Q. 1 Write an Essay (1000-1200 words) on any ONE of the following topics:(100 Marks)
(i) The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Opinion
(ii) Economic Crisis in Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward
(iii) Co-Education: Pros and Cons
(iv) Energy Crisis in Pakistan and its Solution
(v) Gridlock in National Politics
Q. 2 Make a Précis of the following passage and suggest a suitable title:(50 Marks)
The individual human being is not a solitary creature who can exist independently of his fellow men. From the moment of birth, he is dependent on his parents and his community for physical survival, emotional nurturing, and cognitive development. Society shapes his language, his beliefs, his values, and his ultimate destiny. Without the framework of a structured community, man would revert to a primitive state, stripped of the cultural and scientific achievements that define modern civilization. However, this dependence is a reciprocal arrangement. Just as society molds the individual, the progress and vitality of society depend entirely on the initiative, creativity, and moral integrity of its individual members. A stagnant society that suppresses individual thought and forces absolute conformity eventually decays from within. True human progress is only achieved when there is a harmonious balance between individual liberty and social responsibility. Education plays a pivotal role in maintaining this equilibrium, as it should not only equip the individual with specialized knowledge for personal advancement but also instill a deep sense of civic duty and ethical obligation toward the collective welfare of the nation.
Q. 3 Translate the following passage into Urdu:(25 Marks)
Civilization is not a product of wealth or material luxury, but it is the refinement of human manners and the cultivation of intellectual arts. A nation may build towering skyscrapers and possess vast financial reserves, yet it remains uncivilized if its citizens lack empathy, justice, and respect for law. True development is measured by how a society treats its weakest members—the poor, the minorities, and the oppressed. When state institutions fail to provide swift justice and equal opportunities, the social fabric begins to tear apart, leading to widespread frustration and crime.
Q. 4 Translate the following passage into English:(25 Marks)
کامیابی کا انحصار صرف اس بات پر نہیں ہے کہ آپ کتنے ذہین ہیں، بلکہ اس بات پر ہے کہ آپ مشکلات کا مقابلہ کس طرح کرتے ہیں۔ تاریخ گواہ ہے کہ دنیا کے عظیم رہنماؤں اور سائنسدانوں نے اپنی زندگی میں بے شمار ناکامیوں کا سامنا کیا۔ انہوں نے ہر ناکامی کو ایک سبق سمجھا اور اپنی محنت جاری رکھی۔ ہمارے نوجوانوں کو یہ بات سمجھنی چاہیے کہ شارٹ کٹ کے ذریعے حاصل کی گئی کامیابی عارضی ہوتی ہے، جبکہ مستقل مزاجی اور دیانت داری سے کی گئی محنت انسان کو اصل بلندیوں تک پہنچاتی ہے۔
PART 2: SOLVED
Q. 1 Essay Writing (Solved: Topic ii)
Title: Economic Crisis in Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward
1. Introduction
Pakistan is currently grappling with one of the most severe economic crises in its history. Characterized by skyrocketing inflation, a staggering balance of payments deficit, depleting foreign exchange reserves, and a mounting burden of external debt, the economic landscape presents a formidable challenge to the country’s sovereignty and stability. While the symptoms are visible in the daily struggles of the common man, the root causes are structural and historical. Addressing this crisis requires a clear diagnosis of current challenges and the implementation of a comprehensive, non-partisan blueprint for sustainable economic recovery.
2. Key Challenges Confronting the Economy
The Debt Trap and Fiscal Deficit: For decades, Pakistan has operated on a budget deficit, spending significantly more than it earns. This gap has been consistently bridged through domestic and foreign borrowings. A massive portion of the national budget is now consumed by debt servicing, leaving negligible capital for development, infrastructure, or human resource welfare.
Balance of Payments and Trade Imbalance: The country suffers from a chronic structural imbalance in trade. Pakistan’s export base remains narrow and low-value (dominated by raw textiles and agriculture), while its import bill is heavily burdened by energy (oil and gas), machinery, and luxury items. This deficit consistently drains foreign exchange reserves, forcing reliance on IMF bailouts and friendly nations’ loans.
Low Tax-to-GDP Ratio and Documented Economy: Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest in the region, hovering around 9-10%. A vast portion of the economy, including real estate, retail, and wholesale trade, remains largely undocumented and untaxed. The tax burden falls disproportionately on the salaried class and through regressive indirect taxes on the general public.
Energy Sector Circular Debt: The energy sector has become a black hole for the national exchequer. Inefficiencies, power theft, line losses, and expensive sovereign agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have accumulated billions in circular debt, driving electricity tariffs to unaffordable levels for both citizens and industries.
Inflation and Weak Governance: Mismanagement of supply chains, market hoarding, and currency devaluation have led to historic levels of inflation. Food and energy inflation have crippled the purchasing power of the middle and lower socioeconomic classes, pushing millions below the poverty line.
3. Strategic Way Forward (Recommendations)
Structural Tax Reforms: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) must undergo complete digital transformation to minimize human interaction and corruption. The tax net must be forcefully expanded to include high-earning sectors like retail, agriculture, and real estate. Transitioning from indirect to direct taxation will provide relief to the poor while increasing state revenue.
Export Diversification and Investment Attraction: Pakistan must transition from an import-substitution model to an export-led growth strategy. Incentives should be provided to non-traditional sectors such as Information Technology (IT), value-added agriculture, and minerals. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC must be operationalized quickly to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Energy Sector Overhaul: The state must aggressively address circular debt by reforming power distribution companies (DISCOs), curbing electricity theft, and renegotiating unsustainable IPP contracts. Transitioning toward indigenous renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydel) will significantly reduce the oil import bill.
Privatization of Loss-Making SOEs: State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) such as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Steel Mills, and loss-making DISCOs drain hundreds of billions of rupees annually in bailouts. Transparent privatization or public-private partnerships of these entities will free up critical fiscal space for public development.
Agricultural Modernization: Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy but suffers from low yield. Introducing corporate farming, modern irrigation techniques (drip irrigation), and high-quality seeds can eliminate reliance on food imports (such as wheat and cotton) and turn agriculture into a high-yielding export sector.
4. Conclusion
The economic crisis in Pakistan is profound, but it is not insurmountable. It is a crisis born out of political instability, short-term policy planning, and a lack of structural will. Resolving this requires a national consensus on an economic agenda—a “Charter of Economy”—that remains uninterrupted by political transitions. By implementing rigorous tax reforms, prioritizing industrial and IT exports, reducing state expenses, and fixing the energy sector, Pakistan can break free from the debt cycle and chart a path toward self-reliance and sustainable prosperity.
Q. 2 Précis Writing and Title
Suggested Title: The Interdependence of Individual, Society, and Education
Précis:
Human beings are fundamentally social creatures whose survival, language, values, and development depend entirely on their community. However, this relationship is deeply reciprocal; societal progress relies heavily on the moral integrity, creativity, and freedom of its individual members, as forced conformity leads to social decay. Ultimate human advancement relies on balancing individual liberty with civic responsibility. In this regard, education serves as a vital tool, which must not only prepare individuals for personal success but also foster an enduring sense of ethical duty toward national welfare.
Q. 3 Translation: English to Urdu
“Civilization is not a product of wealth or material luxury, but it is the refinement of human manners and the cultivation of intellectual arts. A nation may build towering skyscrapers and possess vast financial reserves, yet it remains uncivilized if its citizens lack empathy, justice, and respect for law. True development is measured by how a society treats its weakest members—the poor, the minorities, and the oppressed. When state institutions fail to provide swift justice and equal opportunities, the social fabric begins to tear apart, leading to widespread frustration and crime.”
تہذیب و تمدن دولت یا مادی عیاشی کی پیداوار نہیں ہے، بلکہ یہ انسانی اخلاق و آداب کی شائستگی اور ذہنی و فکری فنون کی آبیاری کا نام ہے۔ ایک قوم فلک بوس عمارات تو تعمیر کر سکتی ہے اور وسیع مالیاتی ذخائر کی مالک بھی ہو سکتی ہے، لیکن اگر اس کے شہریوں میں ہمدردی، انصاف اور قانون کا احترام نہ ہو تو وہ غیر مہذب ہی رہتی ہے۔ حقیقی ترقی کی پیمائش اس بات سے کی جاتی ہے کہ ایک معاشرہ اپنے کمزور ترین ارکان—یعنی غریبوں، اقلیتوں اور مظلوموں کے ساتھ کیسا سلوک کرتا ہے۔ جب ریاستی ادارے فوری انصاف اور مساوی مواقع فراہم کرنے میں ناکام ہو جاتے ہیں، تو معاشرتی تانا بانا ٹوٹنے لگتا ہے، جس کے نتیجے میں بڑے پیمانے پر مایوسی اور جرائم جنم لیتے ہیں۔
Q. 4 Translation: Urdu to English
“کامیابی کا انحصار صرف اس بات پر نہیں ہے کہ آپ کتنے ذہین ہیں، بلکہ اس بات پر ہے کہ آپ مشکلات کا مقابلہ کس طرح کرتے ہیں۔ تاریخ گواہ ہے کہ دنیا کے عظیم رہنماؤں اور سائنسدانوں نے اپنی زندگی میں بے شمار ناکامیوں کا سامنا کیا۔ انہوں نے ہر ناکامی کو ایک سبق سمجھا اور اپنی محنت جاری رکھی۔ ہمارے نوجوانوں کو یہ بات سمجھنی چاہیے کہ شارٹ کٹ کے ذریعے حاصل کی گئی کامیابی عارضی ہوتی ہے، جبکہ مستقل مزاجی اور دیانت داری سے کی گئی محنت انسان کو اصل بلندیوں تک پہنچاتی ہے۔”
“Success does not depend solely on how intelligent you are, but on how you confront hardships. History bears witness that the world’s great leaders and scientists faced countless failures in their lives. They treated every failure as a lesson and continued their hard work. Our youth must understand that success achieved through shortcuts is temporary, whereas hard work done with perseverance and honesty elevates a person to true heights.”
