fa-newspaper Current Affairs

Explanation: BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In 2024, the group expanded significantly, adding new members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and UAE.

Explanation: The IMF is headquartered in Washington D.C., USA. It was established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference and currently has 190 member countries.

Explanation: NATO's headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was established in 1949. It currently has 32 member states.

Explanation: The United Nations has 193 member states. The most recently admitted member was South Sudan in 2011. The Vatican and Palestine are observer states.

Explanation: António Guterres of Portugal has been the United Nations Secretary-General since January 2017. He was re-elected for a second term starting 2022, continuing in 2026.

Explanation: RAAST is Pakistan's first instant digital payment system, launched by the State Bank of Pakistan in 2021. It enables instant, free digital transactions between banks and mobile wallets.

Explanation: Gwadar Port in Balochistan is being developed with major Chinese investment under CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). It is a key component of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Explanation: According to the 2023 census, Pakistan's population was officially recorded at approximately 241.49 million, making it the fifth most populous country in the world.

Explanation: Pakistan became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in June 2017 at the Astana Summit, alongside India. It had been an observer state since 2005.

Explanation: General Syed Asim Munir was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan in November 2022 and continues to serve in 2026.