PAKISTAN Studies : Combined Competitive Examination – 2023 (PMS) Held in 2025

"Debal was a strategic coastal town in the Sindh region which played a key role in the Arab expansion into the Indian subcontinent. Located near modern-day Karachi it served as an important trading hub connecting Arabia with South Asia. In 711 AD the Arab forces under the young commander Muhammad Bin Qasim launched a military campaign against the region after incidents involving attacks on Arab ships. Capturing Debal was crucial because it gave the Arabs a foothold in Sindh from where they could advance inland. This victory marked the beginning of Muslim rule in the area influencing the cultural social and economic history of the subcontinent for centuries. The fall of Debal also facilitated the spread of Islam in the region."

"Sindh Madrassa-tul-Islam was founded in 1885 in Karachi during the British colonial period in India. The institution was established by Hassanally Effendi with the aim of promoting modern education among the Muslim population of Sindh which at that time lagged behind other communities in terms of literacy and modern knowledge. The school emphasized both religious and secular education preparing students for leadership roles in various fields. Many prominent personalities including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah studied here making it historically significant. Its foundation represented a progressive movement for Muslim educational reform blending Islamic teachings with modern sciences and played a vital role in shaping the intellectual elite of the region."

"The title Ambassador of Hindu Muslim Unity was bestowed upon Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah by Sarojini Naidu a prominent Indian freedom fighter and poet. This recognition came during a period when Jinnah was actively working to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims in British India. His political stance at the time favored cooperation between the two communities to achieve self-rule and oppose colonial policies. Jinnah’s role in bringing together different political groups during the Lucknow Pact era exemplified his vision of unity. Although his political journey later led him to advocate for a separate homeland for Muslims this title remains a testament to his earlier efforts at promoting intercommunal harmony."

"The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was a landmark agreement between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League. Under this pact the Congress agreed to allocate one-third of the seats in the legislative councils to Muslim representatives. This was significant because it recognized the political importance of Muslims as a distinct community with their own rights and interests. The agreement helped foster Hindu Muslim cooperation against British rule and presented a united front for constitutional reforms. The pact is often remembered as one of the rare moments of unity in India’s nationalist struggle though the spirit of cooperation eventually dissolved due to political differences in later decades."

"SEATO or the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was a Cold War era defense alliance formed in 1954 to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Pakistan joined the pact as a key ally of the Western bloc reflecting its foreign policy orientation during that period. Muhammad Ali Bogra then the Prime Minister of Pakistan signed the treaty in Manila Philippines. Pakistan’s participation was based on the belief that aligning with Western powers would strengthen its defense capabilities and secure military and economic aid. However critics later argued that SEATO did not adequately serve Pakistan’s strategic interests as the alliance failed to support the country during its conflicts with India."

"Under the 21st Amendment to Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution special military courts were established to try cases involving terrorism. This constitutional change came in the aftermath of the December 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar which shocked the nation and highlighted the need for swift justice in terrorism-related cases. The amendment allowed military officers to preside over trials aiming to bypass the delays and intimidation issues often associated with civilian courts. While proponents saw these courts as necessary for national security opponents raised concerns about fair trial rights and the potential misuse of power. Nonetheless their establishment marked a significant shift in Pakistan’s approach to counterterrorism."

"The Indian National Congress INC was formed in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume a retired British civil servant. Initially the Congress aimed to provide a platform for educated Indians to discuss political reforms and engage with British authorities. Its early sessions were dominated by moderate leaders who sought gradual constitutional changes rather than outright independence. Over time the INC evolved into the principal organization leading India’s freedom struggle adopting more radical stances under leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The founding of the INC marked the beginning of organized political activity in India and laid the groundwork for the eventual end of British colonial rule."

"When Pakistan applied for membership in the United Nations in 1947 Afghanistan was the only country to oppose its admission. This opposition was rooted in political tensions over the Durand Line the border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan established during British rule. Afghanistan did not recognize this border as legitimate and had concerns about the treatment of Pashtun tribes living along it. Despite Afghanistan’s objection Pakistan was admitted to the UN on September 30 1947. This episode reflected early geopolitical challenges for the newly independent state as it sought to establish its place in the international community amid regional disputes."

"The National Action Plan NAP was introduced in 2014 as a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy in Pakistan. It consisted of 20 specific points aimed at eliminating terrorism and extremism from the country. These measures included establishing military courts regulating madrassas curbing hate speech improving the prosecution of terrorists and taking action against armed militias. The plan was formulated after the devastating Peshawar school attack which galvanized public and political support for strong action. NAP represented a coordinated approach involving the military law enforcement judiciary and civil society to tackle both the root causes and active manifestations of extremism."

"The Hingol and Dasht rivers are two notable water bodies in Pakistan’s largest province Baluchistan. The Hingol River flows through the Hingol National Park one of the country’s most scenic and ecologically rich areas. It eventually drains into the Arabian Sea providing water for agriculture and supporting local wildlife. The Dasht River on the other hand flows mainly in the Gwadar and Kech districts playing an important role in the livelihoods of communities in the arid region. Both rivers are vital for sustaining agriculture fishing and biodiversity in an otherwise dry province and they contribute to the ecological balance and cultural heritage of Baluchistan."

"Debal was a strategic coastal town in the Sindh region which played a key role in the Arab expansion into the Indian subcontinent. Located near modern-day Karachi it served as an important trading hub connecting Arabia with South Asia. In 711 AD the Arab forces under the young commander Muhammad Bin Qasim launched a military campaign against the region after incidents involving attacks on Arab ships. Capturing Debal was crucial because it gave the Arabs a foothold in Sindh from where they could advance inland. This victory marked the beginning of Muslim rule in the area influencing the cultural social and economic history of the subcontinent for centuries. The fall of Debal also facilitated the spread of Islam in the region."

"Sindh Madrassa-tul-Islam was founded in 1885 in Karachi during the British colonial period in India. The institution was established by Hassanally Effendi with the aim of promoting modern education among the Muslim population of Sindh which at that time lagged behind other communities in terms of literacy and modern knowledge. The school emphasized both religious and secular education preparing students for leadership roles in various fields. Many prominent personalities including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah studied here making it historically significant. Its foundation represented a progressive movement for Muslim educational reform blending Islamic teachings with modern sciences and played a vital role in shaping the intellectual elite of the region."

"The title Ambassador of Hindu Muslim Unity was bestowed upon Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah by Sarojini Naidu a prominent Indian freedom fighter and poet. This recognition came during a period when Jinnah was actively working to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims in British India. His political stance at the time favored cooperation between the two communities to achieve self-rule and oppose colonial policies. Jinnah’s role in bringing together different political groups during the Lucknow Pact era exemplified his vision of unity. Although his political journey later led him to advocate for a separate homeland for Muslims this title remains a testament to his earlier efforts at promoting intercommunal harmony."

"The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was a landmark agreement between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League. Under this pact the Congress agreed to allocate one-third of the seats in the legislative councils to Muslim representatives. This was significant because it recognized the political importance of Muslims as a distinct community with their own rights and interests. The agreement helped foster Hindu Muslim cooperation against British rule and presented a united front for constitutional reforms. The pact is often remembered as one of the rare moments of unity in India’s nationalist struggle though the spirit of cooperation eventually dissolved due to political differences in later decades."

"SEATO or the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was a Cold War era defense alliance formed in 1954 to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Pakistan joined the pact as a key ally of the Western bloc reflecting its foreign policy orientation during that period. Muhammad Ali Bogra then the Prime Minister of Pakistan signed the treaty in Manila Philippines. Pakistan’s participation was based on the belief that aligning with Western powers would strengthen its defense capabilities and secure military and economic aid. However critics later argued that SEATO did not adequately serve Pakistan’s strategic interests as the alliance failed to support the country during its conflicts with India."

"Under the 21st Amendment to Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution special military courts were established to try cases involving terrorism. This constitutional change came in the aftermath of the December 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar which shocked the nation and highlighted the need for swift justice in terrorism-related cases. The amendment allowed military officers to preside over trials aiming to bypass the delays and intimidation issues often associated with civilian courts. While proponents saw these courts as necessary for national security opponents raised concerns about fair trial rights and the potential misuse of power. Nonetheless their establishment marked a significant shift in Pakistan’s approach to counterterrorism."

"The Indian National Congress INC was formed in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume a retired British civil servant. Initially the Congress aimed to provide a platform for educated Indians to discuss political reforms and engage with British authorities. Its early sessions were dominated by moderate leaders who sought gradual constitutional changes rather than outright independence. Over time the INC evolved into the principal organization leading India’s freedom struggle adopting more radical stances under leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The founding of the INC marked the beginning of organized political activity in India and laid the groundwork for the eventual end of British colonial rule."

"When Pakistan applied for membership in the United Nations in 1947 Afghanistan was the only country to oppose its admission. This opposition was rooted in political tensions over the Durand Line the border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan established during British rule. Afghanistan did not recognize this border as legitimate and had concerns about the treatment of Pashtun tribes living along it. Despite Afghanistan’s objection Pakistan was admitted to the UN on September 30 1947. This episode reflected early geopolitical challenges for the newly independent state as it sought to establish its place in the international community amid regional disputes."

"The National Action Plan NAP was introduced in 2014 as a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy in Pakistan. It consisted of 20 specific points aimed at eliminating terrorism and extremism from the country. These measures included establishing military courts regulating madrassas curbing hate speech improving the prosecution of terrorists and taking action against armed militias. The plan was formulated after the devastating Peshawar school attack which galvanized public and political support for strong action. NAP represented a coordinated approach involving the military law enforcement judiciary and civil society to tackle both the root causes and active manifestations of extremism."

"The Hingol and Dasht rivers are two notable water bodies in Pakistan’s largest province Baluchistan. The Hingol River flows through the Hingol National Park one of the country’s most scenic and ecologically rich areas. It eventually drains into the Arabian Sea providing water for agriculture and supporting local wildlife. The Dasht River on the other hand flows mainly in the Gwadar and Kech districts playing an important role in the livelihoods of communities in the arid region. Both rivers are vital for sustaining agriculture fishing and biodiversity in an otherwise dry province and they contribute to the ecological balance and cultural heritage of Baluchistan."