Paper: Pakistan Affairs
Marks: 100
The CSS Pakistan Affairs paper examines a candidate’s understanding of Pakistan’s history, ideology, politics, geography, economy, society, and foreign policy. It requires not just memorization of facts but also critical analysis, interpretation of events, and application to contemporary challenges.
Syllabus Breakdown
I. Historical & Ideological Foundations
- Ideology of Pakistan: definition, significance, historical background
- Muslim rule in the Subcontinent: rise, decline, and reform efforts
- Reform Movements: Shaikh Ahmad Sarhindi, Shah Waliullah, Syed Ahmad Shaheed
- Educational and revivalist movements: Aligarh, Deoband, Nadwah, Sindh Madrassah, Islamia College Peshawar
- Ideology in the light of Allama Iqbal & Quaid-i-Azam’s speeches
II. Geography, Society & Resources
- Land and people of Pakistan
- Geography, natural resources, climate, and demographics
- Agriculture, industry, and education: trends, problems, opportunities
III. Contemporary Issues in Pakistan
- Regional apparatus & changing geopolitics
- Nuclear program: safety, security, and international concerns
- Regional cooperation (SAARC, ECO, SCO) & Pakistan’s role
- Civil-military relations in Pakistan
- Economic challenges: debt, inflation, unemployment, CPEC, IMF role
- Non-traditional security threats: terrorism, extremism, non-state actors
- National security challenges and sovereignty issues
- Political evolution since 1971
- Democracy vs authoritarianism in Pakistan
- Ethnic issues & national integration
- Hydro-politics & water disputes
IV. Pakistan’s Role in International Affairs
- Pakistan’s relations with neighbors (excluding India)
- Pakistan-India relations since 1947
- The Kashmir issue: past, present, and future
- War in Afghanistan (1979 onwards) and its impact on Pakistan, esp. post-2014
- Proxy wars & external elements in Pakistan’s security environment
- Foreign Policy of Pakistan, especially post-9/11
- Pakistan and the US War on Terror
V. Social & Legal Dynamics
- Social problems: poverty, health, education, sanitation, gender inequality
- National interest & policy-making
- Energy crisis and its effects
- Recent constitutional and legal debates
- Latest constitutional amendments
- Role of higher judiciary in Pakistan
VI. Economic Affairs
- Economic conditions of Pakistan
- Latest Pakistan Economic Survey findings
- Federal Budgets (previous & current)
- Performance of major economic sectors: agriculture, services, manufacturing
Suggested Readings
- Federalism and Ethnic Conflict Regulation in India and Pakistan – Katharine Adeney
- Labor, Democratization and Development in India and Pakistan – Christopher Candland
- Perception, Politics and Security in South Asia – P.R. Chari et al.
- The Future of Pakistan – Stephen P. Cohen
- Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam – Zahid Hussain
- Modern South Asia: History, Culture, Political Economy – Ayesha Jalal & Sugata Bose
- Democracy and Authoritarianism in South Asia – Ayesha Jalal
- Conflict Between India and Pakistan: An Encyclopedia – Peter Lyon
- Back to Pakistan: A Fifty-Year Journey – Leslie Noyes Mass
- Judging the State: Courts and Constitutional Politics in Pakistan – Paula R. Newberg
- Pakistan: Manifest Destiny – Atiff Qureshi
- Deadly Embrace: Pakistan, America, and the Future of Global Jihad – Bruce Riedel
- Kashmir in Conflict – Victoria Schofield
- Islamic Law and the Law of Armed Conflict: The Armed Conflict in Pakistan – Niaz A. Shah
- Making Sense of Pakistan – Farzana Shaikh
- A Brief History of Pakistan – James Wynbrandt
- Powering Pakistan: Meeting Pakistan’s Energy Needs in the 21st Century – Hathaway & Gugelman
- Pakistan’s Energy Sector: From Crisis to Crisis – Zaid Alahdad
Preparation Strategy for Pakistan Affairs
- Start with history & ideology: Understand ideological roots, reform movements, and founding fathers’ vision.
- Stay updated: Read Dawn, The News, Business Recorder for economy, law, politics.
- Revise economic data: Use latest Economic Survey and Budget highlights.
- Link past & present: In answers, connect history (e.g., Kashmir, Afghan War) with contemporary policy.
- Use maps & facts: Quoting geography, resources, and figures adds value.
- Practice critical writing: Avoid rote memorization—analyze issues like governance, economy, foreign relations.