Current Affairs: CSS Past Papers Analysis

I. Pakistan Domestic Affairs

1. Give a critical review of Pakistan Energy Policy 2013-2018.
(2019)

2. How can the corruption elimination strategy be made part of

governance system of Pakistan? (2019) (2014)

3. Highlight the role of National Action Plan (NAP) in stabilization

of internal security of Pakistan. Critically analyze its outcomes.
(2017)

4. Discuss in detail the efficacy of counter terrorism measures

adopted by especially with reference to the National Action Plan
(NAP). (2016)

5. What measures would you suggest improving the economy of

Pakistan particularly in the areas of debt reduction

and enhancing export capacity? (2016)

6. Since 1970 every election was accused of rigging, what electoral

reforms you will suggest improving electoral system of Pakistan?
(2015)

7. What is the role of education in character-building of a nation?

Highlight major pitfalls in Pakistan’s education systems. (2015)

8. Do you believe that main cause of 2014 flood was Indian ‘water
terrorism’ or it was due to awful mismanagement of water
resources in Pakistan? (2015)

9. Critically evaluate the counter-terrorism policy of Pakistan and

suggest measures to eradicate this evil. (2015)

10. Critically appreciate the decision making in Pakistan

regarding energy crisis in Pakistan. (2014)
11. What is character-building? Assess the factor (character
building) in education systems of Pakistan and give suggestions
for improvement. (2014)

12. How can the governing structures have the capacity to

neutralize threats to internal security of Pakistan? (2019)

13. Why was Pakistan placed on the ‘Grey List’ of Financial

Action Task Force (FATF)? What are the implications and what
measures should Pakistan take to move out of this list? (2020)

14. Discuss the successes and failures of political parties in

bringing about a meaningful change in Pakistan. (2013)

15. Discuss the causes of extremism and militancy in Pakistani

society. Suggest ways and means for the state organs to
overcome these problems. (2013)

16. Critically evaluate the causes of Energy crisis in Pakistan

and its consequences for the economic growth and social fabric in
the country. (2013)

17. Discuss the impact of foreign aid on Pakistan in post 9/11

scenario. (2012)

18. How can the energy crisis of Pakistan be resolved? (2012)

19. Discuss issues in the higher educational system vis-a-vis

18th amendment in Pakistan. (2012)

20. How the corruption be managed in Pakistan? (2012)

21. How Pakistan can reduce foreign debt? Suggest mechanism

in Pakistan economy to handle external perspective of Pakistan
economy. (2011)

22. What can be the strategies to reduce dependency of

education sector on governmental funding? (2011)
 23. Give suggestions to manage political instability in Pakistan.
(2011)

II. Pakistan External Affairs 

Pakistan’s relations with its Neighbors (India, China, Afghanistan,
Russia)
1. Critically Examine/Examine China Strategic vision behind ‘The
Bell and Road Initiative (BRI)’ also known as One Belt One
Road (OBOR). (2019) (2017)

2. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered as a

game-changer. How the CPEC can be helpful to uplift the
Pakistan’s economy? Discuss. (2018)

3. Explain the salient contours of the US ‘rebalancing policy’ and

China’s assertive policy in South-China Sea and latter’s disputes
with the regional countries. Critically evaluate. (2017)

4. What measures do you suggest improving the security conditions

of Baluchistan in respect to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), and the role of regional powers to sabotage it? (2017)

5. Discuss the prospects and challenges to the construction of

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”. How will CPEC become a
game changer for the region? (2016)

6. Examine China Strategic Vision behind “The Belt and Road

Initiative (BRI)”, also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR).
(2019)

7. Discuss the importance of Pak-China relations. How does this

relationship effect political and security environment in South
Asia? (2013)

8. Discuss impact of economic development of China on World

Order. (2012)
 9. Discuss the possibilities of progress under the recently agreed
rubric of comprehensive dialogue between Pakistan and India. In
your opinion what are major constraints at present? (2016)

10. Evaluate the significance of water conflict between India

and Pakistan in perspective of water management projects in
Indian held Kashmir. (2014)

11. Resolution of Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan

can bring peace and prosperity in the region. Discuss. (2013)

12. Evaluate the significance of water conflict between India

and Pakistan in global perspective of climate change. (2012)

13. If India is granted Permanent seat in Security Council; what

can be the options available to Pakistan to manage the Indian
Hegemony in South Asia? (2011)

14. What will be the reason of emerging water conflict between

Pakistan and Afghanistan? (2019)

15. Do you agree that Pakistan’s role in Afghan Jihad against

Soviet Union was the root cause of terrorism in Pakistan or it is a
reaction of US invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and Pakistan’s
U- turn in Afghan policy? (2015)

16. What could be the reasons of emerging water conflict

between Pakistan and Afghanistan? (2019)

17. Discuss the current socio-political and security situation of

Afghanistan and its implications for the neighboring countries.
(2013)

18. What is AFPAK policy; how to manage its implication on

Pakistan? (2011)

Pakistan’s relations with the Muslim World (Iran, Saudi Arabia,

Indonesia, Turkey)
 1. Discuss in detail the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and challenges to
it. (2018)

Pakistan’s relations with the United States 

1. Discuss the impact of AFPAK policy on Pak-US relations. (2014)

2. Discuss the strengths of USA to implement its economic policies

Worldwide. (2014)

Pakistan’s relations with Regional and International Organizations (UN,

SAARC, ECO, OIC, WTO, GCC)
1. What are the opportunities and challenges for Pakistan as one of
the new members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO)? (2018)

2. Substantiate Pakistan’s role in UN peace keeping missions.

(2014)

3. Discuss the role of OIC, GCC, and Arab league in the Middle
East Crisis and conflicts. (2020)

4. Give recommendations to make SAARC an effective

organization at regional level keeping in view success of
European Union. (2011)

III. Global Issues 

International Security
1. Discuss instrument of techniques of Hybrid Warfare in context of
Pakistan? (2019)

2. How can the governing structure have the capacity to neutralize

threats to internal security of Pakistan? (2019)

International Political Economy

Human Rights
Environment: Global Warming, Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen Accord
1. Elaborate the reasons and impacts on Donald Trump withdrawal
from climate change Paris agreement 2015. (2019)
 2. Discuss the adverse impact of climate change on the world and
the measures recently adopted by the Paris Conference to address
this issue. (2016)

3. Elaborate the reasons and impacts of Donald Trump’s withdrawal

from Climate Change Paris Agreement 2015? (2019)

4. What impact global climate change will have on the water

resources of Pakistan? How will it affect inter- provincial
harmony? (2020)

5. Evaluate the significance of water conflict between India and

Pakistan in global perspective of climate change. (2012)

6. What is climate change impact? What are its implications on

Pakistan? How to manage climate change in policy and practice?
(2011)

Population: world population trends, world population policies

Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
Global Energy Politics
Nuclear Proliferation and Nuclear Security
Nuclear Politics in South Asia
1. Analyze the effects of commissioning of nuclear-powered
ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arihant equipped with
nuclear-capable missile called K-4 over the strategic stability of
South Asia. (2017)

2. US-India in August 2016 signed Logistics Exchange

Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that will reportedly
facilitate the two allies to use each other’s military facilities to
check China’s growing influence. Comment. (2017)

International Trade (Doha Development Round and Bali Package)

Cooperation and Competition in Arabian Sea, Indian and Pacific
Oceans.
1. Critically examine the Donald Trump’s Policy for South Asia and
its implications for Pakistan and the region. (2018)
 2. How the US is trying to keep its dominant position in the Asia-
Pacific and what is the China’s response to it? (2018)

3. The impact of burgeoning US-India strategic partnership over the

security situation of the region and Indian Ocean Region. (2017)

4. Discuss the strategic contours of Indo-US evolving partnership

and how will it impact Pakistan-US and Pakistan-China
relations? (2020) Strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region
is increasingly becoming intense. Define the interests and the role
of US, China, India, Japan, and Australia in the geopolitics of
Indo-Pacific region. (2020)

Millennium Development Goals, Current Status

Globalization
1. In view of the evolving global alignments and changing nature of
major-power relationships, what is the future of globalism and
multilateralism? Discuss with examples. (2020)

Middle East Crisis

1. What are the causes of ‘Arab Spring’? Identify their impacts on
the future politics of the region? (2015)

2. Describe the 2017 Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and its impact on the
Middle East? (2018)

3. Critically analyze the newly established Islamic Military Alliance

and its future implications for the Muslim World? (2018)

4. Critically analyze the US-Russia relations in context of ISIS and

its impact on the security situation of Middle East? (2017)

5. How do you see recent developments in the Middle East,

particularly with reference to deteriorating relations between
Saudi Arabia and Iran? What role, if any, Pakistan could play in
reducing the tensions between the two Muslim countries? (2016)
 6. How will “Arab spring” effect the political and security
environment in the Arab World? (2013)

Kashmir and Palestine Issues

1. Given the volatile lockdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir, what
are the viable policy choices available to Pakistan? What can
Pakistan realistically do to ease the sufferings of Kashmiri
people? (2020)

2. Resolution of Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan can

bring peace and prosperity in the region. Discuss. (2013)

Others:
1. Examine the emerging strategic competition between China and
the US and its impact on the global order. (2016)

2. Substantiate Pakistan’s role in Commonwealth. (2012)

Recommended Books for CSS Current Affairs

Paper
 Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2005: A Concise History (Abdul
Sattar)

 Issue in Pakistan’s Economy, 2010 (Akbar S. Zaidi)

 Pakistan: A Hard Country, 2012 (Anatol Lieven)

 Government & Politics in South Asia (Baxter, Malik, Kennedy &

Oberst)

 Introduction to International Political (David Balaam & Bradford

Dillman)

 International Organization (Volker Rittberger, Bernhard Zangl

and Andress Kruck)
 The Age of Deception: Nuclear Diplomacy in Treacherous Times
(Mohamed Elbaradei)

 International Relations, 2012 (Joshua Goldstein)

 World Politics: Trends and Transformation, 2014-2015 (Kegley

& Blanton)

 Pakistan Beyond the Crisis, 2011 (Maleeha Lodhi)

 Globalization in Question, 2009 (Paul Hirst)

 International Political Economy: Interests & Institutions in the

Global Economy, 201 (Thomas Oatley)

 Politics and Change in the Middle East (Andersen, Seibert, and

Wagner)

 Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb (Feroz Khan)

 Pakistan and World Affairs (Shamshad Ahmad)

 Current Affairs, Articulate Magazine for CSS 2022