Justice Ayesha A. Malik made history in 2022 by becoming the first woman to be elevated to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Throughout her career in the Lahore High Court, she was known for landmark rulings on gender equality and social justice, including the abolition of the 'virginity test' in rape cases. Her appointment is seen as a major step forward for women's representation in the country's highest judicial and reformatory levels.
13722
When was the first organized battle for the freedom of Jammu and Kashmir fought?
The Economic Survey of Pakistan is released every June by the Ministry of Finance. It contains a dedicated chapter on 'Social Protection' and 'Poverty', providing the latest statistics and a review of the performance of programs like BISP and PPAF during the fiscal year.
13724
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which program provided emergency cash to over 15 million families in Pakistan?
The Ehsaas Emergency Cash program was a historic intervention in 2020 to mitigate the economic shock of the COVID-19 lockdown. It utilized the NSER database and biometric verification to distribute billions of rupees to daily wagers and low-income families whose livelihoods were disrupted by the pandemic.
13725
Which mechanism is used by BISP and Ehsaas to identify and target eligible poor households objectively?
The Proxy Means Test (PMT) is a scientific method used to assign a welfare score to households based on observable characteristics like asset ownership, family size, and housing conditions. This score, ranging from 0 to 100, allows the government to set a 'poverty cutoff' to ensure that aid reaches those truly in need without political interference.
13726
Which Pakistani Prime Minister famously said 'We will eat grass but we will build the bomb,' reflecting a period of high US sanctions?
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's statement in the 1970s highlighted the national resolve to develop nuclear weapons despite the threat of losing US and Western aid and facing economic sanctions, which later happened after the 1998 nuclear tests.
13727
Which fund was established by the IMF to provide emergency assistance to countries like Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic?
In April 2020, the IMF provided $1.386 billion to Pakistan under the RFI to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 shock. RFI provides rapid financial assistance with limited conditionality for urgent balance of payments needs.
13728
The 'Debt-to-GDP' ratio of Pakistan in the early 2020s has been a major concern because it exceeded:
Pakistan's public debt has risen significantly over the last decade. A debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 70% is considered risky for a developing economy as a huge portion of the national budget is spent on 'debt servicing' (paying back interest), leaving little for health, education, and development.
13729
The 'Roshan Digital Account' (RDA) was launched in 2020 to attract:
RDA was launched to provide overseas Pakistanis with a digital platform to open bank accounts in Pakistan and invest in local stocks, real estate, and government bonds (Naya Pakistan Certificates). It has been a significant source of foreign exchange inflows since its inception.
13730
During the Musharraf era (1999-2008), which sector experienced a massive 'boom' due to deregulation?
The telecommunications sector saw unprecedented growth during the early 2000s following the deregulation of the industry. The entry of international players like Telenor and Warid, along with the privatization of PTCL, led to a surge in mobile phone penetration and foreign direct investment, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the economy.
