The 19 km East Bay Expressway is a major CPEC project that connects Gwadar Port with the Makran Coastal Highway. Its completion was prioritized by the Shahbaz Sharif government to facilitate the smooth movement of heavy cargo and boost the port's commercial activity.
572
Who was the 'Caretaker Prime Minister' of Pakistan between the first and second terms of Shahbaz Sharif (Aug 2023 - Feb 2024)?
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, a senator from Balochistan, served as the caretaker Prime Minister to oversee the 2024 general elections. His tenure was notable for maintaining economic continuity and supporting the initial operations of the SIFC.
573
Which constitutional body's power to 'suo motu' notice was restructured by the Practice and Procedure Act, 2023, upheld in 2024?
The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act was passed to ensure that the exercise of original jurisdiction (suo motu) and the formation of benches are handled by a committee of three senior judges rather than the Chief Justice alone, aiming for more collective decision-making.
574
The '2022 Floods' in Pakistan resulted in an estimated economic loss of approximately how much, leading to the 'Resilient Pakistan' conference in Geneva?
The catastrophic floods of 2022 affected over 33 million people and caused damages exceeding $30 billion. In response, the Shahbaz Sharif government successfully organized the 'International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan' in January 2023, where donors pledged over $9 billion to help the country recover and rebuild infrastructure.
575
The 'Green Pakistan Initiative', launched under the SIFC framework, primarily focuses on which sector?
The Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) was launched in July 2023 and expanded through 2024-2025 to revolutionize the agricultural sector. It involves bringing millions of acres of barren land under cultivation through corporate farming, modern technology, and foreign investment to ensure food security and boost agricultural exports.
576
Which body was established in 2023 under the Shahbaz Sharif government to act as a 'Single Window' for facilitating large-scale foreign investment?
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was established in June 2023 to fast-track foreign investment, particularly from Gulf countries, in key sectors like Agriculture, Mining, Information Technology, and Energy. It involves both civil and military leadership to ensure policy continuity and ease of doing business, serving as a primary pillar of the government's economic recovery plan through 2025.
577
What does SIFC stand for, established by Pakistan in 2023?
SIFC stands for the Special Investment Facilitation Council. It was established in June 2023 to act as a single-window interface for potential investors, particularly from Gulf countries. The SIFC focuses on fast-tracking investments in five key sectors: Agriculture, Information Technology, Mining, Energy, and Defense Production.
578
The 'Digital Census' of 2023 was promoted by the media as a move toward modernizing:
The 7th Population and Housing Census was Pakistan's first digital census. Media played a role in educating the public on how to self-enumerate, which was critical for updating the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and delimitation of constituencies.
579
Which Pakistani woman was the first to be appointed as the 'Chief Justice' of a High Court?
Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar became the first woman in Pakistan to head a high court when she was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court in 2018. Subsequently, Justice Musarrat Hilali became the first female Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court in 2023, both marking historic breakthroughs for women in the superior judiciary.
580
Who was the first woman to be appointed as the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2023?
In September 2023, Jinnat Mansoor Seher, a district and sessions judge, was appointed as the first female Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This appointment by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa was seen as a move toward breaking gender barriers in the administrative hierarchy of the superior judiciary.
