After Pakistan conducted its nuclear tests in Chagai in May 1998 in response to India's tests, the United States and other G7 nations imposed strict economic sanctions. These sanctions led to a freeze on foreign aid, a suspension of military sales, and a significant drop in foreign investment, forcing the government to freeze foreign currency accounts to prevent a total collapse of the banking system.
13732
In 2019, the PTI government passed the 'Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act' following which tragic incident?
The Zainab Alert Act was passed in 2020, named after 7-year-old Zainab Ansari whose brutal murder in Kasur in 2018 shook the nation. The law established a streamlined mechanism for the immediate reporting and tracking of missing children through an integrated alert system to prevent child abuse and ensure swift police action.
13733
Who was the 'Special Assistant to the Prime Minister' on Climate Change during the launch of the Protected Areas Initiative?
Malik Amin Aslam was the architect of the government's 'Green Growth' strategy. Under his guidance, Pakistan launched the 'Protected Areas Initiative' in 2020, which involved increasing the number of national parks from 30 to 45 and creating a 'Green Wildlife Service' to preserve the country's biodiversity and promote eco-tourism.
13734
What was the name of the project launched to protect the marine ecosystem and develop 'Bundal Island' near Karachi?
The federal government established the Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) via an ordinance in 2020 to develop Bundal and Buddo islands into high-tech urban centers. However, the project faced severe opposition from the Sindh provincial government and environmentalists over provincial autonomy and the protection of mangrove forests, eventually stalling the initiative.
13735
Which status was given to the South Punjab region in 2020 to address administrative grievances?
While the PTI had promised a separate province, as an interim administrative step, it established the South Punjab Secretariat in 2020 with offices in Multan and Bahawalpur. This allowed the region to have its own Additional Chief Secretary and Additional IG Police, ensuring that local administrative and development issues could be resolved without residents having to travel to Lahore.
13736
The construction of which major dam was accelerated by the government through a fundraising campaign and a joint venture with China?
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam project saw significant progress during the PTI tenure. In May 2020, the government signed a 442-billion-rupee contract with a joint venture of Power China and FWO for its construction. The dam is vital for Pakistan’s water storage capacity and the generation of 4,500 MW of cheap hydroelectricity, significantly impacting the country's energy security.
13737
The PTI government's 'Digital Pakistan' vision was initially spearheaded by which former Google executive?
Tania Aidrus, a former senior executive at Google, resigned from her position to lead the 'Digital Pakistan' initiative in December 2019. The project aimed to digitize government processes, improve internet connectivity, and foster a digital economy. Although she resigned in 2020 over citizenship controversies, the vision for digital transformation remained a core policy goal.
13738
Which body was established by the Imran Khan government to coordinate the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) was established in March 2020 to serve as the nerve center for Pakistan's unified response against COVID-19. It was responsible for data collection, policy formulation (such as Smart Lockdowns), and the coordination of the national vaccination drive, and its efficient management was internationally recognized by the World Health Organization.
13739
Which Pakistani state-owned airline's 'Privatization' was attempted but blocked due to worker protests in 2016?
The government attempted to corporatize and privatize a part of PIA to stem its mounting losses. However, a massive strike by the PIA employees' union paralyzed the airline for weeks, forcing the government to put the plan on hold.
13740
Which controversy in 2017 related to the 'Khatm-e-Nabuwwat' clause in the Elections Act led to a massive protest at Faizabad?
A clerical error or intentional change in the oath of lawmakers regarding the finality of Prophethood led to a fierce backlash from religious groups. The TLP launched a weeks-long sit-in at the Faizabad interchange, which resulted in the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
