The Military Staff Committee is mandated under Article 47 of the UN Charter to advise and assist the Security Council on all questions relating to the Council's military requirements for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The Deterrence Doctrine is predicated on the credible threat of retaliation, specifically through nuclear capability, to dissuade an adversary from initiating a conflict, thereby maintaining strategic stability.
The Petroleum Minister stated that the daily price announcements would be calculated based on a seven-day weekly average of international market prices. This ensures that domestic prices reflect recent global trends while smoothing out extreme daily volatility. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016227/govt-to-fix-fuel-prices-daily-due-to-renewed-hostilities-in-persian-gulf-petroleum-minister, 17 Jul 2026]
854
Consider the following statements about the energy policy changes announced on July 17, 2026:
1. The government intends to maintain strategic petroleum reserves to enhance energy security.
2. The new pricing mechanism requires ministerial approval for every daily adjustment.
3. The government is consulting with international experts to assess the feasibility of energy storage initiatives.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 2 is incorrect because the minister explicitly stated that prices would be adjusted without requiring approval from him or other ministers, as part of the deregulation effort. Statements 1 and 3 are correct as they reflect the government's stated intent to study and build strategic reserves with international consultants. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016227/govt-to-fix-fuel-prices-daily-due-to-renewed-hostilities-in-persian-gulf-petroleum-minister, 17 Jul 2026]
855
Consider the following statements about the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026:
1. It grants members immunity from preventive detention only during assembly sessions.
2. It requires authorities to seek the Speaker's permission before arresting a member on a criminal charge.
3. It allows the Speaker to order an inquiry before a police challan is submitted to the court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Act provides blanket immunity from preventive detention, not just during sessions. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as they reflect the procedural requirements for arrests and the Speaker's oversight role as defined in Sections 11(1) and 11(2) of the Act. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013628/kp-govt-enacts-law-granting-lawmakers-lifetime-official-passports-expanding-privileges, 07 Jul 2026]
856
According to the new legislation, security personnel provided to an MPA can be retained in which of the following regions?
Section 12(3) of the Act explicitly provides that security personnel assigned to a member may be retained throughout Pakistan, specifically mentioning the inclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This ensures the continuity of protection for members while traveling outside their home province. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013628/kp-govt-enacts-law-granting-lawmakers-lifetime-official-passports-expanding-privileges, 07 Jul 2026]
857
Under the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, what is the consequence for a government officer who fails to attend a meeting summoned by an MPA without sufficient cause?
Section 8(3) of the Act explicitly states that any government officer who fails to attend a meeting summoned by a member without sufficient cause shall be deemed to have committed a breach of privilege. This provision is designed to ensure the attendance of officials at constituency-level meetings. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013628/kp-govt-enacts-law-granting-lawmakers-lifetime-official-passports-expanding-privileges, 07 Jul 2026]
858
Which of the following is NOT a provision included in the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026?
While the Act mandates that officers attend meetings and classifies failure to do so as a breach of privilege, it does not prescribe life imprisonment for such an act. The other three options are accurate descriptions of the privileges granted under the new legislation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013628/kp-govt-enacts-law-granting-lawmakers-lifetime-official-passports-expanding-privileges, 07 Jul 2026]
859
Which official granted assent to the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, on May 6, 2026?
The KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, received formal assent from the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, on May 6, 2026. The Chief Minister and Speaker are involved in the legislative process, but the final constitutional assent rests with the Governor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013628/kp-govt-enacts-law-granting-lawmakers-lifetime-official-passports-expanding-privileges, 07 Jul 2026]
860
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical geopolitical chokepoint primarily because it facilitates the transit of energy resources between which two maritime zones?
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, which is essential for global energy security.
