Raja Pervez Ashraf, as the Minister for Water and Power, was accused of receiving kickbacks in the Rental Power Plants projects. This case led to the nickname 'Raja Rental' being used by his political opponents.
1542
Which religious organization's siege in 2007 led to a surge in militancy that the PPP government had to deal with in 2008?
The 2007 Lal Masjid operation during Musharraf's time triggered the formation of the TTP and a wave of retaliatory attacks. Upon taking office in 2008, the PPP government faced the brunt of this internal security crisis.
1543
Which sector was devolved to the provinces under the 18th Amendment in 2010?
The 18th Amendment abolished the 'Concurrent List,' transferring 47 subjects, including health and education, entirely to the provinces. This shift was intended to bring governance closer to the people but required significant capacity building within the provincial governments.
1544
The Raymond Davis incident (January 2011) involved the killing of two Pakistanis in Lahore by:
Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor, shot and killed two men in Lahore, claiming self-defense. The incident caused a major diplomatic crisis. He was eventually released after the families of the deceased were paid 'Diyat' (blood money) under the Shariat law.
1545
Which Pakistani scientist and former head of the nuclear program was released from house arrest in 2009 by the PPP government?
Dr. A.Q. Khan, who had been under house arrest since 2004 during the Musharraf era, was declared a 'free citizen' by the Islamabad High Court in February 2009, although certain security restrictions remained in place.
1546
The 2010 floods in Pakistan, which occurred during the PPP regime, were described as the worst in the country's history. Approximately how many people were affected?
The 2010 floods were a massive humanitarian disaster, affecting approximately 20 million people (one-tenth of the population). The government faced significant challenges in relief and reconstruction efforts, which were supported by the military and international aid.
1547
Who was the first chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)?
Farzana Raja served as the founding chairperson of BISP. She played a key role in the initial design and implementation of the program's data collection and cash disbursement systems.
1548
In 2013, the PPP government handed over the operational control of Gwadar Port to which country's company?
In February 2013, the operational control of Gwadar Port was transferred from Singapore's PSA to the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC). This move was a foundational step toward the formalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
1549
The 'Charter of Democracy' (CoD), which guided PPP-PMLN relations in the early 2000s, was signed in 2006 by Benazir Bhutto and:
The CoD was signed in London in 2006 by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. It served as a roadmap for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and the removal of military influence from politics, which largely influenced the 2008 political landscape.
1550
Which amendment introduced a mechanism for a neutral 'Caretaker Government' to oversee general elections?
The 20th Amendment, passed in February 2012, was crucial for ensuring fair elections. It formalized the procedure for appointing a caretaker Prime Minister and caretaker Chief Ministers in consultation between the government and the opposition.
