Pakistan Affairs Syllabus

The syllabus for Pakistan Affairs can be divided into two broad
parts:
1. Pre-partition era
2. Post partition era

Pre-Partition Era Portion

1. Ideology of Pakistan: Historical perspective of the Ideology of

Pakistan, definition and explanation of the Ideology of Pakistan.
Ideology of Pakistan in light of the thinking of Muslim scholars. role of
ideology in Pakistan Movement, validity of Ideology of Pakistan in
post-partition era.
2. Muslim Rule in the Sub-continent: Historical perspective of the
Muslim rule in the Sub-continent, impact of Muslim rule in the
Sub-continent, reasons for downfall of the Muslims. Mutiny of 1857:
reasons and impacts (especially on the Muslims of Subcontinent).
3. Muslim Reform Movements: Efforts and role of Shaikh Ahmad
Sarhindi, Shah Waliullah. Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed, Sir Sayyed
Ahmed Khan in reforming the Muslims of Sub­continent.
4. Educational Reforms: Role of Aligarh, Oeoband, Nadwah and other
educational institutions, impacts of these institution on the social,
cultural, economic and political aspects of the Muslims of
Sub-continent.
5. Pakistan Movement: Important legislations passed by British
Government in India (Act of 1909, Government of India Act 1919,
Government of India Act 1935) and their impact on the political
situation in the subcontinent, Nehru Report and Fourteen Points of
Quaid-e-Azam, Congress rule (1937-39), Pakistan Resolution (23rd
March, 1940), Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission Plan, Partition plan
and legacy of partition and its impact on Pakistan-lndia relationship
after independence .
Post-Partition Era Portion:

1. Geography and Society of Pakistan: Geo-strategic importance of

Pakistan, natural resources of Pakistan (gas, oil, hydel, renewable
resources), important agricultural products of Pakistan (total output of
major crops, per hectare yield of major crops), issues faced by the
agriculture sector in Pakistan, steps taken by various governments to
improve the agricultural sector.
2. Major Industries of Pakistan: Issues faced by the industrial sector
in Pakistan, steps taken by various regimes to improve the industrial
sector, future of the industrial sector and challenges ahead.
3. Education Sector in Pakistan: Status of education sector in
Pakistan, enrolment and institutions of various types (primary, middle,
secondary and higher secondary level), gender disparity in education,
steps taken for improvement of education sector, higher education in
Pakistan, challenges and progress in higher education.
4. Nuclear Program of Pakistan, its Safety and Security,
International concerns: Pakistan as signatory of various
conventions regarding nuclear security, role of SPD (Strategic
Planning Division), nuclear doctrine of Pakistan, nuclear deterrence
vis-a-vis India.
5. Pakistan and Changing Regional Apparatus: Pakistan and
changing regional apparatus with special focus on Afghanistan and
Iran.
6. Regional Cooperation Organizations: SAARC, ECO, SCO and
Role of Pakistan.
7. Civil Military Relations in Pakistan: Historical perspective of civil
military relations, comparative analysis of social and economic
development in civil-military regimes, reasons for martial
laws/dictatorial regime in Pakistan.
8. Economic Challenges in Pakistan: Analysis of various economic
indicators of Pakistan’s economy, GDP, growth rate bf GDP, Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI), unemployment in Pakistan, share of various
sectors (social, agricultural, industrial) in the GDP, population living
 below poverty line, budget deficit, total imports of Pakistan, total
exports of Pakistan, trade deficit, total debt of Pakistan (domestic &
external), debt repayment issue, role of IMF and World Bank.
Historical perspective of the economy of Pakistan in different decades
with special focus on economic growth in the last decade.
9. Main Challenges to Economy of Pakistan: Debt issue,
unemployment, trade deficit, budget deficit, low foreign direct
investment, foreign reserves, population explosion, low GDP growth
rate, remittances issue, corruption, ease of doing business index, etc.
10. The Palestine & Kashmir Issue: Historical background of the
Palestine issue, Balfour declaration, Palestine partition plan,
Arab-Israel wars, current situation and issues of settlements, role of
UN and other international organizations. Kashmir issue; historical
background, challenges and way forward.
11. Changing Security Dynamics for Pakistan; Challenges to
National Security of Pakistan: External Threats: India, Afghanistan
(instability), Iran (competitive ports). Internal Threats: Political
instability, economic instability. non-state actors, terrorism, religious
extremism, nationalist elements etc.
12. Political Evolution Since 1971: The causes of 1971 imbroglio,
political situation after 1971, constitution of 1973 and constitutional
crisis thereof.
13.Pakistan and US War on Terror and Post 9/11 Foreign Policy of
Pakistan: Historical perspective of Afghan issue, reasons for
Pakistan’s involvement in war on terror. impact of war on terror on
social, economic and political aspects of Pakistan, AF-Pak policy
under Obama and policy under Trump regime, Challenges to
Pakistan and way forward.
14. Evolution of Democratic System in Pakistan: The
Constitutional developments in Pakistan, Objectives Resolution.
Constitutions of 1956, 1962, 1973, Important constitutional
amendments and their impacts on the democratic process, history of
martial laws and their impacts, democratic evolution in different
 regimes, causes of weak democratic institutions, challenges to the
democratic process in Pakistan.
15. Pakistan’s National Interest and Challenges to the
Sovereignty: Definition of national interest, Main determinants of the
national interest, Role of diplomacy in securing the national interest.
Internal challenges to sovereignty; economic, social, nationalist
movement, energy issues, etc. External challenges to the national
sovereignty: hostile neighbours, global power politics, water issues
with India, wave of terrorism, regional instability. Hydro politics: water
issues in domestic and regional context, water apportionment formula
among provinces under IRSA (Indus River System Authority), Issues
and challenges under IRSA , Water crisis in Pakistan, challenges and
way forward, Kalabagh Dam issue, Indus water treaty, Pakistan’s
water issue with India (Wuller Barrage, Baglihar Dam. Kishan Ganga
Dam, etc.)
16. Ethnic Issues and National Integration: The current ethnic
profile of Pakistan, Causes of dismemberment of East Pakistan, Pros
and cons of making new provinces to tackle ethnic issue, feasibility,
challenges and way forward, Restructuring of NFC (National Finance
Commission) and CCI (Council of Common Interest) to resolve the
provincial disharmony, Nationalist elements in Pakistan, Baluchistan
issue: reasons, challenges and way forward.
17. Proxy Wars – Role of External Elements: Role of India,
Afghanistan and Iran regarding instability of Pakistan, Nationalist
elements in Pakistan and external support to the nationalist elements,
Tackling the issue of covert external threats.

Pakistan Affairs: CSS Past Papers Analysis

Topic 1: Ideology of Pakistan: definition and elucidation, historical

aspects. Muslim rule in the sub-continent: its downfall and efforts for
Renaissance. Movements for reforms: Shaikh Ahmad Sarhindi, Shah
Waliullah, Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed, Aligarh, Deoband, Nadwah, and other
educational institutions – Sindh Madrassah and Islamia College
Peshawar. Ideology of Pakistan in the light of Speeches and statements
of Allama Iqbal and Quaid- i-Azam.
1. “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was in no way pro-British”. Agree or disagree,
answer your question with arguments. (CSS 2015)
2. “It was over-reaction of Hindus to the partition of the Bengal in 1905
that widened the gulf between Muslims and Hindus”. Comment. (CSS
2015)
3. “Khilafat Movement was an emotional movement”. Discuss. (CSS
2015)
4. “Separation of East Pakistan, though a tragic part of History of
Pakistan, was not thenegation of two nation theory”. Comment. (CSS
2015)
5. Give an account of the life and services of Shah Waliullah. How did
he save the Indian Muslims from political annihilation and religious
degeneration? (CSS 2016)
6. The Aligarh Movement was a pure educational venture but it had
deep impacts on Indian Discuss. (CSS 2016)
7. Critically analyze the elections of 1937 and the sufferings and
grievances of the Muslims under the Congress rule in the provinces
(1937-1939). How much did it help in popularizing the idea of a
separate Muslim state in India? (CSS 2016)
8. Jinnah in his Presidential Address to the annual session of All India
Muslim League in March 1940 said, “The problem in India is not of an
inter-communal character, but manifestly of an international one, and
it must be treated as such.” Write note on the Two Nation Theory and
the Lahore Resolution of March 1940 in the light of this statement.
(CSS 2016)
9. Critically evaluate the foundations of Allama Iqbal’s concept of
Muslim separatism in the context of Indo-Pak Subcontinent. (CSS
2018)
10. Discuss the 3rd June Plan or Mountbatten Plan and also describe
how it was implemented? (CSS 2018)
 11. Critically examine Congress Ministries of 1937. How far it is
correct to suggest that it paved the way for a separate Muslim
homeland in India? (CSS 2019)
12. How the reform movement of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi influenced
the history of Muslim India? (CSS 2020)
Topic 2: Land and people of Pakistan: Geography, Society, Natural
resources, Agriculture, Industry and education with reference to
characteristics, trends and problems.
1. Briefly discuss the main features of cultural heritage of Pakistan.(CSS
2015)
2. Pakistan’s national culture reflects unity in diversity. Elaborate.(CSS
2017)
3. Enumerate the measures adopted by HEC for promotion of higher
education and qualitative research in Pakistan.(CSS 2017)
4. Efficient use of its natural resources can make Pakistan a prosperous
nation. Discuss in the light of present situation of Pakistan. (CSS
2019)
Topic 3: Pakistan and Changing Regional Apparatus
Topic 4: Nuclear Program of Pakistan, its Safety and Security; International
Concerns
Topic 5: Regional Cooperation Organizations (SAARC, ECO, SCO) and
the Role of Pakistan
1. Explore the significance of Shinghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
for Pakistan. (CSS 2017)
2. China, Pakistan-Russia cooperation will find suitable support
mechanism in Shanghai Cooperation organization (SCO). Elaborate.
(CSS 2020)
Topic 6: Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
Topic 7: Economic Challenges in Pakistan
 1. What major economic challenges are being faced by Pakistan? What
recommendations do you suggest to deal with these issues? (CSS
2019)
Topic 8: Non-Traditional Security Threats in Pakistan: Role of Non-State
Actors
1. Write note on the Afghan War since 1979 and its impacts on
Pakistan. How far the emergence of the “Non-State Actors” and
Non-Traditional Security Threats in Pakistan can be attributed to the
decades-long warfare in Afghanistan? (CSS 2016)
2. Define non-state actors. ‘Non-state actors are posing more threat to
Pakistan’s national security than threats from external state actors.’
Argue in favour or against. (CSS 2018)
Topic 9: Pakistan’s Role in the Region
Topic 10: The Palestine Issue
Topic 11: Changing Security Dynamics for Pakistan: Challenges to
National Security of Pakistan
Topic 12: Political Evolution Since 1971
1. How general elections in 2002, 2008 and 2013 strengthened
democracy in Pakistan? (CSS 2017)
2. Describe the political system of Pakistan. Which form of government
is suitable to make country politically stable? (CSS 2018)
3. Discuss the main features of Political culture of Pakistan. (CSS
2020)
Topic 13: Pakistan and US War on Terror
1. Critically evaluate the role of Pakistan in “The War on Terror”. (CSS
2015)
2. Discuss revival of Pak-US relations in context of present US-Taliban
peace process. (CSS 2020)
Topic 14: Foreign Policy of Pakistan Post 9/11
 1. Write note on the post 9/11 foreign policy of Pakistan. What role do
you foresee for Pakistan in regional and global politics in the near
future? (CSS 2016)
Topic 15: Evolution of Democratic System in Pakistan
Topic 16: Ethnic Issues and National Integration
1. There is crisis of national integration in Pakistan since its creation.
What measures do you suggest for the promotion of national
integration of Pakistan? (CSS 2018)
Topic 17: Hydro Politics ; Water Issues in Domestic and Regional Context
Topic 18: Pakistan’s National Interest
Topic 19: Challenges to Sovereignty
Topic 20: Pakistan’s Energy Problems and their Effects
1. Explore the option of alternative energy resources to overcome
energy crisis in Pakistan. (CSS 2017)
2. What are the main causes of the energy crisis in Pakistan? What
measures do you recommend to address it? (CSS 2019)
3. Pakistan’s energy crisis was due to the lack of strategy and political
will. Discuss. (CSS 2020)
Topic 21:Pakistan’s Relations with Neighbors excluding India
Topic 22:Pakistan and India Relations Since 1947
1. What are the major provisions of Simla Agreement (1972) between
Pakistan and India? How it was helpful for establishment of durable
peace in the region? (CSS 2020)
Topic 23:The Kashmir Issue
1. Discuss the Kashmir problem in its entirety; throwing light on its
background and prospects of possible solutions to this core issue
between India and Pakistan. (CSS 2016)
Topic 24: The war in Afghanistan since 1979 and its impact on, and
challenges to Pakistan in the Post 2014 era.
Topic 25: Proxy Wars: Role of External Elements
1. What is meant by the term “Proxy War”? Are there any extrinsic
factors at play in the internal security situation of Pakistan? (CSS
2020)
Topic 26: Economic Conditions of Pakistan, the Most Recent Economic
Survey, the Previous and Current Budgets, and the Problems and
Performance of Major Sectors of Economy.
Topic 27: The Recent Constitutional and Legal Debates, the Latest
Constitutional Amendments and Important Legislations, Legal Cases and
the Role of Higher Courts.
1. Discus the role of judiciary in the constitutional development of
Pakistan. (CSS 2017)
2. Discuss the nature of centre-province relations under the 1973
Constitution. (CSS 2018)
3. How far the nature of Centre-Province relations has changed under
various amendments to the 1973 constitution? Evaluate. (CSS 2019)
Topic 28: The Prevailing Social Problems of Pakistan and the Strategies to
Deal with Them, Poverty, Education, Health and Sanitation.
1. The population growth in Pakistan can erupt like an atomic bomb.
Comment (CSS 2019)
Topic 29: Out of Syllabus (Applied Questions)
1. Was Islamization during Zia era a need of Pakistan or was it a
political propaganda? (CSS 2015)
2. CPEC is a flagship project of One Belt One Road (OBOR) and a
regional game changer. Explain. (CSS 2017)
3. Discuss the changing trends in Pakistan- US relations since 2001.
(CSS 2018)
4. Critically analyze the key causes of delaying construction of DAMS in
Pakistan. Give some suggestions to revert this collateral loss. (CSS
2019)