Ultimate CSS Pakistan Affairs Preparation Course

Pakistan affairs is a compulsory and unavoidable section of the CSS exam. It is worth 100 marks. In this section, the candidates appearing for the exam are to be tested on their knowledge concerning the ideology of Pakistan, its history, resources, politics, and domestic affairs.

Following are the topic you can be tested on in this section:

• Ideology of Pakistan: Candidates would be tested on their knowledge regarding its definition and elucidation, Historical aspects, Muslim rule in the subcontinent, its downfall, and efforts for the renaissance. Movements for reforms and other educational institutions. The ideology of Pakistan in the light of Speeches and statements of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
• Land and People of Pakistan: Students would be tested regarding their knowledge of Geography, Society, Natural resources, Agriculture, Industry, and education concerning characteristics, trends, and problems.
• Pakistan and changing regional apparatus
• Nuclear program of Pakistan, its safety and security; international  concerns
• Regional economic cooperation (SAARC, ECO, SCO) and the role of Pakistan
• Civil-military relations in Pakistan
• Economic challenges in Pakistan
• Palestine issue
• Challenges to the national security of Pakistan
• Political evolution since 1971
• Pakistan and US war on terror
• Foreign policy of Pakistan post 9/11
• Evolution of democratic system in Pakistan
• Ethnic issues and national integration
• Hydro politics
• Pakistan’s national interest
• Challenges to sovereignty
• Pakistan’s energy problems and their effects
• Pakistan’s relations with neighbors
• Kashmir issue
• The war in Afghanistan since 1979 and its impact on, and challenges to Pakistan, in the post-2014 era.
• Proxy Wars
• Economic Conditions of Pakistan, the most recent economic survey, the previous and current.
• Budgets, and the problems and performance of major sectors of the economy.
• The recent constitutional and legal debates, the latest constitutional amendments and important legislation, legal cases, and the role of higher courts.
• The prevailing social problems of Pakistan and the strategies to deal with them, poverty, education, health, and sanitation.

Pakistan affairs is among the three compulsory papers of general knowledge, thus, it is a very important subject to focus on. Every CSS aspirant wishes to ace this section. Here are some strategies that will help you get more than 65% marks in Pakistan Affairs section.

• Read History:

As Pakistan Affairs is a history subject, it is very important for you to know the history of Pakistan and the Kashmir issue. The evolution and origin of the Kashmir issue along with its historical background. These topics regarding the Kashmir issue are of utmost importance. The CSS past papers are proof of this. The separation of East Pakistan is also of grave importance and cannot be ignored.

• Read Articles and Columns:

Try taking some time out from your busy life to daily read a newspaper. Focus on the articles that concern domestic affairs. But keep in mind that the newspaper you read is credible. For instance, you can consider DAWN and Express Tribune. Half an hour of your morning would be enough for you to keep up with the daily Pakistan news regarding the economic challenges in Pakistan, and its role in Regional Economic Cooperation.

• International Newspaper:

Keep an eye on international newspapers and journals to remain updated about what the world thinks about Pakistan and its reaction to Pakistan affairs and its foreign policy. Columns provide wider exposure and an expert perspective on the happenings around the world.

• Listen to News and Talk Shows:

Listening to the news and talk shows is one of the easiest ways to remain updated. They increase your knowledge about Pakistan Affairs to a massive amount. Budgets, the problems and performance of major sectors of the economy, the prevailing social problems of Pakistan and the strategies to deal with them, poverty, education, health, and sanitation, and Pakistan’s energy problems and their effects. These are some major topics to focus on. You can just listen to them while you have your breakfast or while you are out for your morning walk.  

• Make Notes:

You would have heard this multiple times since your childhood that making notes of important things can help you remember them. Take notes of all the notable and important happenings around the country. They will remain in your memory in this way and can be helpful for your last-minute revision.

• Practice Drawing Maps:

It is important for you to have a practice of drawing maps of Pakistan, Kashmir, and South Asia for acing the CSS Pakistan Affairs section. This will depict your knowledge regarding the geography of Pakistan.

• Quotations of Important Personalities:

The history of Pakistan is of utmost importance for Pakistan Affairs subject. You need to remember the quotations and sayings of important personalities in this regard.

• Read Books and their summaries:

You should consider and read books on the history of Pakistan, its ideology, and the reforms made. Evolution of domestic reforms, the war in Afghanistan since 1979, and its impact on, and challenges to Pakistan, in the post-2014 era.