Q-1. Write an Essay on any One of the following topics (between 350-400 words): (50)
(i) United we stand, Divided we fall.
(ii) The Educative Value of Travelling.
(iii) Pakistan in the year 2010 A.D.
(iv) The Power and Responsibility of the Press.
Q-2. Make a précis of the following passage and assign a suitable title: (25)
One of the worst offshoots of population growth is the massive rural influx into big cities. South Asia in particular provides the most glaring example of the unbalanced economic development pattern typical of developing states. Mercifully, conditions in Pakistan are better than those in India. In Calcutta and Bombay, for example, millions have made footpaths their abode. In Pakistan, too, the trend towards urbanization continues, and unless something is done to avert this, we may well sees a parallel to the conditions in our neighbouring country. Pakistan was faced with the problem right from its inception. In the absence of a advance and articulate planning for settling the looming swarms of refugees the influx into big cities was but natural. Karachi was a city of about four lakh before the establishment of Pakistan and now its population is well over six million. In additional to the original thrust in 1947, large scale influx not only from the adjoining areas but also all concerns of the length and breadth of the country, has continued with ceaseless intensity.
Q-3. Translate into Urdu: (12.5)
A man without knowledge and wisdom is worthless. Almighty God created this world for man and asked him to get knowledge and wisdom to make the best use of its resources. Man has forgotten the purpose of his creation. He has not desire to get knowledge, to learn new things and to learn others. Therefore, we can say we are hollow men, we are stuffed like puppet or dolls. We have no knowledge to convey to others. Our speech is like voices made by the grass and rats. We have no form and no colour. We have strength, but we don’t know how to use it. The dead people do not know of our being frustrated or not. We seem to be only puppets made of straw.
Q-4. Translate into English: (12.5)
ہمیں زندگی کے تصورات (معاملاتِ زندگی) میں متجسس رہنا چاہیے۔ ہمیں زندگی کے حقائق کے بارے میں فکر مند اور متفکر رہنا چاہیے۔ واضع اور یقینی طرزِ فکر سے ہم زندگی کے حقائق کی تہہ تک پہنچ سکتے ہیں۔ اصل میں جہالت نہیں بلکہ جہالت سے لا علمی ہی علم کی موت ہے۔ ایسا آدمی جو اپنی رائے کبھی نہیں بدلتا (اصلاح کی کوشش نہیں کرتا) کھڑے پانی کی طرح ہے اور اس کے ذہن میں رینگنے والے جانور نشوونما پاتے ہیں، یعنی اس کے ذہن میں فضول باتیں پیدا ہوتی ہیں۔ عظیم ترین ذہن خاموشی سے عمل کرتے ہیں۔
Q-1. The Power and Responsibility of the Press.
Essay Outline
1. Introduction
The Press as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy.
The core theme: Power must be balanced with ethical responsibility.
2. The Power of the Press
Shaping public opinion and holding the powerful accountable.
Agenda-setting and uncovering systemic corruption.
3. The Responsibility of the Press
Maintaining objectivity, verifying facts, and avoiding yellow journalism.
The danger of spreading fake news and sensationalism in the digital age.
4. Conclusion
A brief summary highlighting that a free yet responsible press is vital for a just society.
Essay
The press is globally recognized as the fourth pillar of democracy, standing alongside the executive, legislature, and judiciary. In any progressive society, the media acts as a bridge between the governing institutions and the public. However, this immense social position brings with it a critical dynamic: the vast power to influence minds must always be balanced with an equal measure of ethical responsibility. When the press functions effectively, it strengthens the state; when it acts irresponsibly, it can destabilize the social fabric.
The power of the press is unmatched in its ability to shape public opinion and drive national discourse. Through investigative journalism, the media uncovers systemic corruption, highlights governance gaps, and gives a voice to marginalized communities. It acts as a societal watchdog, ensuring that public officials remain accountable to the citizens who elected them. By deciding which stories receive primetime coverage, the press exercises immense agenda-setting power, capable of turning localized issues into matters of international priority.
Yet, this far-reaching power becomes dangerous without strict ethical responsibility. The primary duty of the press is the pursuit of objective truth. Journalists are obligated to verify facts rigorously before dissemination, resisting the temptation to prioritize breaking news speed over absolute accuracy. In the contemporary digital landscape, the rise of sensationalism and “clickbait” culture has led to an increase in biased reporting and yellow journalism. When media outlets publish unverified rumors or deliberately polarize public sentiment for higher ratings, they compromise their professional integrity and cause public harm.
Furthermore, the press carries a heavy national responsibility to protect vulnerable groups and avoid inciting social, ethnic, or religious violence. Freedom of expression is a fundamental constitutional right, but it is not absolute; it ends where public safety, national security, and individual dignity are compromised.
In conclusion, the press holds a powerful position capable of guiding or misguiding an entire nation. To maintain public trust, modern media platforms must enforce robust internal self-regulation and uphold traditional journalistic ethics. A free, independent, and deeply responsible press remains indispensable for safeguarding democratic values and fostering an informed, just society.
Q-2. Make a précis of the following passage and assign a suitable title: (25)
Suitable Title
The Challenges of Uncontrolled Urbanization in South Asia
Population Growth and Rural-to-Urban Migration
The Urban Influx: Lessons for Pakistan
Précis
Rapid population growth has driven a massive influx of rural populations into major South Asian cities, reflecting unbalanced regional economic development. While urban conditions in Pakistan have historically been slightly better than the extreme footpath poverty seen in Indian cities like Calcutta and Bombay, the continuous trend of urbanization poses a serious threat. Pakistan has faced this intense migration challenge since its inception in 1947, when millions of refugees arrived without advanced institutional planning. This ongoing, heavy migration from all corners of the country has radically transformed cities like Karachi, swelling its population from a few hundred thousand to several millions, highlighting the urgent need for structured urban management.
Q-3. Translate into Urdu: (12.5)
A man without knowledge and wisdom is worthless. Almighty God created this world for man and asked him to get knowledge and wisdom to make the best use of its resources. Man has forgotten the purpose of his creation. He has not desire to get knowledge, to learn new things and to learn others. Therefore, we can say we are hollow men, we are stuffed like puppet or dolls. We have no knowledge to convey to others. Our speech is like voices made by the grass and rats. We have no form and no colour. We have strength, but we don’t know how to use it. The dead people do not know of our being frustrated or not. We seem to be only puppets made of straw.
علم اور دانشمندی کے بغیر انسان بے وقعت (بے کار) ہے۔ اللہ تعالیٰ نے یہ دنیا انسان کے لیے بنائی اور اسے علم اور دانشمندی حاصل کرنے کا حکم دیا تاکہ وہ اس کے وسائل کا بہترین استعمال کر سکے۔ مگر انسان اپنی تخلیق کا مقصد بھول چکا ہے۔ اس کے اندر علم حاصل کرنے، نئی چیزیں سیکھنے اور دوسروں کو سکھانے کی کوئی خواہش نہیں رہی۔ اس لیے، ہم کہہ سکتے ہیں کہ ہم کھوکھلے انسان ہیں، ہم کٹھ پتلیوں یا گڑیوں کی طرح بھرے ہوئے ہیں۔ ہمارے پاس دوسروں تک پہنچانے کے لیے کوئی علم نہیں ہے۔ ہماری گفتگو ایسی ہے جیسے گھاس اور چوہوں کی آوازیں ہوں۔ ہمارا نہ کوئی روپ ہے اور نہ کوئی رنگ۔ ہمارے پاس طاقت تو ہے، لیکن ہم نہیں جانتے کہ اسے استعمال کیسے کرنا ہے۔ مردہ لوگ یہ نہیں جانتے کہ ہم مایوس ہیں یا نہیں۔ ہم محض بھوسے سے بنی ہوئی کٹھ پتلیاں معلوم ہوتے ہیں۔
Q-4. Translate into English: (12.5)
ہمیں زندگی کے تصورات (معاملاتِ زندگی) میں متجسس رہنا چاہیے۔ ہمیں زندگی کے حقائق کے بارے میں فکر مند اور متفکر رہنا چاہیے۔ واضع اور یقینی طرزِ فکر سے ہم زندگی کے حقائق کی تہہ تک پہنچ سکتے ہیں۔ اصل میں جہالت نہیں بلکہ جہالت سے لا علمی ہی علم کی موت ہے۔ ایسا آدمی جو اپنی رائے کبھی نہیں بدلتا (اصلاح کی کوشش نہیں کرتا) کھڑے پانی کی طرح ہے اور اس کے ذہن میں رینگنے والے جانور نشوونما پاتے ہیں، یعنی اس کے ذہن میں فضول باتیں پیدا ہوتی ہیں۔ عظیم ترین ذہن خاموشی سے عمل کرتے ہیں۔
We should remain curious about the concepts of life (affairs of life). We must stay concerned and thoughtful about the realities of life. Through a clear and definite way of thinking, we can reach the depth of life’s realities. In truth, it is not ignorance itself, but being unaware of one’s ignorance that is the death of knowledge. A man who never changes his opinion (makes no effort to reform) is like stagnant water, and crawling creatures breed in his mind; that is to say, useless thoughts breed in his intellect. The greatest minds act in silence.
