Q. 1
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
The institution of 'Ombudsman' (Wafaqi Mohtasib) originated historically in which country in 1809?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The Parliamentary Ombudsman (Justitieombudsmannen) was created in Sweden in 1809 as an independent public protector against administrative abuse and maladministration.
Q. 2
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
The Office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) in Pakistan was established under which statute?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The Federal Ombudsman was established under President's Order No. 1 of 1983 to diagnose, investigate, redress, and rectify any injustice done to a person through maladministration in federal agencies.
Q. 3
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under P.O. 1 of 1983, who appoints the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) of Pakistan, and for what tenure?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Under Article 3 of P.O. 1 of 1983, the Mohtasib is appointed by the President for a fixed, non-extendable term of four years, and is ineligible for any extension or further government appointment.
Q. 4
Public Administration
Difficulty: Hard
(1 Mark)
Under Article 9 of P.O. 1 of 1983, which of the following matters is expressly EXCLUDED from the jurisdiction of the Wafaqi Mohtasib?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Article 9(1) bars the Ombudsman from investigating: (1) matters sub-judice before a court, (2) foreign affairs/treaties, and (3) matters relating to service, appointments, promotions, or pension of civil/armed forces personnel.
Q. 5
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Article 32 of P.O. 1 of 1983, any person aggrieved by a recommendation or finding of the Wafaqi Mohtasib may file a Representation to the:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Article 32 provides that any party aggrieved by a decision or order of the Mohtasib may prefer a Representation within thirty days to the President of Pakistan, whose decision is final.
Q. 6
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Which specialized federal ombudsman handles citizen grievances relating to tax maladministration by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Pakistan?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) was established under the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance 2000 to investigate maladministration, harassment, and procedural delays by tax officials of the FBR.
Q. 7
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
In administrative law, the doctrine of 'Ultra Vires' means that an administrative action is:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Ultra Vires ('beyond the powers') is a fundamental principle of administrative law: an act done by an administrative authority beyond the scope of statutory powers conferred upon it is null, void, and without legal effect.
Q. 8
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
The twin principles of Natural Justice ('Nemo Judex In Causa Sua' and 'Audi Alteram Partem') require that:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Natural justice demands: (1) Nemo Judex in Causa Sua (absence of personal, pecuniary, or subject-matter bias), and (2) Audi Alteram Partem (adequate notice and reasonable opportunity of hearing before an adverse order is passed).
Q. 9
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which extraordinary judicial writ commands a public authority to perform a mandatory statutory duty that it has failed or refused to do?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Mandamus ('we command') is issued by the High Court under Article 199(1)(a)(i) directing a person performing public functions to do that which he is required by law to do.
Q. 10
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Which judicial writ under Article 199 inquires by what legal warrant or authority a person holds or usurps a public office?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Quo Warranto ('by what authority') calls upon the holder of a public office to show under what legal authority of law he claims to hold that office.
Q. 11
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Which judicial writ under Article 199 is issued by a High Court to quash an administrative or quasi-judicial order passed without lawful authority or in excess of jurisdiction?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Certiorari is issued under Article 199(1)(a)(ii) declaring that any act done or proceeding taken by a public authority has been done without lawful authority and is of no legal effect.
Q. 12
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
What monumental structural change was introduced in Pakistan's civil service system by the 1973 Administrative Reforms under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The 1973 Reforms dismantled the elite CSP, eliminated constitutional guarantees (present in 1956/1962), created a uniform 22-grade pay structure, established common occupational groups, and allowed lateral entry.
Q. 13
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
How many All-Pakistan Unified Grades (Basic Pay Scales) were created under the 1973 Administrative Reforms?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The 1973 reforms abolished hundreds of legacy class divisions and created a single national unified grading structure consisting of 22 Basic Pay Scales (BPS 1 to 22).
Q. 14
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Which of the following occupational services is an 'All-Pakistan Service' common to both the Federation and the Provinces under Article 240 of the Constitution?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Under Article 240(a) and the All-Pakistan Services (Change in Nomenclature) Rules, PAS (formerly DMG) and PSP are All-Pakistan Services serving both federal and provincial governments.
Q. 15
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
The National Commission for Government Reforms (NCGR) set up in 2006 to recommend comprehensive restructuring of Pakistan's civil service was chaired by:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The NCGR (2006–2008) was headed by former State Bank Governor Dr. Ishrat Husain, producing a landmark reform blueprint on civil service recruitment, open competition, training linkages, and restructuring of ministries.
Q. 16
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Which earlier landmark civil service reform commission in Pakistan was headed by Chief Justice A.R. Cornelius (1959–1962)?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The 1959–1962 Pay and Services Commission chaired by Chief Justice A.R. Cornelius recommended abolishing the elite cadre dominance of the CSP, establishing equality among all public services, and standardizing pay scales.
Q. 17
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
What is the primary anti-corruption statute in Pakistan governing public servants, politicians, and holders of public office for misuse of power and disproportionate assets?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The National Accountability Ordinance 1999 (NAO 1999) establishes the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to eradicate corruption, misuse of authority, and corrupt practices across the public sector.
Q. 18
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 25 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, an accused person may resolve a corruption inquiry/case through:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 25 of NAO provides for Voluntary Return (VR) and Plea Bargain (PB), requiring return of all embezzled assets to the state, with PB carrying deemed conviction and disqualification from holding public office for 10 years.
Q. 19
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Act 1974, which specialized wing investigates corruption committed by federal government servants and public sector organizations?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The Anti-Corruption Wing of the FIA is mandated to investigate bribery, corruption, criminal breach of trust (Section 409 PPC), and misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 in federal departments.
Q. 20
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
In public administration ethics, what is a 'Conflict of Interest'?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
A conflict of interest arises when a civil servant is in a position to exploit an official capacity in some way for their personal, familial, or pecuniary benefit.
Q. 21
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964, a civil servant is strictly required to submit an annual declaration of:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Rule 12 of the Conduct Rules 1964 mandates that every government servant shall submit an annual declaration of assets, showing all assets (immovable and movable) acquired or disposed of during the year.
Q. 22
Public Administration
Difficulty: Hard
(1 Mark)
Under the Civil Servants (Directory Retirement from Service) Rules 2020, a civil servant who has completed 20 years of service may be retired by the competent authority if:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The Directory Retirement Rules 2020 empower the Federal Government to review the record of officers with 20+ years of service and compulsorily retire chronic underperformers, corrupt individuals, or twice-superseded officers.
Q. 23
Public Administration
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
What is the primary mechanism introduced in 2020 under the Task Force on Institutional Reforms to hold Federal Ministers and Secretaries accountable for delivery?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Under Dr. Ishrat Husain's reforms, the Prime Minister instituted bilateral 'Performance Agreements' with all federal ministries setting concrete goals, tracked quarterly by the Prime Minister's Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU).
Q. 24
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Which digital citizen feedback and complaints redressing platform was launched in 2018 in Pakistan under the Prime Minister's Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU)?
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Pakistan Citizen's Portal (PCP) is an integrated mobile grievance redressal system established under the PMDU to connect citizens with heads of administrative departments across federal and provincial domains.
Q. 25
Public Administration
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
In administrative ethics, what does 'Administrative Discretion' mean?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Administrative discretion is the flexibility granted by legislatures to administrators to make judgment calls and apply general statutory rules to specific unique real-world circumstances.
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