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Current Affairs (National & International)

Part of the SPSC (Sindh) study roadmap. Gk topic gk-005 of Gk.

Current Affairs (National & International)

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.

Current Affairs — Key Facts for SPSC (Sindh)

  • SPSC exams frequently test recent events from Pakistan and the world (past 12–18 months)
  • Focus on summits, agreements, appointments, awards, and major policy changes
  • Keep track of Pakistan’s diplomatic relationships and UN/governmental organization memberships
  • ⚡ Exam tip: CPEC developments, SCO/CAREC meetings, and Pakistan’s relations with neighbors are high-yield for SPSC

🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

Current Affairs — SPSC (Sindh) Study Guide

Pakistan’s Current Affairs (Recent Developments)

Political Landscape (Recent)

Imran Khan and PTI:

  • Imran Khan served as Prime Minister (2018–2022); removed via no-confidence vote in April 2022
  • April 2022 – onwards: PTI supporters protested extensively; Khan called for early elections
  • May 2023: Imran Khan arrested in Al-Qadir Trust case; sentenced in multiple cases ( Toshakhana, cipher case)
  • August 2023: PTI workers clashed with military; party banned from using official symbol (cricket bat)

Shehbaz Sharif (PML-N) Government:

  • Shehbaz Sharif became PM after no-confidence vote (April 2022)
  • Coalition government of PML-N, PPP, and allied parties
  • Economy focus: IMF bailout package discussions; currency stabilization efforts
  • June 2024: General elections scheduled for February 2024 (held under caretaker setup)

Caretaker Government (Post-Election):

  • Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar served as Caretaker Prime Minister (August 2023 – March 2024)
  • General elections held on 8 February 2024
  • February 2024 elections: PTI-backed independent candidates won most NA seats (93+); PML-N and PPP emerged as largest parties post-coalition negotiations

9th February 2024 — Major Floods:

  • Climate change effects: Record monsoon rains caused devastating floods in southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan (2022 floods were more severe historically)
  • 2024 flooding displaced millions; significant economic disruption

Economic Developments

IMF and Pakistan’s Economy:

  • Pakistan has received multiple IMF bailouts (most recent: Extended Fund Facility)
  • Current challenges: high inflation, fiscal deficit, foreign reserves pressure
  • Inflation rate peaked at 38% (2023); gradually declining in 2024
  • Rupee depreciation: USD/PKR exchange rate ~280–300 by late 2024

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC):

  • CPEC Phase II focuses on: industrial cooperation, agriculture, science & technology
  • ML-1 (Main Line-1) railway project: major infrastructure under CPEC
  • Gwadar Port: operational; free economic zone being developed
  • Bahari Haq (Western route): connecting Balochistan and Gwadar to national network

Banking and Energy:

  • Renewable energy projects: solar and wind projects under CPEC Phase II
  • RLNG (Regasified LNG) plants operational for power generation
  • Coal power plants: Sahiwal, Port Qasim — operational

Foreign Policy and Relations

Pakistan-India Relations:

  • Tensions remain over Kashmir dispute
  • 2023: Indian restrictions on Kashmiri political leaders continued
  • 2024: No significant diplomatic breakthrough; tensions over terrorism allegations

Pakistan-China Relations:

  • All-weather strategic partnership — China remains Pakistan’s closest ally
  • Xi Jinping’s 2015 visit: upgraded relationship to “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”
  • China supported Pakistan on Uighur issue in UN; Pakistan supported China on Hong Kong/South China Sea

Pakistan-Afghanistan (Post-Taliban):

  • August 2021: Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
  • Pakistan-Taliban border tensions; ** Durand Line** disputes
  • TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan): cross-border terrorist attacks increased
  • Pakistan closed border crossings multiple times

Pakistan-UN Relations:

  • Pakistan served on UN Security Council (2023–24 term as non-permanent member)
  • Active in UN peacekeeping missions (among top contributing countries)
  • Climate change: Pakistan highlighted flood crisis at COP28 (Dubai 2023)

Key Recent Appointments and Summits

EventDetails
** SCO Summit 2023**Hosted by India (virtual); no PM-level participation
CAREC Summit 2023Kazakhstan hosted; focus on transport corridors
PM’sVisit to China 2023Xi Jinping and Li Qiang meetings; discussed CPEC Phase II
UNGA 78th SessionPakistan’s delegation discussed Kashmir, Palestine
OIC Meetings 2023–24Pakistan hosted/represented at multiple sessions

International Current Affairs

Key Global Developments

Ukraine-Russia Conflict (Ongoing since 2022):

  • Conflict continued; 2023–24 saw ongoing military engagement
  • Global economic fallout: food price inflation, energy crises
  • Pakistan maintained a neutral stance while quietly engaging with both parties

Middle East Developments:

  • Saudi Arabia–Iran rapprochement (brokered by China, March 2023): significant diplomatic shift
  • GCC summits (2023–24): focus on economic integration
  • Palestine issue: ongoing; UN votes on ceasefire resolutions

Global Climate Action:

  • COP28 (Dubai 2023): first global stocktake; “transitioning away from fossil fuels”
  • Pakistan Floods 2022: used as case study for climate vulnerability
  • Loss and Damage Fund: established at COP27; Pakistan among first beneficiaries

Regional Organizations

SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation):

  • Stalled since 2016 (India-Pakistan tensions after Uri attack)
  • Afghanistan admitted 2007; 8 member states
  • Sri Lanka crisis (2022): SAARC mechanism not activated significantly

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO):

  • Pakistan is a founding member (2001)
  • 2023 SCO Summit hosted by India
  • SCO includes: Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO):

  • 10 member states: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan
  • Focus on trade, energy, transport corridors

Major International Agreements and Summits (Recent)

Agreement/EventDateKey Points
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)September 2023 (G20)Counter to BRI; US-brokered
Istanbul Agreement (not applicable)
G20 New Delhi SummitSeptember 2023African Union admitted as member
Climate Finance COP28Nov–Dec 2023Loss and Damage Fund operationalized
ICJ Ukraine case2022–ongoingAdvisory opinion on obligations
New STARTExtended by Russia/USStrategic arms limitation

SPSC Exam Preparation Tips

  • Focus on events of the past 18 months before the exam
  • Maintain a current affairs notebook with dates and key facts
  • Note Pakistan’s positions on UN resolutions and OIC meetings
  • Remember CPEC Phase II details — a perennial SPSC favorite
  • Practice answering descriptive current affairs questions alongside MCQs

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