General Knowledge
What the General Knowledge section tests
This is a breadth paper: world geography, international organisations, Pakistan's neighbours, capitals, currencies, major conflicts, and recent developments. Because current affairs move, learn the structure of organisations and verified map facts rather than memorising headlines alone.
Core rules
- The UN was founded in 1945; its headquarters is in New York. The Security Council has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States - each with veto power.
- The General Assembly has one state, one vote; its resolutions are generally non-binding.
- SAARC was founded in 1985; its secretariat is in Kathmandu.
- The OIC secretariat is in Jeddah; the IMF and World Bank are headquartered in Washington, DC.
- The ICJ hears disputes between states; the ICC tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Worked example
A draft resolution criticises a permanent member. Which UN body can block it? Reasoning: only the Security Council has permanent members with veto power. A negative vote by any one of the five permanent members defeats a substantive draft, even if the other 14 members support it. The General Assembly cannot veto, although it can pass non-binding resolutions.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating a General Assembly resolution as legally binding on states.
- Confusing the ICJ with the ICC.
- Mixing SAARC's headquarters with ASEAN's (Jakarta).
- Assuming the veto applies in the General Assembly.
- Relying on unverified social-media claims about current office-holders; verify the institution and date.