Current Affairs-2014

Current Affairs 2014; Important Questions and Techniques

By: Muhammad Ali Khan

Introductory Remarks:
That the paper of Current Affair has been a low scoring subject in past years of CSS examination makes a sense when it comes to the point of its study pattern and techniques. FPSC in one of its reports revealed that Majority of the candidates seemed to depend on the guide books which showed their lack of in-depth study of National and International Affairs whereas, some of the candidates performed well in MCQ part of the paper and secured more than 70% marks. However, their knowledge and awareness on the relevant issues was not good. Time management for answering each question was not given due consideration. In this exam only three candidates could score sixty plus marks for the year reported. (Emphasis mine)

In-depth study from related books, efficient time management, critical understanding of the issues and writing in appropriate nomenclature shall yield good score in Current Affairs paper. (Thanks heaven students at NOA, Islamabad, are blessed with Sir Fareed Khan and Ms.Kanwal Naqvi as resource persons for the subject, whereas guidance and knowledge are accredited with the both and first-hand experience & useful techniques to attempt first-rate paper with the later.)

Major Portions and Important Questions

Studies of paper of Current Affair are divided in to four major portions; national issues/crisis, international issues/crisis, diplomatic relations of Pakistan and important organizations relevant to Pakistan, apart from multiple choice questions.

internal issues of Pakistan. Mastering in this area shall enable the candidates to score

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Analysis of past three years papers reveled that four questions do appear from the

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good marks, not only in paper of Current Affairs but also in exam of Pakistans Affairs, too. Entirely within the realm of probability, a guess of questions from four important areas for Current Affair 2014 is: First, from internal/national issues, Role and functions of Democracy; its future and Politics in Pakistan, Situation of Afghanistan after US Exist ,its security, political and economic impacts on Pakistan and on the South Asia, Militancy, Sectarianism and its effects, Issue of Baluchistan its impacts and viable solutions, Local Governance,

Energy Vision of current government, Economic Self Reliance with special reference to the issues of corruption , accountability , broadening of tax base & debt burden; Role and need of free and fair media and its impact on society, Active role of judiciary and evaluation of judicial activism are to enlist a few.

Second important area is of International Issues, here, Political turmoil of Arab World, Situation of Egypt, Syria and whole Middle East, Economic Vision and future political, economic and strategic role of China, Evaluation of Role of UN in contemporary world are important topics to prepare.

Third, the diplomatic ties of Pakistan with China, Iran, US and Russia their significance and future are important. India and Pakistan have consistently subjected Kashmiri interests to their own national security agendas and silenced calls for greater autonomy. A question shall appear to discuss the steps towards peace putting the Kashmir(is) first!

Last, surely not the least is the area of International and Regional Organizations. For this, a comprehensive study on the worlds largest debating club (sic) United Nation is a must. Whereas, about roaring Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Muslims dominated Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), bailout famous European Union (EU) and snail-swift South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a must read.1

For all practical purposes my opinion and prophesies are second to Sir Fareed and Madam Kanwals. (emphasis)

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Techniques
A pertinent question arise how to embark upon Current Affairs paper then? Following approach shall help. To study an organization a student must know, when the organization was established, reasons and rationales behind its establishment, its core members and leadership, objectives and vision of the organization, its achievements in the past, any parallel organization to it, level and nature of the organization; like its a regional or international organization, and is it an economic or a military alliance, its economic, political, geostrategic importance, its future, its important sessions and a indisputable SOWC analysis. The catch in for foreign relations shall be time line / history of the relation, important events, start of relations, long standing issues; making or breaking the relations, its importance in National Interest of Pakistan (you must know that the life of this giant of National Interest is encompassed in the nymphs of Kashmir Issue, Strong Nuclear Program, seeking Veto-Favor at UN, Economic and Military Aid). Further, discussion about balance of power in the region, importance of relations at state and society level is a sine qua non of a question on diplomatic ties.

The punch points for a question on national and international issues are ; back ground and nature of the issue, a brief historical view, why it is relevant to Pakistan, its important stakeholders and their principle stance and Interests of the all major players, current position, how the issue can be addressed and future of this issue possibility of solution. To add on, gravity of the issue polices related with this and international response and its effects are also important.

Scoring sixteen plus marks in MCQs shall help to reach a good total in the paper. Reading daily, a good Urdu or English daily, PTV news at 21:00 hours and studying a
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good current affair journal shall result in good score MCQs and in the paper too.

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Concluding Remarks
The quid pro quo for seventy plus marks in the paper is reading from standard books, in-depth study of national and international affairs and better time management for answering each question and following the guide lines of the resource person. Lets be faithful with the advice of our resource persons!

Best Wishes

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