agreements.

Track 2 Diplomacy

Unofficial dialogue and problem-solving activities aimed at building relationships and encouraging new thinking that can inform the official process. Track 2 activities typically involve influential academic, religious, and NGO leaders and other civil society actors who can interact more freely than high-ranking officials.

Track 3 Diplomacy

People-to-people diplomacy undertaken by individuals and private groups to encourage interaction and understanding between hostile communities and involving awareness raising and empowerment within these communities. Normally focused at the grassroots level, this type of diplomacy often involves organizing meetings and conferences, generating media exposure, and political and legal advocacy for marginalized people and communities.

Backchannel or Backdoor Diplomacy

Secret lines of communication held open between two adversaries. It is often communicated through an informal intermediary or through a third party.

Multitrack diplomacy

A term for operating on several tracks simultaneously, including official and unofficial conflict resolution efforts, citizen and scientific exchanges, international business negotiations, international cultural and athletic activities, and other cooperative efforts.

Approaches to Foreign Policy

There are few kinds of approaches of foreign policy, which help in understanding the foreign policy but they are used in different period of history. These are Historical or Traditional Approaches. These approaches have been adopted for the study of diplomatic events of a particular period with accuracy, precision, so as to learn lesson for future on the basis of past experience.

Legalistic Approach

This approach lays emphasis on the study of foreign policy in legalistic terms. Efforts are made to study the external relations of the states in the light of international law, treaties, constitutional provisions etc.

Descriptive Approach

The scholars adopting this approach pick up some specific problems or conceptual framework, using their own judgement on the weighing of various factors.

Analytical Approach

This approach differs from all other approaches of study not only with regards to the method but also in of international politics.

Comparative Approach

The comparative approach for the study of foreign policies is of relatively recent origin and draws inspiration from the study of comparative government.

Ideological Approach

This approach tries to analyze foreign policy as an expression of the prevailing political, social or religious beliefs. Thus, the policies are classified as democratic or authoritarian; liberal and socialistic, peace-loving or aggressive. However, the study of foreign policy purely on ideological basis is not possible because when there is clash between ideology and rational interests, the former is abandoned.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan

A country’s foreign policy is supposed to stay in lockstep with its political progression. By this yardstick, Pakistan’s foreign policy has, indeed, kept as tortuous a course as its political meandering, stumbling from crisis to crisis.

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy is determined by the inescapable facts of history and of geography and by special influences which may be of transitory nature. A look back at the history of Pakistan’s foreign policy reveals a continuity of aims as well as changing strategies. There have been shifts in policy from time to time in the light of changes in the global and regional environment.

Guiding Principles of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

“Our foreign policy is one of the friendliness and goodwill towards all the nation of the world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair-play in national and international dealings, and are prepared to make our contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

“The State shall endeavour to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.”

(Article 40 of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973)

Foreign Policy Objectives

The objectives of foreign policy can be summarized as under:

1. Promotion Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate, and democratic Islamic country.

2. Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially major powers and immediate neighbours.

3. Safeguarding national security and geo-strategic interests, including Kashmir.

4. Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with international community.

5. Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad.

6. Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and international cooperation.

Determinants

The following five factors are the main determinants of Pakistan’s foreign policy:

(i) Ideological Obligation

Islamic ideology is a very important factor in the determination of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The late Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan once said:
“Pakistan came into being as a result of the urge felt by the Muslims of this subcontinent to secure a territory, however limited, where the Islamic ideology and way of life could be practiced and demonstrated to the world.”

(ii)Historical Legacy

Pakistan inherited from the British files of the India Office the fear of Russia. Pakistan’s foreign policy makers always sought western assistance to stem the Russian advance towards their territory, though at present there is an interregnum period in this threat perception.

(iii)Geographical Location

When we look at Pakistan’s location, the statement that “the foreign policy of Pakistan largely begins and ends at her borders, more particularly at the Indian border,” seems to be accurate. A cursory look at the map of Pakistan indicates that roughly half of Pakistan’s land frontiers meet with India, about one-third with Afghanistan, approximately one-sixth with Iran and a very small strip with China. Russia is also very close to it through her former republic of Tajikistan.

(iv)The Indian Threat

Since independence, Pakistan’s national security is being threatened by the India because the British left the Kashmir issue unresolved and three wars have been fought between both countries. As long as the Kashmir issue is unresolved Pakistan has to formulate its foreign policy by keeping in view this constant danger.

(v)Economic Compulsions
Pakistan as a developing country also needs to establish and maintain cordial relations with those states with whom it can maximize its trade relations or from whom it can obtain maximum economic aid.

Overview of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy – major trends and turns

Generally, Pakistan’s foreign policy may be described as:
•    Pro-West
•    India-centric
•    Security-oriented
Following trends are visible in Pakistan’s foreign policy:
•    1947-53 – neutral foreign policy
•    1953-62 – alignment with the West (SEATO, CENTO, Mutual Cooperation Pact, US Foreign Assistance Act)
•    Pakistan became US’ “most-allied ally in Asia”
•    1963-71 – phase of transition
•    1971-79 – bilateralism and non-alignment (introduced by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto)
•    1980-88 – tilted non-alignment (Pro-US but still normal with socialists except Soviet Union)
•    1989-2000 – search for allies (oscillating relationship with US; issues-based foreign policy)
•    2000 – on wards frontline state in war on terror; allegations of double game

Major Foreign Policy Decisions

1. Pakistan’s first major foreign policy decision was obligated by India’s hostility, manifest in refusal to respect the principles of the partition and transfer Pakistan’s share of British India’s assets, including the ordnance stores that left Pakistan’s Armed forces of 50,000 men without weapons for defence. In order to secure its independence, the new born state was in need of funds. For that reason, the government decided in October 1947 to move towards US for a loan of $ 2billion for defence procurement and economic progress.

2. The second major foreign policy decision was a consequence of US strategy for making a military alliance in the Middle East for the defence of political stability and safeguard of access to the rich petroleum resources of the Gulf region. In the mid-1950s, Pakistan had global, regional and domestic raison d'être to join Western-sponsored military pacts (and Grasping the opportunity for defence, Pakistani leaders decided to sign a defence agreement SEATO, 1954 and Baghdad Pact, 1955 which was renamed as CENTO in 1958.

During 1954-62, Pakistan received $ 5 billion (about $ 20 billion in current prices) in economic aid and arms supplies.

3. Third major foreign policy decision was seen when Pak-US relations with the United States came under increasing strain. Ayub Khan (1958-69) is considered to be the architect of Pak-US defence relations and therefore, he simultaneously offered India a “Joint Defence Pact”. Possibly under American pressure and against the popular reaction at home, he defied the temptation to march into Kashmir in 1962 when India was all enmeshed with the Chinese in its North-East

4. The fourth turning point followed the defeat and disaster of 1971, as soon as Pakistan reversed its policy of nuclear abstinence. When Bhutto came to power, the overall Indo-Pak power equation had skewed towards India and Pakistan was no match for it. Bhutto initiated to stress Pakistan’s Middle-Eastern character and asserted that Pakistan drew its purpose and identity principally from the sands of the Arabian Peninsula. Consequently, Pakistan received much aid from the Shiekhs of Gulf and vowed to make bomb as a retort to Indian alleged “peaceful explosion” of 1974.

5. The fifth turning point came after the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in December 1979. The Super power advanced to Pakistan’s border and exposed Pakistan to the nightmare of the Indo-Soviet nutcracker. After an initial hesitation, Pakistan accepted US cooperation, assistance. In 1990, out of the blue, this period of the revitalized alliance ended, when the US President Senior Bush (1989-93), invoked the Pressler Law again to slap sanctions on Pakistan.
6. Pakistan’s decision to “join world community in the war against terrorism brought it back into the international mainstream and won it the revived and stronger support from major countries of the world, which it very much required in order to fight Al Qaeda and the indigenous Taliban who unleashed a reign of terror against Pakistani state and its people.

Future Challenges

The strategic environment around Pakistan is evolving and changing rapidly and it warrants an adjustment of foreign policy to take advantage of the changes or at least remain in sync with them. Unfortunately, the domestic scene does not support such an effort. Pakistan does not have a foreign minister and many embassies still await ambassadors. The world is moving on and it is doing so without Pakistan on board.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing an all-parties conference in early August, said that Pakistan was becoming isolated and other than China, it had no real friends in the region. Clearly, an unstable government can’t really focus on foreign policy, which in any case, is determined by the national security doctrine set by the country’s powerful military. That the Chinese President visited India and did not stop in Pakistan is a historical departure. Domestic turbulence in Pakistan may have contributed to this, but the red-carpet treatment given to President Xi Jinping in India is a signal that must not be underestimated. India is aggressively pursuing the strategy of its economic and business expansion, with Sino-Indian trade volume exceeding $70 billion now.

In today’s changed world, Pakistan needs internal stability and strength to pursue its foreign policy interests. This is not the time to create internal instabilities. This is the time for internal harmony so that the government can govern.

HOW TO ACE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

It goes without saying that taking the CSS Exam is an extremely arduous task. Given all the difficulties the candidates face, they might wonder why they are further grilled through psychological assessment. But, conducting psychological assessment of the would-be officers seems imperative because the civil servants should possess the talent, skills and aptitude befitting to their job, as they have to work for the betterment of the society.

Introduction

Psychological assessment is the name given to a process of evaluating and assessing an individual. The psychologists integrate information collected from multiple sources such as tests of personality, ability, intelligence, interests and attitude. The findings revealed from these tests are further supported and confirmed by relating them to background information, behavioural observation and one-to-one interview with the psychologists.

Types

Psychological tests for recruitment can be divided into two main categories: Ability Tests and Personality Tests.

1. Ability Tests

The ability tests measure intellectual and reasoning abilities of the candidates. These consist of multiple choice questions (MCQs) or short Q&A format. These limited time tests can be passed only if you are speedy as well as accurate in your answers. The different types of ability tests can be categorized as follows:
a. Abstract Ability: These tests attempt to assess the ability of the candidate in identifying the underlying logic of a pattern and then determine the solution.

Sample

b. Verbal Ability: This test purports to measure understanding and comprehension skills of the candidate. It is a measure of how well you understand analogies.

Sample

RACE : FATIGUE

a). Track : Athlete b). Ant : Bug
c). Fast : Hunger d) Hook : Fish

c. Numerical Ability: This test is used to assess your knowledge of basic arithmetic, number series, and simple mathematics.

2. Personality Tests

It is usually said that personality tests do not have any right or wrong answers. This is but only half true. No doubt you will not be given scores on the test but what you say reflects a lot about the personality you possess — your confidence, decision-making skills, leadership abilities, etc., will be assessed through personality tests. These can also be classified into two types:

a. Non-projective Personality Tests: In these tests, the candidates are required to respond in true and false to a series of statements relating to their feelings, thoughts, emotions and behaviour in a variety of situations.

Sample

Are you slow at making friendships with people?
Do you think there are more nice people than fools in the world?
Do you ever make a promise you know you won't be able to keep?
b. Projective Personality Tests: The projective tests included in CSS exam usually include story writing and completion of sentences.
I. Story Writing: The candidates may either be given pictures to write a story on or may be asked to complete a story. While taking this test, candidates should keep certain things in mind. Firstly, the stories should have a proper beginning as well as ending. The stories should be given a title and the candidates should cover such issues as what is happening in the picture, what led to the scene in the picture, what are the thoughts and feelings of the characters and what will be the outcome.
ii. Completion of Sentences: The candidates may be asked to complete sentences by writing the very first thing that comes into their mind. They may also be given words to make sentences with. This test is timed so that the candidates do not try to fake good in the test.
Te best part…..
At bedtime…..
My mother…..
Sports are…..
Girls are….

Autobiography

The candidates may be asked to write an autobiography in which they are expected to write as to who they are and what they aspire to be. The candidate should provide details regarding his/her name, date of birth, place of birth, childhood experiences, educational background, occupational history, social history (relations with family, friends and colleagues), why they decided to go for CSS, what is their first preference and what qualities do they possess that would help them in doing justice to their Service.

Questions Relating to the Candidate

In this part, the candidates may be asked several questions relating to their personality, experiences, relations with others, interests and attitudes. The purpose of administering this test is to get a better understanding of the candidate. These questions are asked to know how well you can assess yourself. Do not hesitate in writing your weaknesses, if asked. A person who knows his strengths and weaknesses is in a better position to utilize his strengths when need be and overcome his short comings.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your achievements?
Write memories of your childhood?
Any decision that you took that went against your expectation?

How to Prepare?

Making yourself familiar with the different types of tests, their format and the way questions are asked is the first step to prepare for psychological assessment.

1. Practice online tests. This will not only give you a fair idea of what to expect on the day of psychological assessment but will improve your speed and accuracy.

2. Candidates who are not in touch with mathematics are recommended to get back to the basics of arithmetic.

3. Try to solve questions related to percentage and ratio and practice number sequences.

4. Try to increase your vocabulary so that tests assessing your analogical reasoning do not pose problems for you.

On the Test Day

1. Sleep and rest properly before the important day.

2. Do not skip your breakfast. This is the worst thing you can do to yourself.

3. Avoid taking any medicine that may make you feel drowsy.

4. Take with you everything that you might need — pencil, sharpener and eraser particularly.

5. Reach the examination centre well before time to avoid any inconvenience.

6. Wear a watch. Do not depend on mobile phones to keep a track of time.

7. Don't mind if the psychologist appears to be cold and unfriendly. They are supposed to be like that.

8. Listen to the instructions carefully. Do not proceed with a test unless you have fully understood the instructions.

9. Do not try to cheat as it would be of no use because candidates sitting near to you may not be having the same booklet as you.

10. Do not let anxiety overpower you. Keep calm. In case of anxiety, do deep breathing.

Group Discussion

The main purpose of group discussion for selection is to assess the abilities of the candidates to work as a team. It's very important for the candidates to understand that group discussion unlike debate is a cooperative group process. Through group discussions, psychologists evaluate your knowledge, communication skills, leadership abilities and interpersonal style.

How to Prepare

Make it clear in the very beginning what is required of you in a group discussion.

Prepare yourself to speak on various topics. The best possible way to equip yourself with knowledge is to go through your current affairs notes and read daily newspapers.

To stand out in group discussion, express your thoughts candidly and convincingly. This can be achieved by practicing alone and with your friends. While practicing alone, speak on some topic and record your voice. This will help you identify your flaws.

Increase your English and Urdu vocabulary. For this, it is important that you read the newspapers — both English and Urdu.

Needless to say, practice daily before the big day.

Dos of Group Discussion

Do initiate the discussion if you have solid knowledge about the topic.
Do maintain an eye contact with the speaker.
Do try to be an active listener.
Do be assertive but not aggressive.
Do avoid grammatical errors.
Do prove your point with reason.

Don'ts of Group Discussion

Don't talk too much; allow others to speak.
Don't interrupt anybody.
Don't drift away from the topic.
Don't use English words in Urdu discussion and vice versa.
Don't lose your temper in an attempt to equal scores.

Important Topics

America is justified in attacking Iran in order to control nuclear proliferation.
Joint family system is a matter of the past.
Should India be given MFN status?
Is there a need to make more provinces?

Command Task

In command task, the candidates are given a task which they have to perform in conditions that are as near to the work environment as possible. Command tasks are conducted to assess the teamwork and leadership abilities of the candidates.

How to Prepare?

Candidates must know the hierarchy and job description of each Service.
Read newspapers. The situations given in command tasks are usually based on real events. News reports can provide you with knowledge as to how such problems are to be dealt with.
Try to work out various command tasks and draw up strategies.
To nail command task, practice it alone and with your friends.

Exclusive Tips

Be confident
Read the command task carefully.
Make your own strategy. Don't depend on the suggestions of group members.
Try to finish the command task in the prescribed time limit.
Encourage others to participate but do not pinpoint somebody to give a suggestion.
Begin your command task by greeting the group.
Clearly explain the situation and seek suggestions from them.
In the end, tell the strategy plan that you have chalked out. It would be better if the strategies are mentioned in a systematic and organized way.

Samples

Gas is not being provided to the textile mills and the government is increasing the export of cotton. The millers are against this. Draw up a strategy.
To increase the literacy rate and to decrease the dropout ratio the government has asked not to take final exams of children from class 1 to 4. The teachers' union is against this move. You, being the Secretary for Education, chalk out a plan.

Interview with the Psychologists

In the end, the candidates are required to appear before the psychologists for a brief interview. It is more of a discussion with the psychologists. The purpose of the interview is to know more about you and to clear ambiguity, if any, relating to the information that you provided in the psychological tests. The psychologists may ask questions related to you and your family, and also your educational and occupational history. They may also ask your opinion on various national and international affairs and some questions on your optional subjects. Once all the phases are complete, the psychologists will make a complete report