O Level Pakistan Studies 2059 Paper 12, May/June 2026

‘peace at home’

‘peace abroad’

‘resolve differences with India’

‘reduce tensions / bring peace to both areas / the Middle East (1) and Vietnam’ (1)

‘use of science and technology to bring peace / prosperity’ (1)

Level 3 (4–5 marks) Supported valid inference(s): one valid inference supported by a surface feature from source B [4]; additional valid inference(s) supported by surface feature(s) from source B or one valid inference supported by a surface feature from source B and contextual knowledge [5]. Level 2 (2–3 marks) Unsupported valid inference(s): one unsupported valid inference [2]; additional unsupported valid inference(s) [3]. Level 1 (1 mark) Identifies a surface feature: Any correct surface feature taken from source B [1]. Level 0 (0 marks) No creditable response.

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.

Level 5 (10 marks) Explains with evaluation/ judgement; Level 4 (7–9 marks) Explanation of both sides of the issue; Level 3 (4–6 marks) Explanation of one-side of the issue; Level 2 (2–3 marks) Identification/ description of the issue; Level 1 (1 mark) General answer; Level 0 (0 marks) No creditable response.

the Marathas fought against Mughal armies

Aurangzeb was unable to defeat them

they were known for their skills as guerrilla fighters

they were led by Shivaji

in 1737 (1) they defeated a Mughal army (1) outside Delhi (1) which they then occupied until 1760 (1)

the Marathas replaced the Mughals as the most powerful force on the subcontinent at that time

they were defeated by Afghans (1) led by Ahmad Shah Abdali/ Durrani (1) in 1761 (1) at Panipat (1)

in 1818 (1), the Marathas were defeated by British forces (1) and forced to accept British control (1)

Ranjit Singh (1) defeated the Marathas in 1799 (1) in Lahore (1)

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 2.

Congress won most of the seats available

Congress won absolute majorities in 5 provinces (1) and were the largest single party in 4 others (1)

Congress won 711 seats (1) out of 1585 (1)

Congress formed ministries in 8 provinces

it was a great disappointment for the Muslim community

Muslims won only 109 seats out of 482 (1) that were reserved for them (1)

Muslims won only 1 seat (1) in the Punjab (1) out of 86 (1)

the Muslim League realised it had to improve their organisation, image and planning

they identified that their support lay in areas where Muslims were in a minority

the election showed that Muslims needed to be prepared next time

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 2.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1) signed the Simla Agreement with Indira Gandhi (1)

she agreed to return 93000 (1) prisoners of war (1) in a return for a promise from Pakistan that Kashmir would be discussed directly with India (1) and not with others e.g. United Nations. (1)

it established the Line of Control (LOC) (1)

it increased Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s popularity in Pakistan (1), his international reputation was enhanced (1) and he did not give up the claim that Pakistan spoke for Kashmir (1)

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 2.

positive reactions: some people were pleased/happy/welcomed a change of leader (1) as: they saw General Musharraf as a strong leader (1); they believed he would stabilise the economy (1); they felt previous governments had been unable to solve domestic problems (1)

negative reactions: some people were shocked/ disappointed/protested at the change of leader (1) as: they were supporters of Nawaz Sharif (1); an elected government was removed/military rule returned (1); they were concerned over possible restrictions e.g. to the media (1)

supporting detail for reaction 1

supporting detail for reaction 2

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.

Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 2.