March 2024 Edition
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March 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2261
Which of the following statements regarding the events of March 10, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Brent crude oil prices experienced significant volatility during the day.
(b) Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Iranian conflict with US President Donald Trump.
(c) Iranian security officials expressed skepticism regarding the restoration of security in the Strait of Hormuz.
(d) The United States officially declared the war in the Middle East to be permanently concluded.
Explanation: President Trump predicted the war could be over soon, but he did not declare it permanently concluded. The other statements accurately reflect the reported events of that date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980416/oil-prices-go-haywire-as-iran-welcomes-new-supreme-leader, 10 Mar 2026]
#2262
In the context of the March 10, 2026, UNSC session, what specific term did India use to describe its concern regarding regional trade vulnerabilities?
(a) Transit corridor exploitation
(b) Economic border sabotage
(c) Trade and transit terrorism
(d) Logistical warfare
Explanation: India's representative specifically used the phrase 'trade and transit terrorism' to argue that the vulnerabilities of land-locked developing countries should not be weaponized. This was a central point of contention during the Indian address. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980464/pakistan-india-exchange-sharp-words-at-un-security-council-over-afghanistan, 10 Mar 2026]
#2263
Which of the following claims was NOT made by the Pakistani representative during the UNSC debate on March 10, 2026?
(a) Pakistan's counter-terrorism operations are in conformity with international humanitarian law.
(b) India has consistently played the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan.
(c) India is a serial violator of international law.
(d) Pakistan supports the Taliban regime's current policy on inclusive governance.
Explanation: Pakistan actually urged the Taliban regime to fulfill its commitments regarding inclusive governance and the rights of women and girls, rather than expressing support for their current policies. The other three statements accurately reflect the arguments presented by the Pakistani envoy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980464/pakistan-india-exchange-sharp-words-at-un-security-council-over-afghanistan, 10 Mar 2026]
#2264
Which specific department within the Qatari interior ministry was responsible for the arrests made on March 9, 2026?
(a) Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes
(b) Directorate of National Intelligence and Security
(c) Bureau of Public Order and Strategic Communication
(d) None of these
Explanation: The arrests were conducted by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes, which operates under the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The other options are incorrect organizational titles. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980165/qatar-arrests-313-people-for-sharing-footage-misleading-information-amid-attacks-by-iran, 09 Mar 2026]
#2265
Consider the following statements regarding the UNSC debate on March 10, 2026: 1. India condemned cross-border airstrikes as a violation of the UN Charter. 2. Pakistan claimed that its actions in Afghanistan were taken in self-defense. 3. The Afghan representative Naseer Ahmad Faiq was praised by Pakistan for his neutral stance. 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 proceedings. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Pakistani envoy took exception to the remarks made by the Afghan representative, indicating a lack of alignment rather than praise. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980464/pakistan-india-exchange-sharp-words-at-un-security-council-over-afghanistan, 10 Mar 2026]
#2266
What was the primary stated objective of the protest organized by Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion in March 2026?
(a) To protest against rising inflation
(b) To demand the resignation of the police commissioner
(c) To oppose public Muslim prayer
(d) To advocate for environmental policy changes
Explanation: The protest led by Jake Lang was specifically organized to oppose alleged 'Islamification' and to call for an end to public Muslim prayer in New York. The other options are unrelated to the stated purpose of the demonstration. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980194/pair-charged-with-terrorist-offences-for-throwing-explosives-near-a-protest-outside-new-york-mayor-mamdanis-residence, 09 Mar 2026]
#2267
Which of the following statements regarding the events of March 8, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The Israeli military successfully recovered the remains of the missing navigator.
(b) The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 41 deaths in the Nabi Chit area.
(c) Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
(d) Three Lebanese army personnel were reported among the casualties.
Explanation: The Israeli military explicitly stated that no findings related to the missing navigator were recovered during the operation. The other statements accurately reflect the reported casualties and military actions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#2268
As of March 8, 2026, what is the primary operational status of Qatar Airways?
(a) Partial resumption for evacuation and cargo only
(b) Complete cessation of all flight activities
(c) Full resumption of all international routes
(d) Resumption of all flights to South Asian destinations
Explanation: The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority clarified that while limited navigational routes are open, these are restricted to passenger evacuation and air cargo, explicitly excluding scheduled commercial flights. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979639/mideast-airlines-begin-cautious-flight-resumption-amid-regional-tensions, 08 Mar 2026]
#2269
What was the name of the Pakistani fisherman who lost his life in the incident on March 9, 2026?
(a) Muhammad Tayyab
(b) Naqibullah Kakar
(c) Attaur Rehman
(d) None of these
Explanation: Muhammad Tayyab was the fisherman from Gannz, Gwadar, who was killed by debris. Naqibullah Kakar and Attaur Rehman are the officials who confirmed the details of the incident. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40410710/iran-waters-gwadar-fisherman-killed-by-debris-from-israeli-projectile, 09 Mar 2026]
#2270
On March 9, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) maintained the key policy rate at which of the following levels?
(a) 8.5 percent
(b) 12.5 percent
(c) 10.5 percent
(d) 14.5 percent
Explanation: The SBP Monetary Policy Committee announced on March 9, 2026, that the policy rate would remain unchanged at 10.5 percent. This decision was made to maintain price stability amidst global economic uncertainty. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980133/sbp-maintains-policy-rate-at-105pc, 09 Mar 2026]
#2271
Consider the following statements about the incident involving the Gwadar fisherman: 1. The incident took place on March 7, 2026. 2. The projectile was identified by officials as being of Israeli origin. 3. The victim's body was transported back to his native town via sea. 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 incident occurred on Saturday, March 7, 2026, but the report was published on March 9, 2026. Statements 2 and 3 are factually correct as per the official confirmation provided by the Gwadar Deputy Commissioner. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40410710/iran-waters-gwadar-fisherman-killed-by-debris-from-israeli-projectile, 09 Mar 2026]
#2272
Consider the following statements about the conflict escalation on March 8, 2026: 1. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon warned that military actions will not deliver a lasting win. 2. Approximately 300,000 people have been displaced due to evacuation orders. 3. Israel has claimed territorial sovereignty over parts of the Bekaa Valley. 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 reports of displacement and UN statements. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Israeli Defence Minister explicitly stated that Israel has no territorial claims against Lebanon. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#2273
On March 8, 2026, Israeli forces conducted a rare airborne operation in which region of Lebanon?
(a) Bekaa Valley
(b) Tyre District
(c) Sidon Governorate
(d) None of these
Explanation: Israeli helicopters dropped troops near the town of Nabi Chit, which is located in the eastern Bekaa Valley. This operation was specifically aimed at searching for the remains of a missing Israeli airforce navigator. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#2274
Consider the following statements about the case of Asif Raza Merchant: 1. He was arrested in July 2024 while attempting to leave the United States. 2. He claimed during the trial that he was coerced into the plot to protect his family in Tehran. 3. The conviction was based on charges of transnational terrorism and murder-for-hire. 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 court proceedings and the details provided by prosecutors. Merchant was indeed arrested in July 2024, testified to family coercion, and was convicted on the two specified counts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979643/pakistani-found-guilty-of-iran-linked-plot-to-kill-trump, 08 Mar 2026]
#2275
According to the SBP statement released on March 9, 2026, what was the inflation rate recorded in February 2026?
(a) 5.8 percent
(b) 7.0 percent
(c) 8.2 percent
(d) None of these
Explanation: The SBP reported that inflation rose to 5.8 percent in January and 7 percent in February 2026. Option D is incorrect because 7 percent is explicitly mentioned as the February figure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980133/sbp-maintains-policy-rate-at-105pc, 09 Mar 2026]
#2276
The Israeli military operation in the Bekaa Valley on March 8, 2026, was officially stated to be a search for the remains of which individual?
(a) Jonathan Pollard
(b) Eli Cohen
(c) Gilad Shalit
(d) Ron Arad
Explanation: The Israeli military stated the operation was intended to recover the remains of Ron Arad, an airforce navigator who has been missing in Lebanon since 1986. The other individuals listed are historical figures not involved in this specific search operation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#2277
Which of the following statements regarding the regional aviation situation on March 8, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Saudia initiated a partial resumption of flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with Dubai.
(b) Oman Air suspended flights to destinations including Amman, Doha, and Baghdad.
(c) Qatar Airways resumed all scheduled commercial flights to and from Doha.
(d) Bahrain International Airport confirmed that its airspace remained temporarily closed.
Explanation: Statement D is incorrect because Qatar Airways specifically excluded scheduled commercial flights from its partial resumption of air navigation. The other three statements accurately reflect the operational status of those respective airlines and airports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979639/mideast-airlines-begin-cautious-flight-resumption-amid-regional-tensions, 08 Mar 2026]
#2278
Which airline resumed a limited commercial flight schedule from March 6, 2026, following safety assessments?
(a) Oman Air
(b) SalamAir
(c) Gulf Air
(d) Etihad Airways
Explanation: Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, officially announced the resumption of limited commercial operations on March 6, 2026. Other carriers like Oman Air and SalamAir have instead focused on extending flight cancellations during this period. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979639/mideast-airlines-begin-cautious-flight-resumption-amid-regional-tensions, 08 Mar 2026]
#2279
Which organization announced a precautionary reduction in crude oil production on March 7, 2026?
(a) Saudi Aramco
(b) Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
(c) QatarEnergy
(d) None of these
Explanation: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) officially announced the production cut as a risk management strategy amid regional tensions. Saudi Aramco and QatarEnergy are distinct national entities not involved in this specific announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979510/kuwaits-national-oil-company-cuts-production-as-precaution-amid-iran-tensions, 07 Mar 2026]
#2280
On March 25, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with which Saudi leader to discuss regional de-escalation?
(a) King Salman bin Abdulaziz
(b) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
(c) Prince Faisal bin Farhan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the conversation took place with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the ongoing regional crisis. While King Salman is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the direct diplomatic coordination regarding the current hostilities was conducted with the Crown Prince. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985161/pm-shehbaz-hails-saudi-arabias-restraint-stresses-urgent-need-for-de-escalation-of-ongoing-iran-war, 25 Mar 2026]