As of March 2018, who was serving as the Prime Minister of Pakistan according to contemporary political developments?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on recent political history of Pakistan. Examinations frequently ask who held key positions such as president or prime minister during specific years, especially in neighbouring countries. Around 2017 and 2018, there were important changes in Pakistan, including the disqualification of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the appointment of a new prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, before the later rise of Imran Khan.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The reference time is March 2018.
• The post in question is the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
• The options list several prominent Pakistani leaders: Mamnoon Hussain, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Yousaf Raza Gillani, and Imran Khan.
• We assume knowledge of recent changes in Pakistani leadership.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is to distinguish between the office of president and prime minister, and to track the sequence of political events. Mamnoon Hussain served as president, not prime minister. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was removed from the office of prime minister by a court decision in 2017. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was then chosen as prime minister and held the post until the general elections in mid 2018, after which Imran Khan took office. Therefore, for March 2018, the correct name is Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2017. Step 2: Remember that after this disqualification, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the same party became the new prime minister. Step 3: Note that Pakistan held general elections later in 2018, after which Imran Khan became prime minister in August 2018. Step 4: Since the question specifically refers to March 2018, this falls into the period when Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was in office. Step 5: Among the options, select Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be performed by checking timelines of Pakistani political events in any reliable yearbook or news archive. These lists show that Nawaz Sharif's disqualification occurred in July 2017 and that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi took office shortly afterward. Imran Khan only took charge after the July 2018 elections and was sworn in the following month. Mamnoon Hussain is consistently listed as president during this phase, reinforcing that the person holding the prime minister post in March 2018 was Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mamnoon Hussain: He served as president of Pakistan, not as prime minister, during this period, so this choice is incorrect for the given office.
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif: He had already been disqualified by the Supreme Court in 2017 and was not prime minister in March 2018.
Yousaf Raza Gillani: He was an earlier prime minister from another political period before Nawaz Sharif's later tenure and does not match the specified time.

Imran Khan: Imran Khan became prime minister later in 2018 after general elections, not by March 2018, so this option is premature and wrong.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often misremember timelines and may assume that because Imran Khan is a very well known recent leader, he must have been in power in early 2018. Another pitfall is confusion between president and prime minister, especially when two names circulate in news together. Some candidates may also recall Nawaz Sharif as a major figure and forget the brief Abbasi period. To avoid mistakes, it is useful to memorise a simple chronological table of recent leaders and their terms.

Final Answer:
As of March 2018, the Prime Minister of Pakistan was Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.