Pakistan’s Domestic Affairs

Economic:
What measures would you suggest to improve the economy of Pakistan particularly in the areas of debt
reduction and enhancing export capacity? (2016)

Critically discuss that why Pakistan's economic growth continues to be "Balance-of-Payments"

constraint which is one of the core cause to keep the foreign exchange reserves under pressure. Do you
think that Pakistan's export performance remains the most relevant long-term challenge to alleviate the
balance-of-payments constraint for sustained economics growth and explain radical structural reforms to
improve export performance? (2023)

Energy Crisis:
Give a critical review of Pakistan Energy Policy 2013 – 2018. (2019)

CPEC/BRI:
Discuss the prospects and challenges to the construction of “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”. How
will CPEC become a game changer for the region? (2016)

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered as a game-changer. How the CPEC can be
helpful to uplift the Pakistan’s economy? Discuss. (2018)

Examine China strategic vision behind ‘The Bell and Road initiative (BRI)' also known as One Belt One
Road (OBOR). (2019)

Discuss the project idea of 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. (2023)

Critically examine China’s strategic vision behind its ‘One Belt, One Road’ venture. (2017)

Political:
(Internal Security/Terrorism and counter terrorism)
Discuss in detail the efficacy of counter terrorism measures adopted by the government, especially with
reference to the National Action Plan. (2016)

Highlight the role of National Action Plan (NAP) in stabilization of internal security of Pakistan.
Critically analyze its outcomes? (2017)
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)

Why was Pakistan placed on the ‘Grey List’ of Financial Action Task Force (FATF)? What are the
implications and what measures should Pakistan take to move out of this list? (2020)
Discuss instrument of techniques of Hybrid warfare in context to Pakistan. (2019)

Governance Issues/Solutions:
How can the corruption elimination strategy be made part of governance system of Pakistan? (2019)

Numerous political systems- Parliamentary as well as Presidential, have been in vogue in Pakistan with
limited success. Draft your own proposed but practical system that would result in good governance of
the country. Stipulate reasons and conditions for its success. (2022)

Most of the major political parties have committed to the creation of the new provinces in Pakistan.
Should new provinces be created or not, in Pakistan? Elaborate your answer by giving references from the
new provinces debate. (2021)

The creation of more provinces is a persistent demand from some circles in Pakistan. How do you see the
creation of more provinces in Pakistan; as beneficial or harmful for the people? Explain your views with
solid justification. (2024)

How can the governing structure have the capacity to neutralize threats to internal security of Pakistan?
(2019)

Pakistan’s External Affairs:

Pakistan’s relations with its Neighbors (India, China, Afghanistan, Russia)
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? (2016)

Water Crisis:
What will be the reason of emerging water conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan? (2019)
What impact global climate change will have on the water resources of Pakistan? How will it affect inter-
provincial harmony? (2020)

Pakistan’s Relations with USA:

Critically evaluate the US-Pakistan relations under the Joe Biden Administration vis-à-vis the US’ Indo-
Pacific strategy. (2024)

Pakistan’s relations with the Muslim World (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia,
Turkey) + International Security
(Saudi-Iran Reproachment)
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? (2016)

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)

Discuss in detail the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and challenges to it. (2018)

Discuss historic Pakistan and Turkey bilateral relations beyond the areas of socio-economic and strategic
realms. Explain its geopolitical ripple effects in the Himalayas, the Arabian Peninsula, and the South
Caucasus. (2023)

Pakistan’s relational with regional and international organization (UN,

SAARC, ECO, OIC, WTO, GCC)
What are the opportunities and challenges for Pakistan as one of the new members of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO)? (2018)

Discuss in detail the role of OIC, Arab league and GCC in the Middle East crises and conflicts. (2020)

(a) Poverty & Trade in South Asia and the role of SAARC (10 Marks), (2022)

Muslim Ummah has failed to unite under one roof. The leadership, their internal wrangling and sectarian
divide keeps them away from each other. No wonder the Muslim world is in shambles in their home
countries, at OIC level and at international forums. Taking a tag from above, discuss ways and means to
unite the Muslim Ummah with a pragmatic approach. (2022)

Discuss the Pakistan’s historic role in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and under the
framework of regional integration; what are the future prospects of ECO for Pakistan? (2024)

International Security:
Middle East Crisis:
Critically analyze the US-Russia relations in context of ISIS and its impact on the security situation of
Middle East. (2017)

Describe the 2017 Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and its impact on the Middle East. (2018)

(c) 2022 FIFA World Cup and politics of the Arab World (10 marks), (2022)

Critically analyze the newly established Islamic Military Alliance and its future implications for the
Muslim World? (2018)

Russian-Ukraine Conflict:
Propose prospective foreign policy options for Pakistan in the wake of Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24
February 2022. (2022)

Discuss the core causes of Russian invasion of Ukraine which have considerable socio-economic,
political and strategic consequences on the world. Explain its devastating impact on Pakistan and its
severe lesson for the country's survival. (2023)

Evaluate the implications of Ukraine War for the Russia-Europe energy relations. (2024)
 Cooperation and Competition in Arabian Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans.:
Examine the emerging strategic competition between China and the US and its impact on global order.
(2016)

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. (2017)

The impact of burgeoning US-India strategic partnership over the security situation of the region and
Indian Ocean Region. (2017)

(a). Analyze the effects of commissioning of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS
Arihant equipped with nuclear-capable missile called K-4 over the strategic stability of South Asia.
(b). US-India in August 2016 signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that will
reportedly facilitate the two allies to use each other’s military facilities to check China’s growing
influence. Comment. (2017)

How the United States is trying to keep its dominant position in the Asia-Pacific and what is the China’s
response to it? (2018)

Discuss the strategic contours of Indo-US evolving partnership and how will it impact Pakistan-US and
Pakistan-China relations? (2020)

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. (2020)

In view of the evolving global alignments and changing nature of major-power relationships, what is the
future of globalism and multilateralism? Discuss with examples. (2020)

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. (2022)

(a) Prospects of regional integration in South Asia(10 marks), (2024)

Nuclear Proliferation & Nuclear Security:

How do the nature and possible prospects of US-Russia strategic nuclear deterrence change with the
enforcement of New START treaty of 2021? What could be the treaty’s implications on Pakistan`s
nuclear programme, keeping in view its defence policy? (2022)

(b) The UN efforts for nuclear non-proliferation (10 marks), (2024)

 Kashmir Issue/Human Rights:
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? (2020)
What are the similarities and differences between Nagorno-Kaharabakh and Kashmir conflicts? (2021)

Palestine Conflict:
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. (2024)

What will be the strategic and political implications of the US withdrawal from the Open Skies
Treaty, and how is it impacting the arms control arrangements between the great powers? (2021)

Critically examine the Donald Trump’s Policy for South Asia and its implications for Pakistan and
the region. (2018)

The 2021 Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan presents regional and global challenges. Elaborate the
anticipated policies of the Taliban government and the regional and global response. (2022)

Some scholars term Afghan Peace Deal as the US Withdrawal Deal. Do you agree? Answer the
question while discussing the contours of the Afghan peace process. (2021)

Delineate the ways in which Covid-19 has affected the contours of the contemporary world order.
(2021)

(b) A comparison of leadership qualities between Xi Jinping of China and Joe Biden of the US. (10
marks), (2022)

World Population Trends and Policies:

Last two decades have seen the rise of the right as a potent challenge to the liberal democracies
throughout the world. What are the causes of this rise and how can states attend to this challenge? (2021)

November 15, 2022, will be a historic date in humanity's history because at this date the Earth's
population reached to the 8 billion mark. Critically discuss that the 21 century is a century of rapid
population growth which has a devastating negative impact in the world. Explain the severe consequences
of rapid population growth which will affect to every country on earth. (2023)

Environment: Global Warming, Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen Accord:

(Climate Change and COPs)
Discuss the adverse impact of climate change on the world and the measures recently adopted by the Paris
Conference to address this issue. (2016)

Elaborate the reasons and impacts on Doland Trump withdrawal from climate change Paris agreement in
2015. (2019)
(c) Climate Change and the Big Powers’ role (10 marks), (2024)

The UN climate summit (COP-27) in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) discussed Pakistan catastrophic summer
floods exacerbated by climate change and the country is facing imminent threat of epidemics and other
multi-dimensional dangers. Discuss the COP-27 road map to face the challenge of climate change and
proposed measures for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Pakistan. (2023)

Artificial Intelligence:
How is militarization of Artificial Intelligence and Computing revolutionizing the military affairs? (2021)

Global Energy Politics:

Critically discuss the conceptualized energy's influence on the world geo-politics and its distinctiveness of
global energy governance. (2023)