April 2024 Edition
Start April Quiz
April 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2601
The ex-depot price of petrol was fixed at which of the following rates on April 11, 2026?
(a) Rs450.15 per litre
(b) Rs385.54 per litre
(c) Rs366.58 per litre
(d) Rs369.72 per litre
Explanation: Following the Rs12 reduction, the new price for petrol was fixed at Rs366.58 per litre. The other values correspond to the new prices for HSD, kerosene, and light diesel oil. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990666/diesel-price-cut-by-rs135-petrol-sees-drop-of-rs12, 11 Apr 2026]
#2602
Consider the following statements about the fuel price revision on April 11, 2026: 1. The reduction in diesel prices was partially attributed to a correction in the pricing formula that previously benefited local refineries. 2. High-speed diesel is considered an inflationary item due to its extensive use in freight transportation. 3. The government reduced the petroleum levy on petrol to provide immediate relief to consumers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct as they reflect the pricing formula correction and the inflationary nature of diesel. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government explicitly stated that tax rates, including the petroleum levy, were kept unchanged. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990666/diesel-price-cut-by-rs135-petrol-sees-drop-of-rs12, 11 Apr 2026]
#2603
Which Iranian official stated on April 20, 2026, that Tehran had yet to decide on its participation in the next round of talks?
(a) Esmaeil Baqaei
(b) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(c) Ali Khamenei
(d) None of these
Explanation: Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei explicitly stated that no decision had been made regarding the next round of negotiations. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is the parliament speaker who also commented on the lack of trust. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993458/us-delegation-expected-in-islamabad-but-uncertainty-prevails-over-talks-amid-mixed-signals-from-iran, 20 Apr 2026]
#2604
Consider the following statements about the US-Iran conflict as of April 19, 2026: 1. The US-Israeli strikes on Iran commenced on February 28, 2026. 2. President Trump threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges if the proposed deal is rejected. 3. The Strait of Hormuz was closed by Iran in response to the US blockade of Iranian ports. Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually accurate based on the report: the strikes began on February 28, the threat to infrastructure was explicitly made by President Trump, and Iran cited the US blockade as the reason for closing the Strait of Hormuz. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993224/trump-says-us-representatives-heading-to-islamabad-will-be-there-tomorrow-evening-for-negotiations-with-iran, 19 Apr 2026]
#2605
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. The first round of direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad concluded with a formal peace agreement. 2. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding regional stability. 3. The hostilities between the US and Iran were initially triggered by strikes occurring on February 28, 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the first round of talks in Islamabad ended without a formal agreement, though it also avoided a breakdown. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate based on the reported diplomatic timeline. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993250/in-45-minute-phone-call-with-pezeshkian-pm-shehbaz-reaffirms-pakistans-commitment-to-advancing-regional-peace, 19 Apr 2026]
#2606
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in Islamabad in April 2026: 1. The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad on April 24, 2026. 2. The US delegation was sent to Pakistan to engage in direct talks with Iranian representatives. 3. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the Iranian delegation to Islamabad. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 and 3 are factually correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the talks were described as indirect, with Pakistan serving as the mediator, rather than direct talks between the two parties. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#2607
Which location served as the venue for the US-Iran peace talks held in April 2026?
(a) Prime Minister House
(b) Parliament House
(c) Foreign Office
(d) Serena Hotel
Explanation: The Iranian delegation was reported to be conferring at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad during the talks. The other locations are common government buildings but were not the site of the negotiations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990743/stepping-stone-toward-durable-peace-pm-shehbaz-meets-us-vp-vance-as-islamabad-talks-commence, 11 Apr 2026]
#2608
Besides Islamabad, which other capitals were included in the regional tour of the Iranian Foreign Minister in April 2026?
(a) Baghdad and Damascus
(b) Beijing and Ankara
(c) Doha and Riyadh
(d) Muscat and Moscow
Explanation: The Iranian Foreign Minister's regional tour included visits to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow to discuss bilateral and regional developments. Other options represent regional capitals not mentioned in the context of this specific diplomatic tour. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#2609
Which of the following is NOT a term used by the Pakistani Foreign Office to describe the events at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on April 21, 2026?
(a) Reprehensible
(b) Legitimate security operation
(c) Provocative steps
(d) Blatant violation of international law
Explanation: The Foreign Office condemned the acts as reprehensible and a violation of international law. It did not characterize the event as a legitimate security operation, making the incorrect description. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993856/reprehensible-pakistan-condemns-storming-of-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-raising-of-israeli-flag-in-its-courtyard, 21 Apr 2026]
#2610
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic visit in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) Pakistan acted as a mediator between the Iranian and American delegations.
(b) The Iranian Foreign Minister visited Islamabad to discuss regional peace and stability.
(c) The Iranian delegation confirmed that direct meetings with the US were planned.
(d) The US officials were expected to report back to the White House after their engagements.
Explanation: The Iranian foreign ministry explicitly stated that no direct meetings were planned between the Iranian and US delegations. Therefore, the statement claiming such meetings were planned is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#2611
Who led the Iranian delegation that arrived in Islamabad on April 24, 2026?
(a) Esmaeil Baqaei
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(d) None of these
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister of Iran who led the delegation to Islamabad. Esmaeil Baqaei is the spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, not the head of the delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#2612
Through which gate did the illegal settlers enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on April 21, 2026?
(a) Jaffa Gate
(b) Mughrabi Gate
(c) Damascus Gate
(d) None of these
Explanation: The report confirms that the settlers forced their way into the site through the Mughrabi Gate under police protection. Other gates listed are historical entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem but were not the site of this specific breach. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993856/reprehensible-pakistan-condemns-storming-of-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-raising-of-israeli-flag-in-its-courtyard, 21 Apr 2026]
#2613
Which US officials were reported to be traveling to Pakistan for talks in April 2026?
(a) Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
(b) Antony Blinken and William Burns
(c) Jake Sullivan and Brett McGurk
(d) None of these
Explanation: The White House confirmed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner were dispatched to Pakistan. The other names are prominent US officials but were not the envoys mentioned in this specific diplomatic mission. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#2614
What was the peak price per litre reached by high-speed diesel (HSD) on April 3, 2026?
(a) Rs335.86
(b) Rs458.40
(c) Rs311.47
(d) Rs520.35
Explanation: On April 3, 2026, HSD prices reached a peak of Rs520.35 per litre. The other figures represent different historical price points for either petrol or diesel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011069/govt-keeps-petrol-diesel-prices-unchanged-till-further-orders, 26 Jun 2026]
#2615
Which fiscal tool did the Prime Minister utilize to reduce the petrol price to Rs378 per litre following the April 2026 price hike?
(a) General sales tax
(b) Petroleum levy
(c) Customs duty
(d) Excise duty
Explanation: The government slashed the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre to provide immediate relief to consumers. This is a common fiscal instrument used to adjust the final ex-depot price of fuel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011069/govt-keeps-petrol-diesel-prices-unchanged-till-further-orders, 26 Jun 2026]
#2616
Which military measure did the United States maintain despite the extension of the ceasefire in April 2026?
(a) The deployment of ground troops to the border
(b) A total air exclusion zone over Tehran
(c) A naval blockade of Iranian ports
(d) The imposition of a complete telecommunications blackout
Explanation: While the ceasefire was extended to allow for diplomatic negotiations, the United States explicitly stated that the naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place. This distinguishes the ceasefire from a total cessation of all hostile military posturing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#2617
Who requested the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire from President Donald Trump in April 2026?
(a) Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir
(b) Ishaq Dar and Natalie Baker
(c) Attaullah Tarar and JD Vance
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir formally requested the extension to facilitate ongoing diplomatic efforts. The request was acknowledged by President Trump on his social media platform. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#2618
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic developments in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The original ceasefire agreement was brokered by Pakistan.
(b) President Trump announced the ceasefire extension on his Truth Social platform.
(c) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly thanked President Trump for the extension.
(d) The United States immediately lifted the naval blockade upon announcing the ceasefire extension.
Explanation: The statement that the naval blockade was lifted is incorrect, as the United States explicitly maintained the blockade despite the ceasefire extension. The other three statements are factually accurate regarding the events of April 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#2619
Consider the following statements about the maritime security situation reported in April 2026: 1. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is coordinating with the Foreign Office to address the hijacking. 2. The hijacked tanker 'Owner 25' was carrying a crew that included an Indonesian captain. 3. The hijacking incident occurred on April 24, 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are factually correct based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the hijacking occurred on April 21, 2026, not April 24, which was the date the Minister sought the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994748/minister-seeks-details-on-reports-of-hijacking-of-tanker-with-pakistani-crew-near-somali-coast, 24 Apr 2026]
#2620
Who is the current Foreign Minister of Iran who visited Pakistan in April 2026?
(a) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(b) Mohammad Javad Zarif
(c) Abbas Araghchi
(d) Ali Bagheri Kani
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian Foreign Minister who conducted the diplomatic visits to Pakistan in April 2026. The other individuals listed are former or alternative Iranian officials not serving in this capacity during the specified event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995258/irans-araghchi-visits-pakistan-for-2nd-time-in-two-days-envoy-says-trip-undertaken-to-discuss-regional-developments, 26 Apr 2026]