CSS Pakistan Affairs 2020 – Solved MCQs (with Explanations)
Introduction
The Pakistan Affairs paper for CSS 2020 included a mix of history, constitutional developments, economy, and contemporary issues. Below are the solved MCQs with explanations to make them useful for CSS aspirants who want both accuracy and context.
Q1. Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Mujaddid Alf Sani) was born on:
(A) 16 June, 1574 ✅
(B) 26 June, 1564
(C) 26 June, 1664
(D) None of these
Explanation: Mujaddid Alf Sani, also known as Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, was born on 16 June 1574 in Sirhind, India. He is renowned for his struggle against Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi and for reviving Islamic values in the subcontinent.
Q2. The withdrawal of Soviet Military Forces from Afghanistan began on:
(A) 15 February, 1989
(B) 14 April, 1988 ✅
(C) 15 May, 1988
(D) None of these
Explanation: After the Geneva Accords (1988), Soviet troops began withdrawing on 14 April 1988 and completed the withdrawal on 15 February 1989. Pakistan played a crucial role in Afghan resistance.
Q3. Which Mughal Emperor proclaimed Din-i-Ilahi or Divine Faith?
(A) Humayun
(B) Jahangir
(C) Akbar ✅
(D) Aurangzeb
Explanation: Emperor Akbar (1556–1605) introduced Din-i-Ilahi in 1582, a syncretic faith combining elements of different religions, but it failed to gain mass acceptance.
Q4. Causes of Indian Revolt was written by:
(A) Eric Stokes
(B) Sir Richard Temple
(C) Syed Ahmed Khan ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: After the 1857 War of Independence, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan wrote Causes of the Indian Revolt to explain the reasons to the British, aiming to reduce hostilities between Muslims and the colonial government.
Q5. Darul Uloom Deoband was founded in:
(A) 30 June, 1864
(B) 31 May, 1866 ✅
(C) 27 May, 1866
(D) None of these
Explanation: Darul Uloom Deoband was established on 31 May 1866 in Deoband, India. It became a center of Islamic learning and resistance against British influence.
Q6. What is the total length of Pakistan’s coastal area in miles?
(A) 660 Km
(B) 970 Km ✅
(C) 990 Km
(D) 1140 Km
Explanation: Pakistan’s coastline is approximately 970 km (around 600 miles), stretching along the Arabian Sea from Sindh to Balochistan.
Q7. Pakistan became a full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on:
(A) 26 April, 1996
(B) 9 June, 2017 ✅
(C) 19 July, 2018
(D) None of these
Explanation: Pakistan joined SCO as a full member on 9 June 2017 during the Astana summit in Kazakhstan.
Q8. Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on:
(A) 30 May, 1998
(B) 31 May, 1998
(C) 28 May, 1998 ✅
(D) 29 May, 1998
Explanation: Known as Youm-e-Takbeer, Pakistan carried out six nuclear tests on 28 May 1998 in Chagai, Balochistan, in response to India’s tests.
Q9. Who was the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States (2019–2020)?
(A) Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry
(B) Ali Jehangir Siddiqui
(C) Jalil Abbas Jilani
(D) Asad Majeed Khan ✅
Explanation: Dr. Asad Majeed Khan served as Pakistan’s ambassador to the US from January 2019 to 2022.
Q10. Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched on:
(A) 10 July, 2014
(B) 01 March, 2014
(C) 15 June, 2014 ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: Pakistan Army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb on 15 June 2014 in North Waziristan to eliminate terrorism and militant networks.
Q11. Pakistan was to host the 19th SAARC summit in:
(A) November 2014
(B) November 2016 ✅
(C) November 2018
(D) November 2020
Explanation: The 19th SAARC Summit was scheduled in Islamabad in November 2016 but was cancelled due to tensions after the Uri attack in India.
Q12. Pakistan and Qatar signed a long-term LNG supply agreement on:
(A) 20 May, 2019
(B) 10 February, 2016 ✅
(C) 15 January, 2019
(D) 5 May, 2017
Explanation: Pakistan and Qatar signed a 15-year LNG deal on 10 February 2016 to meet Pakistan’s energy needs.
Q13. The term 26/11 refers to which terrorist attack?
(A) 2014 Peshawar APS Attack
(B) 2008 Mumbai Attack ✅
(C) 2007 Karsaz Attack
(D) None of these
Explanation: 26/11 refers to the Mumbai terror attacks on 26 November 2008, carried out by armed militants.
Q14. By which decree was Article 370 of India’s Constitution revoked?
(A) 5 August, 2018
(B) 5 August, 2019 ✅
(C) 15 August, 2019
(D) 26 January, 2019
Explanation: On 5 August 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, ending Jammu & Kashmir’s special status.
Q15. The GDP growth rate for the financial year 2018–19 was recorded at:
(A) 5.6
(B) 4.8
(C) 2.9 ✅
(D) 2.7
Explanation: Pakistan’s GDP growth rate dropped to 2.9% in 2018–19 due to economic slowdown and external pressures.
Q16. The 18th Amendment became part of Pakistan’s Constitution on:
(A) 8 April, 2010
(B) 15 April, 2010
(C) 19 April, 2010
(D) 21 April, 2010 ✅
Explanation: The 18th Amendment was passed by Parliament and became law on 21 April 2010, strengthening provincial autonomy.
Q17. In Pakistan, what percentage of the population lives below the poverty line?
(A) 13%
(B) 19%
(C) 24% ✅
(D) 27%
Explanation: Around 24% of Pakistan’s population lives below the national poverty line, reflecting structural economic challenges.
Q18. Through which Constitutional Amendment were FATA merged with KP?
(A) 17th Amendment
(B) 25th Amendment ✅
(C) 22nd Amendment
(D) 24th Amendment
Explanation: The 25th Constitutional Amendment (2018) merged FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to bring tribal areas into mainstream governance.
Q19. Which article declares education free and compulsory for ages 5–16?
(A) Article 140A
(B) Article 91(5)
(C) Article 23
(D) Article 25A ✅
Explanation: Article 25A of Pakistan’s Constitution (added in the 18th Amendment) makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right.
Q20. Pakistan’s rank in WHO’s world health systems ranking out of 190 countries was:
(A) 77
(B) 108
(C) 122 ✅
(D) 139
Explanation: WHO ranked Pakistan’s healthcare system at 122 out of 190 countries, reflecting underfunding and lack of infrastructure.
Conclusion & Tips
The CSS 2020 Pakistan Affairs MCQs covered history (Sirhindi, Akbar, 1857 revolt), constitutional developments (18th & 25th Amendments), economy, and geopolitics (SCO, LNG, Kashmir issue). Preparing with explanations instead of rote memorization gives aspirants a better grasp of context and makes revision easier.