April 2024 Edition
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April 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2841
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]
#2842
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]
#2843
Which of the following is NOT a concern raised by the foreign ministers in their April 23, 2026, joint statement?
(a) The formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
(b) The escalation of settler violence in the West Bank
(c) The acceleration of illegal settlement activity
(d) The incursions by extremist ministers into Al-Aqsa Mosque
Explanation: The statement focuses on rejecting attempts to alter the status quo and condemning illegal settlements and violence; it does not mention or recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In fact, the statement explicitly rejects Israeli sovereignty over the territory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994444/pakistan-7-other-muslim-nations-reject-attempts-to-alter-historic-legal-status-quo-in-jerusalem-at-its-holy-sites, 23 Apr 2026]
#2844
Who is the current spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry who acknowledged Pakistan's mediation efforts on April 22, 2026?
(a) Esmaeil Baqaei
(b) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(c) Ali Bagheri Kani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Esmaeil Baqaei is the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson who publicly expressed gratitude for Pakistan's diplomatic initiatives. The other names are prominent Iranian officials but do not hold this specific role in the context of the 2026 events. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994127/iran-appreciates-pakistans-efforts-to-mediate-between-tehran-and-washington, 22 Apr 2026]
#2845
Which Pakistani official confirmed the ceasefire deadline as 4:50am PST on April 22, 2026?
(a) Asim Munir
(b) Shehbaz Sharif
(c) Attaullah Tarar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar provided the specific timing for the ceasefire deadline. While Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif were involved in the diplomatic requests to the US, they did not provide this specific technical briefing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994127/iran-appreciates-pakistans-efforts-to-mediate-between-tehran-and-washington, 22 Apr 2026]
#2846
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]
#2847
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]
#2848
Consider the following statements about the joint statement issued on April 23, 2026: 1. The ministers condemned the raising of the Israeli flag within the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque. 2. The statement cited the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding illegal settlements. 3. The ministers declared that the Al-Aqsa compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. 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: All three statements are factually accurate based on the joint statement. The ministers condemned the flag-raising, referenced the 2024 ICJ advisory opinion, and reiterated the exclusive status of the site for Muslim worship. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994444/pakistan-7-other-muslim-nations-reject-attempts-to-alter-historic-legal-status-quo-in-jerusalem-at-its-holy-sites, 23 Apr 2026]
#2849
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]
#2850
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]
#2851
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]
#2852
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]
#2853
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]
#2854
Which of the following Apple models remained stable with no change in valuation between the January ruling and the April 2026 ruling?
(a) iPhone 15 Pro Max
(b) iPhone XS Max
(c) iPhone SE 2
(d) iPhone 13
Explanation: The iPhone XS Max and the iPhone SE 3 were identified as the most stable models, showing no change in valuation between the two rulings. Other models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone SE 2 experienced varying degrees of upward adjustment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994373/customs-increases-import-valuation-for-62-old-and-used-mobile-phone-models, 23 Apr 2026]
#2855
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) notified an increase in the price of RLNG in April 2026 by what percentage range?
(a) 19-22 per cent
(b) 10-15 per cent
(c) 25-30 per cent
(d) 35-40 per cent
Explanation: Ogra notified a 19-22 per cent increase in RLNG prices due to higher terminal charges and lower import volumes. This adjustment reflects the rising costs of energy procurement in the current fiscal environment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998447/pakistan-turns-down-two-lowest-evaluated-lng-bids, 07 May 2026]
#2856
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]
#2857
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]
#2858
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]
#2859
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]
#2860
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]