Paper: Current Affairs
Marks: 100
The CSS Current Affairs (CA) paper tests a candidate’s knowledge of Pakistan’s domestic issues, foreign policy, global affairs, and international relations. Candidates must demonstrate not only facts but also critical analysis, interpretation, and awareness of ongoing developments.
Syllabus Breakdown
I. Pakistan’s Domestic Affairs (20 Marks)
- Political Affairs → Democracy, governance, civil-military relations, federalism, political stability, constitutional developments.
- Economic Affairs → Economy of Pakistan, CPEC, debt, trade, industries, taxation, IMF policies, poverty, inflation, unemployment.
- Social Affairs → Education, health, gender equality, extremism, human rights, population growth, social reforms.
II. Pakistan’s External Affairs (40 Marks)
- Relations with Neighbors → India, China, Afghanistan, Russia
- Relations with Muslim World → Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, GCC states
- Relations with the United States
- Relations with International & Regional Organizations → UN, OIC, WTO, ECO, SAARC, GCC
III. Global Issues (40 Marks)
- International Security – NATO, UN peacekeeping, arms race
- International Political Economy – Trade blocs, global financial system
- Human Rights – UNHRC, women & minority rights, refugee crisis
- Environment – Global warming, Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen Accord, climate change policies
- Population – Trends, policies, migration
- Terrorism & Counterterrorism – Global War on Terror, FATF, Pakistan’s role
- Global Energy Politics – Oil, gas, renewable energy, energy security
- Nuclear Proliferation & Security – NPT, CTBT, nuclear disarmament
- Nuclear Politics in South Asia – Pakistan-India nuclear doctrine, deterrence
- International Trade – Doha Round, WTO, Bali Package
- Geo-politics of Oceans – Cooperation & competition in Arabian Sea, Indian & Pacific Oceans
- Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Globalization – Impacts on economy, culture & politics
- Middle East Crisis – Syria, Iraq, Yemen
- Kashmir Dispute
- Palestine Issue
Suggested Readings
- Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2005: A Concise History – Abdul Sattar
- Issues in Pakistan’s Economy – Akbar S. Zaidi
- Pakistan: A Hard Country – Anatol Lieven
- Government & Politics in South Asia – Baxter, Malik, Kennedy & Oberst
- Introduction to International Political Economy – David Balaam & Bradford Dillman
- International Organizations – Volker Rittberger, Bernhard Zangl & Andress Kruck
- The Age of Deception: Nuclear Diplomacy in Treacherous Times – Mohamed ElBaradei
- International Relations – Joshua Goldstein
- World Politics: Trends & Transformation – Kegley & Blanton
- Pakistan Beyond the Crisis State – Maleeha Lodhi
- Globalization in Question – Paul Hirst
- International Political Economy: Interests & Institutions in the Global Economy – Thomas Oatley
- Politics and Change in the Middle East – Andersen, Wagner & Seibert
- Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb – Feroz Khan
- Pakistan and World Affairs – Shamshad Ahmad
- World Times Magazine (Monthly)
Preparation Tips for Current Affairs
- Daily News: Read Dawn, Express Tribune, The News International, BBC, Al Jazeera.
- Monthly Magazines: JWT (Jahangir’s World Times), World Times, Newsline.
- Foreign Policy Updates: Regularly check Pakistan’s relations with major powers & neighbors.
- Use Notes: Keep updated notes on key global issues like climate change, terrorism, energy crisis.
- Link with Pakistan: Always connect global issues back to Pakistan’s interests in your answers.
- Practice Essays & Questions: Write structured answers with intro-body-conclusion style.