Federal Public Service Commission
Repeating Questions (Current Affairs)
Competitive Examination-2016-2025
Over the past decade, CSS Current Affairs papers (2016–2025) reveal clear recurring themes that reflect Pakistan’s domestic and international priorities. Key areas include China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and OBOR/BRI initiatives, internal security and counter-terrorism measures, US-China strategic competition and Indo-Pacific geopolitics, Middle East conflicts and Pakistan’s diplomatic role, climate change and environmental challenges, economic stability, governance, and export policies, and regional security issues with India and Afghanistan. These repeated questions underscore the exam’s emphasis on analytical understanding of Pakistan’s strategic, economic, and environmental context and its interaction with global developments.
SUBJECTIVE
1. CPEC / Pakistan-China Relations / OBOR / BRI
Theme: Economic cooperation, infrastructure projects, regional connectivity, and strategic importance.
2016 – Q5: Discuss the prospects and challenges to the construction of
“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”. How will CPEC become a game
changer for the region?
2017 – Q3: What measures do you suggest to improve the security conditions
of Balochistan in respect to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and
the role of regional powers to sabotage it?
2017 – Q7: Critically examine China’s strategic vision behind its ‘One Belt,
One Road’ venture.
2018 – Q2: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered as a
game-changer. How the CPEC can be helpful to uplift the Pakistan’s
economy? Discuss.
2019 – Q2: Examine China strategic vision behind ‘The Bell and Road
initiative (BRI)' also known as One Belt One Road (OBOR).
2023 – Q5: Discuss the project idea China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) which is the great leap forward of economic regionalization in the
globalized world. Explain its potential advantages, challenges, and future
prospects
2. National Action Plan (NAP) / Internal Security / Counter-Terrorism
Theme: Internal security measures, counterterrorism strategies, and stabilization of Pakistan.
2016 – Q2: Discuss in detail the efficacy of counter terrorism measures
adopted by the government, especially with reference to the National Action
Plan.
2017 – Q2: Highlight the role of National Action Plan (NAP) in stabilization of
internal security of Pakistan. Critically analyze its outcomes?
2019 – Q7: How can the governing structure have the capacity to neutralize
threats to internal security of Pakistan?
3. US-China Strategic Competition / Global Power Rivalry / Indo-Pacific.
Theme: Global strategic competition, China-US rivalry, regional dominance, and geopolitical shifts.
2016 – Q7: Examine the emerging strategic competition between China and
the US and its impact on global order.
2017 – Q5: 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.
2018 – Q4: How the United States is trying to keep its dominant position in
the Asia-Pacific and what is the China’s response to it?
2020 – Q6: Strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly
becoming intense. Define the interests and role of US, China, India, Japan
and Australia in the geopolitics of Indo-Pacific region.
2022 – Q7: The US and China have been in an on-going trade war since 2018.
In academic circles, it has been argued that this conflict may as well be the
Second Cold War. Critically evaluate the future world order with main actors
as China, Russia and the US.
4. Middle East / Saudi-Iran / OIC / GCC / Regional Conflicts.
Theme: Middle East tensions, sectarian divides, Muslim unity, and Pakistan’s role
2016 – Q6: 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?
2017 – Q4: Critically analyze the US-Russia relations in context of ISIS and its
impact on the security situation of Middle East.
2018 – Q5: Critically analyze the newly established Islamic Military Alliance
and its future implications for the Muslim World?
2018 – Q6: Describe the 2017 Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and its impact on the
Middle East.
2020 – Q7: Discuss in detail the role of OIC, Arab league and GCC in the
Middle East crises and conflicts.
2024 – Q5: Saudi Arabia and Iran both have significant place in Pakistan’s
foreign policy. How Pakistan can maintain friendly relations with both Saudi
Arabia and Iran, especially after the mediation of China between the two
countries?
2024 – Q6: Palestine conflict is a long-standing one on the United Nations
table. Discuss its recent escalation since October 2023 and critically assess
the big powers’ reaction to it.
2022 – Q4: Muslim Ummah has failed to unite under one roof. The leadership,
their internal wrangling and sectarian divide keeps them away from each
other. Discuss ways and means to unite the Muslim Ummah with a pragmatic
approach.
5. Climate Change / Environment / Water & Energy.
Theme: Environmental issues, climate agreements, energy crises, and sustainable development.
2016 – Q8: Discuss the adverse impact of climate change on the world and
the measures recently adopted by the Paris Conference to address this
issue.
2019 – Q3: Elaborate the reasons and impacts on Donald Trump withdrawal
from climate change Paris agreement in 2015.
2020 – Q2: What impact global climate change will have on the water
resources of Pakistan? How will it affect inter-provincial harmony?
2023 – Q3: The UN climate summit (COP-27) in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt)
discussed Pakistan’s catastrophic summer floods exacerbated by climate
change. Discuss the COP 27 roadmap and proposed measures for
reconstruction and rehabilitation of Pakistan.
2023 – Q6: Discuss the severe consequences of rapid population growth
which will affect every country on earth.
2024 – Q8c: Climate Change and the Big Powers’ role.
2025 – Q8: Discuss the reasons of environmental degradation in Pakistan
and suggest remedial measures for sustainable environmental rehabilitation.
6. Economy / Exports / Debt / Governance.
Theme: Economic stability, export performance, fiscal management, and governance reforms.
2016 – Q3: What measures would you suggest to improve the economy of
Pakistan particularly in the areas of debt reduction and enhancing export
capacity?
2018 – Q2: CPEC is considered a game-changer. How can it uplift Pakistan’s
economy?
2019 – Q5: Give a critical review of Pakistan Energy Policy 2013–2018.
2019 – Q6: How can the corruption elimination strategy be made part of
governance system of Pakistan?
2023 – Q8: Critically discuss why Pakistan’s economic growth continues to
be a “Balance-of Payments” constraint and explain radical structural reforms
to improve export performance?
2025 – Q3: Discuss in detail the reasons for fragility of economic stability of
Pakistan and suggest pragmatic remedial measures for ensuring smooth and
sustainable economic growth.
7. Pakistan-India / Regional Security / Kashmir / Afghanistan.
Theme: Security issues, border tensions, strategic relations, peace, and conflict resolution.
2016 – Q4: Discuss the possibilities of progress under the recently agreed
rubric of comprehensive dialogue between Pakistan and India. In your
opinion what are the major constraints at present?
2020 – Q4: 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?
2021 – Q3: What are the similarities and differences between Nagorno
Kaharabakh and Kashmir conflicts?
2021 – Q6: Some scholars term Afghan Peace Deal as the US Withdrawal
Deal. Do you agree? Discuss the contours of the Afghan peace process.
2025 – Q4: Discuss the contours of Pakistan's strategic relations with India
and Afghanistan in detail. Do you foresee any serious security challenges
from these neighbours in near future?
2025 – Q7: Discuss the prospects of peace in South Asia with reference to
Kashmir Conflict and Nuclear Arms-race between India and Pakistan.