Salman Taseer was assassinated by his own security guard, Mumtaz Qadri, in Islamabad in January 2011. Taseer had been a vocal supporter of Asia Bibi and a critic of the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan.
1532
Which amendment granted the right to free and compulsory education for all children aged 5 to 16?
The 18th Amendment inserted Article 25-A into the Constitution, making it the state's responsibility to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 5 and 16 years.
1533
The 'NRO' (National Reconciliation Ordinance) was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in:
In December 2009, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the NRO null and void, which had granted amnesty to thousands of political figures. This decision led to a long-standing legal battle between the judiciary and the Zardari presidency.
1534
Who was the leader of the 'Long March' in 2009 that eventually led to the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry?
Nawaz Sharif led the 'Long March' toward Islamabad in March 2009. Facing a massive political mobilization and pressure from the military, the PPP government agreed to restore Iftikhar Chaudhry and other judges dismissed by Musharraf.
1535
In 2012, which teenage activist was attacked by the Taliban in Swat, sparking global condemnation?
Malala Yousafzai was shot by a TTP gunman in Swat in October 2012 for her advocacy for girls' education. The PPP government provided for her treatment and relocation to the UK, and she later became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
1536
The PPP government initiated the 'Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline' project. What was its alternative name?
Commonly referred to as the 'Peace Pipeline,' the project aimed to transport natural gas from Iran to Pakistan. Despite US pressure and sanctions on Iran, President Zardari inaugurated the Pakistani section of the pipeline in March 2013.
1537
Which Pakistani city hosted the D-8 (Developing Eight) Summit in 2012?
Islamabad hosted the 8th D-8 Summit in November 2012. Leaders from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey attended, focusing on trade and investment among large Muslim-majority developing nations.
1538
What was the 'President's power' that was removed to make the PM the chief executive of the country in the 18th Amendment?
The removal of Article 58(2)b was the most critical change in the 18th Amendment. This article had been used by various Presidents to dismiss elected governments prematurely, and its removal restored the parliamentary supremacy of the Prime Minister.
1539
The 'Waseela-e-Haq' program was a sub-component of BISP designed for:
Waseela-e-Haq provided interest-free loans of up to Rs. 300,000 to randomly selected BISP beneficiaries through a draw, aiming to help them start their own small businesses and become self-sufficient.
1540
Who was the 'National Security Advisor' (NSA) during the early part of the PPP government who resigned over the Memo-gate issue?
Mahmud Ali Durrani served as the NSA. He was famously dismissed by PM Gillani in 2009 for making a statement confirming the Pakistani nationality of Ajmal Kasab (the Mumbai attacker) without consulting the government.
