July 2024 Edition
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July 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2981
Consider the following statements about the fuel price update of July 2026: 1. The new fuel prices became applicable on July 22, 2026. 2. The price of petrol was increased by a higher margin than the price of high-speed diesel. 3. The government cited renewed regional hostilities in the Persian Gulf as a reason for the price hike. 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 correct as the notification specified July 22 as the effective date. Statement 3 is correct as the government cited Persian Gulf hostilities. Statement 2 is incorrect because petrol increased by Rs4.93, which is less than the Rs7.15 increase for diesel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017311/govt-increases-petrol-price-by-rs493-diesel-by-rs715-per-litre, 21 Jul 2026]
#2982
Who presided over the Senate Standing Committee meeting on Economic Affairs held on July 22, 2026?
(a) Senator Rubina Khalid
(b) Senator Waqar Mehdi
(c) Senator Hidayatullah
(d) Senator Saifullah Abro
Explanation: Senator Saifullah Abro presided over the committee meeting that reviewed the utilization of foreign-funded projects. The other senators listed were members who participated in the questioning but did not chair the session. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017399/senate-panel-concerned-over-diversion-of-flood-rehabilitation-funds-in-kp, 22 Jul 2026]
#2983
Which of the following statements regarding the fuel pricing policy as of July 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The government shifted from weekly to daily fuel price revisions.
(b) The government has mandated that fuel prices remain fixed for a period of six months.
(c) The price adjustments were influenced by regional hostilities in the Persian Gulf.
(d) The All Pakistan Dealers Association has expressed opposition to the daily pricing mechanism.
Explanation: The government has moved to a daily pricing mechanism to account for market volatility, making the claim of a six-month fixed price period factually incorrect. The other options accurately describe the current policy and the reaction of stakeholders. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017311/govt-increases-petrol-price-by-rs493-diesel-by-rs715-per-litre, 21 Jul 2026]
#2984
According to the CME’s FedWatch tool, what is the market expectation for the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision in the meeting following July 27, 2026?
(a) No rate change
(b) A rate cut
(c) A rate hike
(d) A gradual phase-out of rates
Explanation: Market participants priced in a 63.7% probability that the Federal Reserve would maintain flat interest rates. Stable rates are viewed as beneficial for growth-dependent commodities like copper. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431973/copper-gains-on-mideast-de-escalation-oil-price-drop, 27 Jul 2026]
#2985
Which Turkish official received Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on July 3, 2026?
(a) Minister of Trade Professor Dr Omer Bolat
(b) Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan
(c) Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was officially received by the Turkish Minister of Trade, Professor Dr Omer Bolat, alongside Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkiye, Dr Yusuf Junaid. Other options represent high-ranking Turkish officials who were not the primary designated greeters at the airport. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012743/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-official-visit, 03 Jul 2026]
#2986
Consider the following statements about the fuel price adjustment on July 3, 2026: 1. The price reduction was implemented to pass on the impact of lower global prices. 2. The government increased the petroleum levy, which prevented a larger decrease in fuel prices. 3. The ex-depot price of high-speed diesel was set at Rs309.50 per litre. 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. The price cut was a response to global trends, the levy increase mitigated a larger price drop, and the new HSD price was officially set at Rs309.50. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012738/govt-slashes-petrol-diesel-prices-by-rs197, 03 Jul 2026]
#2987
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Turkiye in July 2026: 1. The visit was preceded by the signing of three MoUs in the power sector. 2. The Prime Minister's visit to Turkiye was his first international trip of the year. 3. The discussions between the leaders focused on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment. 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 correct as three MoUs were signed in the power sector prior to the visit. Statement 3 is correct as trade and investment were primary focus areas. Statement 2 is incorrect as there is no evidence provided to suggest this was the Prime Minister's first international trip of the year. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012743/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-official-visit, 03 Jul 2026]
#2988
During his visit to Istanbul on July 4, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set a bilateral trade target of:
(a) $1 billion
(b) $3 billion
(c) $10 billion
(d) $5 billion
Explanation: The leaders identified a target of $5 billion in bilateral trade as a key objective to unlock the full potential of the economic partnership. This figure represents the mutually agreed goal discussed during the official visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#2989
Who is the current Interior Minister of Pakistan who held talks with his Iranian counterpart in July 2026?
(a) Rana Sanaullah
(b) Mohsin Naqvi
(c) Sheikh Rashid Ahmed
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohsin Naqvi is the serving Interior Minister of Pakistan who hosted the Iranian delegation. Rana Sanaullah and Sheikh Rashid are former interior ministers, making them incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017481/pakistan-ready-to-extend-cooperation-with-iran-in-all-fields-naqvi-tells-iranian-counterpart, 22 Jul 2026]
#2990
Which of the following statements regarding the fuel tax structure in July 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The petroleum levy on diesel stands at approximately Rs80 per litre.
(b) The petroleum levy on petrol stands at approximately Rs70 per litre.
(c) The government reduced the climate support levy to zero to offset price hikes.
(d) The customs duty on petrol is Rs16 per litre.
Explanation: The government actually doubled the climate support levy to Rs5 per litre, not reduced it to zero. Options A, B, and C accurately reflect the tax components mentioned in the fiscal data. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012738/govt-slashes-petrol-diesel-prices-by-rs197, 03 Jul 2026]
#2991
Which Pakistani minister accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his official visit to Turkiye in July 2026?
(a) Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar
(c) Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif
(d) Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal
Explanation: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, accompanied the Prime Minister on his visit. The other ministers listed were not mentioned as part of the official delegation for this specific trip. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012743/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-official-visit, 03 Jul 2026]
#2992
Which of the following areas was NOT explicitly mentioned as a focus for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Iran during the July 2026 meetings?
(a) Nuclear energy technology transfer
(b) Prevention of illegal immigration
(c) Counter-terrorism
(d) Counter-narcotics
Explanation: The discussions focused on security, trade, and infrastructure, specifically counter-terrorism, immigration, and narcotics. Nuclear energy technology transfer was not part of the official agenda. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017481/pakistan-ready-to-extend-cooperation-with-iran-in-all-fields-naqvi-tells-iranian-counterpart, 22 Jul 2026]
#2993
Which business group did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meet with during his official visit to Turkiye on July 4, 2026?
(a) Sabanci Holding
(b) Koc Holding
(c) Albayrak Group
(d) Dogus Group
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with a business delegation led by the Chairman of the Albayrak Group, Ahmet Albayrak, to discuss investment opportunities. The other options are major Turkish conglomerates not mentioned in the context of this specific meeting. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#2994
All of the following are key areas of cooperation discussed between Pakistan and Turkiye during the July 4, 2026, visit EXCEPT:
(a) Industrial cooperation
(b) Space exploration
(c) Investment
(d) Bilateral trade
Explanation: The leaders specifically emphasized trade, investment, and industrial cooperation as the pillars of the new phase of their economic partnership. Space exploration was not mentioned as a focus area in the official discussions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#2995
Who is the Foreign Minister of Kuwait who visited Pakistan in July 2026?
(a) Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah
(b) Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
(c) Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah
(d) Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Explanation: Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister who undertook the official visit to Pakistan in July 2026. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40432027/kuwaiti-foreign-minister-to-visit-pakistan-on-tuesday-fo, 27 Jul 2026]
#2996
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which was highlighted during the July 4, 2026, visit, was signed to address which of the following?
(a) The US-Iran war
(b) Regional climate change
(c) Bilateral education exchange
(d) Maritime border disputes
Explanation: The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Turkiye's support regarding the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed on June 18, 2026, to end the US-Iran war. This reflects the diplomatic role both nations play in regional security. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#2997
Consider the following statements about the Pak-Turkiye relationship as discussed on July 4, 2026: 1. Pakistan maintains a firm stance in support of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. 2. Turkiye provides consistent support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 3. The two leaders agreed that military intervention is the only path to preserving international peace. 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 mutual support on core national issues. Statement 3 is incorrect because the leaders explicitly reaffirmed that dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect are the only sustainable paths to resolving disputes. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#2998
Which of the following statements regarding the Iranian strikes on July 18, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The IRGC officially confirmed and claimed responsibility for the attacks on Saudi Arabia.
(b) Kuwait International Airport suspended operations due to missile and drone threats.
(c) Iranian missiles struck power facilities and desalination pumps in the city of Jask.
(d) The IRGC claimed to have destroyed a radar facility at Ali Al Salem Air Base.
Explanation: While reports indicated attacks on Saudi Arabia, the IRGC explicitly made no mention of any such operation in their official statements. The other options accurately reflect the reported events of the day. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016426/iran-hits-gulf-states-and-jordan-after-seventh-night-of-us-strikes, 18 Jul 2026]
#2999
Which of the following is NOT a US institution that the Finance Minister is scheduled to engage with during his July 2026 visit?
(a) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
(b) US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
(c) US Export-Import (Exim) Bank
(d) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Explanation: The Finance Minister's visit focuses on economic and financial institutions; the FBI is a law enforcement agency and is not involved in trade or tariff negotiations. The other three organizations are explicitly mentioned as part of the official itinerary. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016143/finance-minister-to-visit-washington-for-trade-tariff-talks-with-us, 17 Jul 2026]
#3000
The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to meet in which month following the July 27, 2026, market session?
(a) August 2026
(b) September 2026
(c) October 2026
(d) November 2026
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of Australia was scheduled to meet in August 2026, with investors awaiting inflation data to determine the likelihood of a cash rate hike. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431982/australian-shares-rise-nearly-1-as-middle-east-de-escalation-boosts-sentiment, 27 Jul 2026]