Daily Top-10 Current Affairs MCQs / News (April 01, 2022) for CSS, PMS

Table of Contents

6. PTI takes lead in second phase of KP local govt polls

• The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was leading in the second phase of the local bodies elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as 22 of its candidates were all set to win the slots of mayor and chairman of the city and tehsil councils.
• On the other hand, two persons were killed and several others injured in various incidents of poll-related violence.
• Polling was held for the slots of chairmen and mayors of 65 tehsil councils.
• According to early results of 50 tehsil councils that were available by late Thursday night, PTI appeared to be leading on a number of seats. However, results of the remaining 15 councils could not be obtained due to communication issues as these areas were mostly far-flung and mountainous

7. Revenue collection up 29.1pc to Rs4.4tr

• The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs4.382 trillion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (9MFY22), exceeding the target of Rs4.134tr by Rs248 billion, provisional data compiled by the tax body showed on March 31, 2022.
• Compared with the revenue collection of Rs3.394tr in the same period in 2020-21, 29.1 per cent growth was posted in July-March FY22. The growth will provide a cushion to the incumbent government for subsidising petroleum prices, reduce electricity prices and offer incentives in taxation to the IT sector and industries.
• The revenue collection in March fell short of target by Rs29bn to Rs575bn against Rs604bn projected for the same month. The revenue collection rose by 20.5pc to Rs575bn from last year`s Rs477bn

8. Russia accredits Taliban envoy, voices concern over militants

• Russia has accredited a diplomat from the Taliban to engage with the new Afghan government but remains concerned about the threat of Islamist groups spilling over into Russia via Central Asia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 31, 2022.
• Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan last year to try to reach a peace deal and curb violence between the Taliban and the then Afghan government.
• Russia has labelled the Taliban a `terrorist organisation` but has welcomed their members on numerous occasions for talks.
• Since Russia`s mediation efforts, the United States and its allies withdrew their troops from Afghanistan after 20 years there and the Taliban seized power in August as the US-backed government collapsed

9. Mum on rights abuses, Xi backs Afghanistan

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued strong backing for Afghanistan at a regional conference on March 31, 2022, while making no mention of human rights abuses by the country`s Taliban leaders.
• China`s foreign minister, meanwhile, led calls for the US to unfreeze Afghan assets held abroad and end sanctions on the government.
• Xi pledged Chinas support in a message to a gathering of representatives from Afghanistan, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in a central Chinese city, spotlighting Beijing`s aspirations to play a leading role in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces last August

10. Rejuvenated Pakistan overpower Australia to level ODI series

• It was no lopsided affair this time at the Gaddafi Stadium as charged spectators cheered Pakistan, a different-looking Pakistan, who finally recorded a win against the touring Australians on March 31, 2022.
• Khushdil Shah`s cameo (27 not out off 17 balls) revived the hosts` fortunes after the Aaron Finch-led Australia posted a massive 348-8 on a placid track after being put into bat again by Babar Azam.
• The six-wicket victory, which resulted in Pakistan`s biggest-ever chase in ODIs, levelled the high-profile series 1-1 with the third and final game scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.
• Pakistan`s effort in the end proved towering, which signifies the team played with a different mindset from what they competed in the series opener