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.
#1781
The Regional Agricultural Forum meeting held on March 11, 2026, reviewed development activities for which of the following crops?
(a) Wheat, maize, and rice
(b) Tea, coffee, and cocoa
(c) Rubber, palm oil, and jute
(d) None of these
Explanation: The meeting reviewed ongoing development activities for several crops, including wheat, maize, rice, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, citrus, and fodder. Tea and rubber are not among the crops listed in the forum's review. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40411256/comprehensive-plan-to-devise-crop-wise-agricultural-policy, 11 Mar 2026]
#1782
Consider the following statements about the Regional Agricultural Forum meeting held on March 11, 2026: 1. The forum emphasized the need for strong academic-industry linkages. 2. The meeting identified climate change as a serious threat to food security. 3. The policy framework aims to make agriculture a less profitable sector to encourage industrial migration. 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 forum's goals of fostering innovation and addressing climate-related food insecurity. Statement 3 is incorrect because the forum aims to make agriculture a more profitable sector, not less. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40411256/comprehensive-plan-to-devise-crop-wise-agricultural-policy, 11 Mar 2026]
#1783
What is the total amount Chinese companies plan to invest in the manufacturing sector of Balochistan as of March 11, 2026?
(a) $1.6 billion
(b) $2.6 billion
(c) $3.6 billion
(d) $4.6 billion
Explanation: The investment plan announced on March 11, 2026, specifically earmarks $2.6 billion for the manufacturing sector in Balochistan. Other options represent incorrect figures that deviate from the official announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980763/chinese-firms-plan-to-invest-26bn-in-balochistan, 11 Mar 2026]
#1784
Consider the following statements about the security incident in Mastung on 2026-07-24: 1. The attack resulted in the death of a Sessions Judge and his gunman. 2. The provincial government described the attack as an assault on the state itself. 3. The incident occurred during a planned protest march on the National Highway. 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 officials were traveling to perform official duties, not participating in a protest march. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#1785
How much capital is specifically allocated for the mineral sector of Balochistan in the investment plan announced on March 11, 2026?
(a) $10 million
(b) $12 million
(c) $14 million
(d) $16 million
Explanation: The investment proposal includes $14 million dedicated to the mineral sector of Balochistan. This is distinct from the much larger $2.6 billion allocated for manufacturing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980763/chinese-firms-plan-to-invest-26bn-in-balochistan, 11 Mar 2026]
#1786
Which of the following statements regarding the refinery project announced on March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The project is located at the Port of Brownsville.
(b) The refinery is designed to process imported crude oil from the Middle East.
(c) Reliance Industries is involved as a partner in the project.
(d) The project is framed as a major investment in US energy infrastructure.
Explanation: The refinery is designed to process 100 per cent American shale oil, not imported crude from the Middle East. Therefore, statement C is factually incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980847/trump-touts-us-oil-refinery-deal-with-indias-energy-giant-reliance-industries, 11 Mar 2026]
#1787
Consider the following statements about the energy market developments as of March 11, 2026: 1. The IEA's proposed oil release is intended to offset disruptions caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. 2. Goldman Sachs analysts estimated that the proposed stockpile release would offset 12 days of Gulf export disruptions. 3. US crude prices reached their highest level since June 2022 on Monday, March 9, 2026. 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 IEA is responding to the Iran conflict, Goldman Sachs provided the 12-day offset estimate, and WTI crude prices hit their highest point since June 2022 on the preceding Monday. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980857/oil-falls-on-report-of-iea-proposing-biggest-oil-release-ever, 11 Mar 2026]
#1788
Consider the following statements about the investment plan announced on March 11, 2026: 1. The investment plan aims to stimulate industrial activities and generate employment in Balochistan. 2. The Chinese delegation was accompanied by the former finance minister of Balochistan, Amjad Rasheed. 3. The proposed investment in the mineral sector is larger than the investment in the manufacturing sector. 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 investment aims to boost industry and jobs. Statement 2 is correct as Amjad Rasheed accompanied the delegation. Statement 3 is incorrect because the $2.6 billion manufacturing investment is significantly larger than the $14 million mineral sector investment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980763/chinese-firms-plan-to-invest-26bn-in-balochistan, 11 Mar 2026]
#1789
Consider the following statements about the refinery project announced on March 11, 2026: 1. The project involves a partnership with India's Reliance Industries. 2. The facility is intended to be the first major oil refinery built in the United States in half a century. 3. The project is entirely funded by the US federal government. 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 partnership with Reliance and the historical context of the refinery construction. Statement 3 is incorrect because the project is a private investment initiative, not a federally funded government project. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980847/trump-touts-us-oil-refinery-deal-with-indias-energy-giant-reliance-industries, 11 Mar 2026]
#1790
As of March 11, 2026, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is considering a record-breaking release of oil reserves to counter supply disruptions caused by conflict in which region?
(a) South China Sea
(b) Gulf of Mexico
(c) North Sea
(d) Gulf region
Explanation: The IEA is proposing a massive release of oil reserves to address supply disruptions stemming from the conflict involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf region. Other options represent different global maritime chokepoints not central to this specific energy crisis. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980857/oil-falls-on-report-of-iea-proposing-biggest-oil-release-ever, 11 Mar 2026]
#1791
Which of the following statements regarding the energy market situation as of March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The IEA's proposed drawdown would exceed the 182 million barrels released in 2022.
(b) Brent futures traded down by approximately 1 per cent on the day of the report.
(c) The US Navy has officially agreed to provide military escorts for all commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
(d) ADNOC shut its Ruwais refinery following a drone strike.
Explanation: The US Navy has actually refused requests from the shipping industry for military escorts due to the high risk of attacks, making the incorrect statement. The other options accurately reflect the market and security conditions described in the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980857/oil-falls-on-report-of-iea-proposing-biggest-oil-release-ever, 11 Mar 2026]
#1792
Who is the current Law Minister of Pakistan who advised the media to avoid debating foreign policy on March 10, 2026?
(a) Talal Chaudhry
(b) Azam Nazeer Tarar
(c) Shehbaz Sharif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Azam Nazeer Tarar is the Law Minister who issued the statement regarding media responsibility. Talal Chaudhry was present at the press conference but holds the portfolio for Information and Broadcasting. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40410963/law-minister-urges-media-to-avoid-debating-foreign-policy-citing-regional-sensitivities, 10 Mar 2026]
#1793
Which of the following statements regarding the Law Minister's address on March 10, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The minister expressed concern over negative vlogs created merely for views.
(b) The minister advised against irresponsible commentary on national security.
(c) The minister noted that Pakistan has made diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions.
(d) The minister stated that freedom of expression is absolute and has no constitutional boundaries.
Explanation: The minister explicitly stated that freedom of expression must be exercised within the boundaries of the Constitution and the law, making the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40410963/law-minister-urges-media-to-avoid-debating-foreign-policy-citing-regional-sensitivities, 10 Mar 2026]
#1794
In which city was the lawsuit filed by Anthropic against the United States government on March 10, 2026?
(a) San Francisco
(b) Washington
(c) New York
(d) Los Angeles
Explanation: The complaint was filed in federal court located in San Francisco. While Washington is the seat of the federal government and the Pentagon, the legal action itself was initiated in the Northern District of California. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980425/anthropic-takes-us-govt-to-court-over-security-risk-designation, 10 Mar 2026]
#1795
Which of the following statements regarding the March 10, 2026, incident is INCORRECT?
(a) All injured victims were treated at the same hospital in Bannu.
(b) The incident occurred in the Takhtikhel area.
(c) The attack involved the use of a quadcopter to drop explosives.
(d) Police launched a search operation to locate the perpetrators.
Explanation: The statement that all victims were treated at the same hospital is incorrect; the report specifies that three girls were taken to the tehsil headquarters hospital in Serai Naurang, while two boys were taken to Bannu. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980622/5-children-injured-in-quadcopter-attack-in-kps-lakki-marwat-officials, 10 Mar 2026]
#1796
Arrange the following major international and regional developments in the correct chronological order of their reported occurrences or scheduling (earliest to latest): 1. The 11th Pakistan Banking Awards. 2. The 2024 uprising in Bangladesh leading to the current political climate for Sheikh Hasina. 3. The reported monsoon-related fatalities in India reaching over 100 on August 6, 2026. 4. The legislative advancement of a conditional amnesty bill for PKK fighters in Turkey.
(a) 2, 3, 4, 1
(b) 3, 2, 4, 1
(c) 2, 1, 3, 4
(d) 4, 2, 3, 1
Explanation: The sequence is determined by the 2024 Bangladesh uprising, followed by the specific disaster reports from India (August 6, 2026), the legislative action in Turkey (August 6, 2026), and finally the scheduled Pakistan Banking Awards (August 21, 2026). [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2020870/floods-landslides-leave-over-100-dead-as-monsoon-batters-india]
#1797
The decline in global crude oil prices on March 11, 2026, was primarily attributed to:
(a) Diplomatic signals regarding the potential end of the conflict with Iran
(b) Increased production from OPEC nations
(c) A sudden drop in global industrial demand
(d) New sanctions imposed on major oil exporters
Explanation: Crude prices plunged following remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting that the conflict with Iran could end soon, which eased supply disruption concerns. Other options do not reflect the specific geopolitical catalyst mentioned in the market report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980849/kse-100-ends-lower-after-early-rally-loses-steam, 11 Mar 2026]
#1798
Which of the following statements regarding the KSE-100 market session on March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The index experienced an intraday high of 158,624.51 points.
(b) The index began the session with a sharp rebound.
(c) The index closed lower compared to the previous session.
(d) The index maintained its early gains throughout the entire trading day.
Explanation: The index did not maintain its gains; the report states that the momentum faded and the index largely erased its early gains by 1pm. Options A, B, and D are factually accurate descriptions of the session. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980849/kse-100-ends-lower-after-early-rally-loses-steam, 11 Mar 2026]
#1799
Who chaired the Capital Market Development Council (CMDC) meeting held on March 11, 2026?
(a) Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Shamshad Akhtar
(c) Miftah Ismail
(d) None of these
Explanation: Muhammad Aurangzeb, as the Finance Minister, chaired the CMDC meeting to discuss reforms for the capital market. The other individuals listed are former finance ministers and are not the current officeholder for the 2026 event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980943/finance-minister-stresses-more-balanced-system-where-capital-markets-complement-banking-sector, 11 Mar 2026]
#1800
Which company led the trading volume on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on March 11, 2026?
(a) K-Electric Limited
(b) Cnergyico PK Limited
(c) The Bank of Punjab
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Bank of Punjab led the trading activity with a volume of 37,706,784 shares. K-Electric and Cnergyico followed with lower trading volumes. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980849/kse-100-ends-lower-after-early-rally-loses-steam, 11 Mar 2026]