Syllabus 2059
Syllabus 2059
Syllabus 2059
Cambridge O Level
Pakistan Studies 2059
Use this syllabus for exams in 2023.
Exams are available in the June and November series.
Version 1
Please check the syllabus page at www.cambridgeinternational.org/2059
to see if this syllabus is available in your administrative zone.
Changes to the syllabus for 2023
The latest syllabus is version 1, published September 2020.
There are no significant changes which affect teaching.
You must read the whole syllabus before planning your teaching programme.
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Why choose Cambridge International?
1.2 Why choose Cambridge O Level?
1.3 Why choose Cambridge O Level Pakistan Studies?
1.4 How can I find out more?
2. Teacher support............................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Support materials
2.2 Endorsed resources
2.3 Training
4. Assessment at a glance................................................................................................... 7
6. Syllabus content............................................................................................................. 11
Paper 1 The history and culture of Pakistan
Paper 2 The environment of Pakistan
8. Other information...........................................................................................................34
Introduction
1. Introduction
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learning resources.
Every year, nearly a million Cambridge learners from 10 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future
with the Cambridge Pathway.
Cambridge learners
Our mission is to provide educational benefit through provision of international programmes and
qualifications for school education and to be the world leader in this field. Together with schools, we
develop Cambridge learners who are:
• confident in working with information and ideas – their own and those of others
• responsible for themselves, responsive to and respectful of others
• reflective as learners, developing their ability to learn
• innovative and equipped for new and future challenges
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Our aim is to balance knowledge, understanding and skills in our programmes and qualifications to enable
students to become effective learners and to provide a solid foundation for their continuing educational
journey.
Through our professional development courses and our support materials for Cambridge O Levels, we
provide the tools to enable teachers to prepare students to the best of their ability and work with us in the
pursuit of excellence in education.
Cambridge O Levels are considered to be an excellent preparation for Cambridge International AS & A Levels,
the Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) Diploma, Cambridge Pre-U, and other
education programmes, such as the US Advanced Placement program and the International Baccalaureate
Diploma programme. Learn more about Cambridge O Levels at www.cambridgeinternational.org/olevel
Cambridge O Level Pakistan Studies is accepted by universities and employers as proof of an understanding
and knowledge of the country’s history, environment and development. The Cambridge O Level Pakistan
Studies syllabus encourages students to develop lifelong knowledge and skills, including:
• a balanced understanding of the heritage and history of Pakistan
• an awareness of the challenges and opportunities which Pakistan faces
• how to interpret and analyse a variety of sources of information to evaluate and draw conclusions.
Cambridge O Level Pakistan Studies provides a firm foundation for more advanced study in secondary
school and in higher education as well as valuable preparation for future employment in a wide range of
occupations and professions.
Cambridge O Level Pakistan Studies is one of the suite of area studies offered by Cambridge International.
Prior learning
Candidates beginning this course are not expected to have studied Pakistan Studies previously.
Progression
Candidates who are awarded grades A* to C in Cambridge O Level Pakistan Studies are well prepared to
follow courses leading to Cambridge International AS and A Levels in related subjects, or the equivalent.
2. Teacher support
For teachers at registered Cambridge schools a range of additional support materials for specific syllabuses
is available online from the School Support Hub. Go to www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
(username and password required). If you do not have access, speak to the School Support coordinator at
your school.
You can find resources to support this syllabus by clicking the Published resources link on the syllabus page
www.cambridgeinternational.org/2059
2.3 Training
We offer a range of support activities for teachers to ensure they have the relevant knowledge and skills to
deliver our qualifications. See www.cambridgeinternational.org/events for further information.
4. Assessment at a glance
Candidates take two compulsory components, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates will be eligible for grades
A* to E.
Components Weighting
Section B (50 marks) – candidates answer two questions from a choice of four.
and:
Candidates answer three questions (25 marks each) from a choice of five.
Each question:
• consists of four separate parts: (a), (b), (c) and (d); each part may be divided into
one or more sub-parts
• requires the ability to interpret and analyse resources in the question; there may be
diagrams, graphs, maps, photographs, tables and written material. Part (d) of each
question specifically assesses analysis skills.
• requires the evaluation of information.
Notes
1. All answers must be written in English
2. T iming guidelines
Candidates should spend approximately 30 minutes on each question in each paper. Within that,
candidates need to allocate time according to the value of the marks awarded in each part of each
question.
Availability
This syllabus is examined in the June and November examination series.
This syllabus is not available in all administrative zones. To find out about availability check the syllabus page
at www.cambridgeinternational.org/2059
Please note that Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) syllabuses are at the
same level.
AO2 Demonstrate an understanding of the past through explanation, interpretation, analysis and evaluation of:
• key concepts: causation, consequence, continuity, change and significance within an historical
context
• key features and characteristics of the periods studied and the relationships between them
AO3 Apply knowledge and understanding of physical and human environments and issues through
explanation, analysis and evaluation
AO4 Apply skills and interpret a variety of environmental and historical resources/sources
AO1 Recall, select, use and communicate knowledge 64% 50% 57%
and understanding
AO4 Apply skills and interpret a variety of environmental 10% 20% 15%
and historical resources/sources
6. Syllabus content
This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge and engage your
learners. Where appropriate you are responsible for selecting [texts,] [topics,] [subject contexts,] resources
and examples to support your learners’ study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age,
cultural background and learning context as well as complying with your school policies and local legal
requirements.]
The material within each section is inter-related. Different parts of individual exam questions may require
knowledge of more than one item within a section, and the demonstration of understanding and analysis
of these relationships. The importance of and the attention that needs to be given to each item in teaching
varies according to its significance and the amount of information available.
Key Question 2: What were the causes and consequences of the decline of the Mughal Empire?
Focus points: Specified content:
• How far was Aurangzeb responsible for the Internal Indian reasons for the decline of the Mughal
decline of the Mughal Empire? Empire:
• How far did Mughal weaknesses from 1707 • the impact of Aurangzeb’s policies on the
make decline inevitable? stability of the Mughal Empire
• What role did the East India Company play in • the effectiveness of his successors as rulers
the decline of the Empire? • problems of controlling the Empire
• How successful was British expansion in the • the rise of the Maratha and Sikh empires.
subcontinent to 1857?
Key Question 3: What were the causes and consequences of the War of Independence 1857–58?
Focus points: Specified content:
• What were the long-term causes of the War? • the immediate and underlying causes of the War
• What were the immediate causes of the War? • the attitude of Bahadur Shah Zafar
• Why was independence not achieved? • the course of the War, with particular reference
• What were the immediate consequences of to the roles played by the Muslim rulers and
the War? populations of what is now Pakistan
• reasons for failure
• an assessment of the short-term impact of the
War on Muslims in the subcontinent
• British reaction during and immediately after
the War (including the major constitutional,
educational and administrative reforms which
followed).
Key Question 4: How important was the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to the development of the
Pakistan Movement during the 19th century?
Focus points: Specified content:
• What was his contribution to education, • his contribution to the education of Muslims and
politics and religion? the revitalisation of their national consciousness:
• How important was his ‘Two-Nation’ Theory? an overview of his main educational works and
their importance
• What was the Hindi–Urdu Controversy?
• an understanding of his social and political
• How successful was the Aligarh Movement?
theory, and of its origins
• the impact of his work on Muslims and the
western world
• his relations with the British and the ulama
• the reasons for the foundation of Aligarh College
• his role in the Indian National Congress and the
Muslim League
• the meaning and origin of his ‘Two-Nation’
Theory and the Hindi–Urdu Controversy.
Key Question 5: To what extent have Urdu and regional languages contributed to the cultural
development of Pakistan since 1947?
Focus points: Specified content:
• Why did Urdu become the national language? • the importance of Urdu and the reasons for its
• How successful has the promotion of regional choice as the national language of Pakistan
languages been since 1947? • the advantages and disadvantages of Urdu as the
national language
• the promotion of provincial languages (Balochi,
Punjabi, Pushto, Sindhi).
Key Question 7: How successful was the Khilafat Movement in advancing the cause of the Pakistan
Movement?
Focus points: Specified content:
• What were the origins, aims and main • reasons for the rise of the Movement
features of the Khilafat Movement? • the objectives of the Khilafat Conference, 1918
• Why did the Khilafat Movement fail? • the Khilafat Conferences and delegations to
England, 1919–21, and reasons for failure
• the causes, course and reasons for failure of the
Hijrat Movement
• Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement
• reasons for the failure of the Khilafat Movement
• the impact of the Khilafat and Hijrat Movements
on Muslims in the subcontinent.
Key Question 8: How successful was the Pakistan Movement in the years 1927 to 1939?
Focus points: Specified content:
• Why did Jinnah produce his 14 Points of • the Simon Commission, 1927–1930
1929? • the Nehru Report, 1928
• How successful were the three Round Table • Jinnah’s 14 Points, 1929
Conferences of 1930–32?
• Allama Iqbal’s Allahabad address, 1930
• How important was the Government of India
• the Round Table Conferences, 1930–32
Act, 1935?
• the Communal Award of 1932
• Why was Congress Rule (1937–39) unpopular
with many Muslims? • Rahmat Ali and the Pakistan National Movement,
1933
• the Government of India Act, 1935
• the 1937 elections and their significance to the
Muslim League and Congress
• Congress rule, 1937–39, its significance to the
Pakistan Movement and the ‘Day of Deliverance’,
1939.
Key Question 9: How successful were attempts to find solutions to the problems facing the
subcontinent in the years 1940 to 1947?
Focus points: Specified content:
• How successful were the meetings held • the Second World War (1939–45) in relation to
during World War II to agree the future of the India and the ‘Quit India’ Movement
subcontinent? • the Pakistan Resolution, 1940
• How did the success of the Muslim League • the Cripps Mission, 1942
in the 1945–46 elections lead to changes in
• the Gandhi–Jinnah talks, 1944
British attempts to solve the problems of the
subcontinent? • Lord Wavell and the Simla Conference, 1945
• the elections of 1945–46 in India, reasons for
Muslim League success and the consequences
thereof
• the Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946
• Direct Action Day, 1946
• the June 3 Plan, 1947
• the Radcliffe Commission and Award, 1947
• the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Key Question 10: How important were the contributions of Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and Rahmat Ali to the
success of the Pakistan Movement to 1947?
Focus point: Specified content:
• How important were Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and Jinnah as an advocate of Hindu–Muslim unity:
Rahmat Ali to the Pakistan Movement? • his role in the Muslim League, the Pakistan
Movement and as negotiator with the British
• his relations with Gandhi, Nehru and the All-India
Congress.
Allama Iqbal:
• views on Hindu–Muslim future as separate
nations and the Allahabad address, 1930.
Rahmat Ali:
• views on a separate Muslim homeland, his
pamphlet ‘Now or Never’, 1933, and the name
‘Pakistan’
• differences between his views and those of
Allama Iqbal.
Key Question 12: How far did Pakistan achieve stability following the death of Jinnah?
Focus points: Specified content:
• What were the main achievements of the • Khwaja Nazimuddin
various ministries in the years 1948–58? • Liaquat Ali Khan
• What were the achievements of the ‘Decade • Ghulam Muhammad
of Progress’, 1958–69?
• Iskander Mirza
• What attempts were made to establish a new
• Muhammad Ayub Khan and the ‘Decade of
constitution in the years 1949–73?
Progress’
• Yahya Khan
(Candidates will need to compare the more
significant achievements of various ministries and
discuss main features of their domestic reforms
and foreign policies. See also below under Key
Question 16.)
• the origin, reasons and principles of the 1949
Objectives Resolution, reasons for its adoption
by the Constituent Assembly and details of its
Islamic provisions
• later constitutional changes (including the
reasons for and the principles on which they
were based), with particular reference to
Islamic provisions in the 1956, 1962 and 1973
Constitutions.
Key Question 13: Why did East Pakistan seek and then form the independent state of Bangladesh?
Focus points: Specified content:
• Why did East Pakistan seek independence • tensions between East and West Pakistan
from West Pakistan? from 1947 (including earlier problems over the
• What roles did Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman and Partition of Bengal)
the Awami League play in the independence • the rise of the Awami League
movement? • Sheikh Mujib and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
• How did Bangladesh achieve independence • the main features of Sheikh Mujib’s Six Points,
in 1971? reasons for their rejection
• outline of the subsequent war, including the role
of India.
(See also below under Key Question 16.)
Key Question 14: How successful was Pakistan in the twenty years following the ‘Decade of Progress’?
Focus points: Specified content:
• How successful were the policies of Zulfikar Zulfikar Ali Bhutto:
Ali Bhutto, 1971–77? • controlling the army
• Why was Bhutto executed in 1978? • the Simla Agreement, 1972
• How successful were the policies of • a new constitution, 1973
Zia-ul-Haq, 1977–88?
• industrial, agricultural, education, health, social
• Why was he assassinated? and administrative reforms
• his overthrow and execution. (See also below
under Key Question 16).
Zia-ul-Haq:
• the Islamisation programme
• overview of the constitutional and Islamic legal
position of women and ethnic and religious
minorities
• law and government, elections and issues of
martial law and the Eighth Amendment
• problems facing Zia, his assassination
• the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 1979. (See
also below under key Question 16).
Key Question 15: How effective were Pakistan’s governments in the final decade of the 20th century?
Focus points: Specified content:
• How successful were the policies of Bhutto, 1988–90:
Benazir Bhutto, 1988–90, 1993–96? • conflict with Nawaz Sharif and growth of separatist
• How successful were the policies of movements
Nawaz Sharif, 1990–93, 1997–99? • difference with President Ishaq over judicial
• Why did General Musharraf take power in appointment
1999? • opposition ‘no confidence’ motion – failure, but
damaging effects
• inflation and unemployment
• drug trafficking
• use of family members in government
• problems in Kashmir
• her dismissal
Bhutto, 1993–96:
• Kashmir tensions
• opposition demonstrations and prosecution of
opposition members
• terrorism/bombings
• banking scandal
• unemployment/inflation
• IMF concerns following devaluation of the Pakistan
rupee
• balance of payments problems
• unrest in the army
• dismissal of the Chief Minister of Punjab
• Bhutto’s dismissal
Sharif:
• growth of crime and use of drugs
• privatisation policy encouraged profiteering
• BCCI criticised for corruption
• failure of Co-operative Societies in Punjab
• loss of US aid following Pakistan’s criticisms during
the Gulf War
• clashes in Kashmir
• overthrow of Sharif and imposition of military rule.
(See also below under Key Question 16.)
Key Question 16: How important has Pakistan’s role been in world affairs since 1947?
The study of Pakistan’s international relations with other countries should cover economic, social, political
and religious aspects. Candidates should study the main features of Pakistan’s relations with other
countries (listed below), together with the aims of Pakistan’s foreign policy and emerging nuclear status.
Focus points: Specified content:
• How has Pakistan developed as a nuclear Pakistan – a nuclear power:
power? • nuclear weapons programme, established 1972
• How successful has Pakistan been in • Indian nuclear test, 1974
its relations with Bangladesh, India,
• nuclear testing race with India
Afghanistan, Iran, China, the USSR/
Russia, the USA, the UK and the • Pakistan nuclear tests, 1987
Commonwealth, and the United Nations? • US concerns
(See also above under Key Questions • Pakistan nuclear tests, 1998
11–15) • refusals to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Relations with Bangladesh:
• relations from 1971, residual problems from
secession, e.g. repatriation and indemnity
Relations with India:
• problems and tensions from 1947 (including Jammu
and Kashmir, the creation of Bangladesh, nuclear
weapons, issues of trade)
• attempts to develop more friendly relations
Relations with Afghanistan:
• issues related to Pakhtoonistan and Tribal Territory
• Daud Khan, the Pakhtoonistan issue and Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto
• the Soviet invasion and its impact on Pakistan’s
foreign policy in respect of the Soviet Union, the USA
and Afghanistan
• the post-Soviet legacy affecting Pakistan (especially
refugees, drugs, arms, smuggling, terrorism)
Relations with Iran:
• relations prior to and after Iran’s Islamic Revolution,
1979
• trade, political and religious links
• impact of the Islamic Revolution on Pakistan’s
bilateral relations
• Iran’s role in the Regional Cooperation for
Development (RCD)
Teachers are advised to plan their scheme of work to produce as much cohesion as possible between the
topics in sections 1–8. In this way, candidates will achieve not only a sound knowledge of each topic but,
equally important, an understanding of the inter-relationships which exist between them.
Subject-specific vocabulary
Teachers should ensure that their candidates acquire, and are able to use, the specialist vocabulary required
for this subject. Attention must be paid to the definition of terms specified in the syllabus.
Use of resources
Whenever possible, teaching should incorporate the use of diagrams, graphs, statistical tables, maps,
newspaper articles and other written material, photographs and the many resources available via the
internet. Teachers should demonstrate to their candidates the importance of such resources in providing
information about the environment of Pakistan, and help the candidates to use them to develop their
understanding.
3. Power
a) Sources
Candidates should be able to:
• describe, with the help of a simple diagram for each method, how non-renewable fuels (coal, crude oil
and natural gas) are extracted:
– coal as obtained by open cast, adit and shaft mining methods
– natural gas and crude oil obtained by exploration and drilling
• understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources of electricity
• explain (briefly) how electricity can be generated from renewable resources (hydel, wind, solar, and
other possibilities such as wave, tidal, biofuels, geothermal)
• understand the importance of power sources for development.
b) Non-renewables
Candidates should be able to:
• describe the quality and the amount of coal available from within Pakistan and how long reserves are
likely to last, and also describe the types of coal which have to be imported for industrial purposes
• describe how coal both produced in Pakistan and imported is transported to the end users
• state how much natural gas is produced by Pakistan, and how long reserves are likely to last
• describe the extent of the natural gas pipeline network in Pakistan and explain how natural gas can be
taken to those parts of Pakistan away from the pipelines, and the limitations of doing this
• state how much oil is produced by Pakistan, how long reserves will last and how much oil is imported,
and explain why it is necessary to import large amounts of oil
• describe the extent of the oil pipeline network in Pakistan and describe the other methods that are
used to transport both imported oil and oil produced in Pakistan
• understand that electricity can be generated in a variety of ways. In thermal power stations by burning
coal, oil, gas and waste, or with nuclear energy; or with renewable sources e.g. water (including
hydel), the wind and the sun
• understand that non-renewable power sources are running out, and are increasing in price.
c) Renewables
Candidates should be able to:
• explain and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of producing
electricity from renewable resources (generated by water, wind, wave and sun)
• understand the physical and human conditions that favour the development of multi-purpose hydel
schemes
• state and explain the factors, both physical and human, which promote or hinder the availability of
electricity and other power resources listed, including the feasibility of small-scale, renewable power
generation
• explain why the supply of electricity is not sufficient or reliable to develop many parts of Pakistan.
6. Trade
a) Major exports and imports
Candidates should be able to:
• name the main exports and imports
• describe the changes in the types/amounts/value of goods exported and imported in recent years
• know and understand the meaning of GNP and GDP and the difference between them
• explain the effect of changing trends in exports and imports on Pakistan’s balance of trade and
economy.
b) Pakistan’s trading partners
Candidates should be able to:
• name and locate Pakistan’s main trading partners, and name the goods Pakistan exported to them or
imported from them
• understand the factors which may promote or hinder trade with other countries, and explain why it
is difficult for Pakistan as a developing country to maintain or increase its share of trade with other
countries
• understand the factors that may promote and limit trade, including trading blocs, trade barriers and
currency exchange rates.
This glossary of terms for Paper 2: The Environment of Pakistan should prove helpful to teachers and
candidates as a guide, although it is not exhaustive and the descriptions of meanings have been kept brief.
Candidates should appreciate that the meaning of a term must depend in part on its context. They should
also note that the number of marks allocated for any part of a question is a guide to the depth of treatment
required for the answer.
Describe Write about what something is like or where it is. Describe may be used in
questions about resources (on a figure, a table, etc.) in the question paper
(e.g. describe the trend of a graph, the location of an industry on a map, etc.).
It may also be used when you need to describe something from memory
(e.g. describe a doab, etc.).
Describe is often linked with other command words such as name and describe
(name the feature and say what it is like), describe and explain (write about what
it is like and give reasons for …).
Describe the Write about the location of the required feature(s) as shown on the map(s)
distribution provided, by referring to:
– their relationship to other features shown, e.g. the provinces and rivers
– their density in particular areas.
Describe the pattern of Write about the location of the required feature(s) as shown on the map(s)
provided, by referring to particular arrangements such as nucleated, linear,
parallel, even spacing, etc. and, where relevant, locating the patterns in relation
to the provinces and rivers, or any other features shown on the map(s) provided.
Draw Make a sketch showing the required features. Draw may be extended to draw a
labelled diagram (draw a diagram with written notes to identify its features).
Explain / account for / Show with reasons why something occurs or happens.
give reasons for
Evaluate Consider the evidence for and against a proposal, and come to a judgement.
Giving your views / Explain what you think about something.
comment on
How Explain in what way / to what extent / by what means / methods something
happens.
Identify Pick out something from information given in text or on a map / diagram / etc.
Illustrating your Describe / explain with the help of specific examples or diagrams. The
answer, describe / command may be extended to require a diagram: Illustrate your answer with a
explain labelled diagram.
Insert / label Place specific names or details on a map / diagram / etc. in response to a
particular requirement.
Justify Explain why you chose something or why you think in a certain way about an
issue.
List Identify and name a number of features to meet a particular purpose.
Locate Find where something is placed or state where something is found or mark it on
a map or diagram.
Name State or specify or identify. Give the word or words by which a specific feature
is known or give examples which illustrate a particular feature.
Predict Use your own knowledge and understanding to explain what might happen
next, and justify your reasoning. Probably information will be provided to help
you to come to a decision.
Refer to /with Write an answer which uses some of the ideas provided on a map / photograph
reference to / diagram / etc. or other additional material such as a case study.
State Refer to an aspect of a particular feature by a short statement or by a few words
or by a single word.
Study Look carefully at; usually at one of the resources (a figure, a table, etc.) in the
question paper.
Suggest Explain your ideas on or your knowledge about the given topic. It is often
coupled with why; this requires a statement or an explanatory statement
referring to one or more particular feature(s).
To what extent Give the reasons for and against the proposal in the question and justify.
Use / using the Base your answer on the information you have been given.
information provided
With the help of Write an answer which uses some / all of the information provided, as well as
information additional information from your own knowledge.
What What is used to form a question concerned with the selection of ideas / details /
factors.
What differences are Use comparative statements to state the differences involved or the changes
that have occurred or are shown between two points on a map / diagram / etc.
Complete descriptions of the two things are not required.
Where State at what place / to what place / from what place.
Why Explain the cause(s) of or the reason(s) for or the consequence(s) of something.
8. Other information
The standard assessment arrangements may present barriers for candidates with impairments. Where a
candidate is eligible, we may be able to make arrangements to enable that candidate to access assessments
and receive recognition of their attainment. We do not agree access arrangements if they give candidates an
unfair advantage over others or if they compromise the standards being assessed.
Candidates who are unable to access the assessment of any component may be eligible to receive an award
based on the parts of the assessment they have taken.
Language
This syllabus and the associated assessment materials are available in English only.
Making entries
Exams officers are responsible for submitting entries to Cambridge International. We encourage them to
work closely with you to make sure they enter the right number of candidates for the right combination of
syllabus components. Entry option codes and instructions for submitting entries are in the Cambridge Guide
to Making Entries. Your exams officer has a copy of this guide.
Exam administration
To keep our exams secure, we produce question papers for different areas of the world, known as
‘administrative zones’. We allocate all Cambridge schools to one administrative zone determined by their
location. Each zone has a specific timetable. Some of our syllabuses offer candidates different assessment
options. An entry option code is used to identify the components the candidate will take relevant to the
administrative zone and the available assessment options.
Retakes
Candidates can retake the whole qualification as many times as they want to. This is a linear qualification so
candidates cannot re-sit individual components.