May 2024 Edition
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May 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2601
Who received Field Marshal Asim Munir upon his arrival in Tehran on May 22, 2026?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Eskandar Momeni
(c) Steve Witkoff
(d) None of these
Explanation: Eskandar Momeni, the Iranian Minister for Interior, officially received the Pakistani delegation at the airport. Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian Foreign Minister, and Steve Witkoff is a US Special Envoy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002286/cdf-asim-munir-arrives-in-iran-as-part-of-ongoing-mediation-efforts-ispr, 22 May 2026]
#2602
Which of the following statements regarding the security operations reported on May 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The operations were conducted over a period of 72 hours.
(b) The operations resulted in the death of 23 terrorists.
(c) Security forces discovered and destroyed complex underground tunnels and bunkers.
(d) Weapons and a large cache of explosives were recovered from the terrorists.
Explanation: The ISPR statement specified that the operations were conducted over the last 48 hours, not 72 hours. The other statements accurately reflect the findings and outcomes of the reported IBOs. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002065/security-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-multiple-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-ibos-ispr, 21 May 2026]
#2603
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic response to the incident on May 23, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The United Kingdom summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in Britain.
(b) New Zealand announced it would summon the Israeli ambassador to express concerns.
(c) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Australia had already sanctioned Ben-Gvir.
(d) The United States officially joined France in imposing a travel ban on Ben-Gvir.
Explanation: While the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned the actions, there is no report that the United States joined France in imposing a formal travel ban. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic actions taken by the respective nations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002539/france-bans-israeli-security-minister-ben-gvir-from-country, 23 May 2026]
#2604
Which of the following is NOT a concern raised by Pakistan regarding the current international system in the May 2026 UNSC debate?
(a) The expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(b) Weaponization of water treaties
(c) The need for comprehensive UNSC reform
(d) Selective application of international law
Explanation: Pakistan's address focused on the selective application of law, the sanctity of water treaties (specifically the Indus Waters Treaty), and the necessity of UNSC reform. NATO expansion was not a topic addressed by the Foreign Minister in this specific speech. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003210/pakistan-stresses-need-for-restraint-de-escalation-in-iran-us-conflict, 26 May 2026]
#2605
Consider the following statements about Pakistan's diplomatic position presented at the UNSC on May 26, 2026: 1. Pakistan advocates for the weaponization of water resources to exert diplomatic pressure. 2. The Foreign Minister emphasized that the crisis of the international system stems from the selective application of principles. 3. Pakistan maintains that there can be no durable peace in the Middle East while occupation and forced displacement continue. 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 Pakistan explicitly stated that water must never be weaponized. Statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the Foreign Minister's critique of the international order and his stance on the Middle East conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003210/pakistan-stresses-need-for-restraint-de-escalation-in-iran-us-conflict, 26 May 2026]
#2606
Who is the current Mayor of New York whose official residence was the site of the 2026 protest and explosive incident?
(a) Eric Adams
(b) Zohran Mamdani
(c) Bill de Blasio
(d) None of these
Explanation: Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York identified in the report as the official whose residence, Gracie Mansion, was the location of the protest and subsequent explosive incident. Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio are former mayors and serve as plausible distractors. [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]
#2607
Which of the following statements regarding the events of May 29, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The PTI leaders were accused of lacking a required travel permit.
(b) The GB government officially confirmed that arrests were made.
(c) PTI leaders alleged that the government was engaging in pre-poll rigging.
(d) The incident occurred during the electioneering phase for the GB elections.
Explanation: The GB government explicitly stated in an official release that no arrests were made, contradicting the PTI's claim of arrest. Therefore, the statement that the government confirmed arrests is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003687/pti-leaders-expelled-from-gb-during-electioneering-authorities-allege-code-of-conduct-violation, 29 May 2026]
#2608
In which areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the intelligence-based operations conducted on May 21, 2026?
(a) Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu
(b) Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Wana
(c) Mir Ali, Razmak, and Khyber
(d) None of these
Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that the operations conducted over the 48-hour period leading to May 21, 2026, were focused in the areas of Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu. Other locations like Tank and Dera Ismail Khan have been sites of separate operations but were not the primary focus of this specific report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002065/security-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-multiple-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-ibos-ispr, 21 May 2026]
#2609
Consider the following statements about the political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan on May 29, 2026: 1. PTI leaders were expelled for failing to produce a valid travel permit. 2. The PTI leadership alleged that PML-N candidates were receiving preferential treatment and government protocol. 3. The KP Chief Minister threatened to personally visit the region to address the treatment of parliamentarians. 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 reports: the administration cited the lack of a permit, the PTI alleged unequal treatment compared to the PML-N, and the KP Chief Minister issued a public warning regarding the treatment of the parliamentarians. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003687/pti-leaders-expelled-from-gb-during-electioneering-authorities-allege-code-of-conduct-violation, 29 May 2026]
#2610
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]
#2611
Following the price revision on May 15, 2026, what is the new price of petrol per litre in Pakistan?
(a) Rs378.00
(b) Rs415.50
(c) Rs409.78
(d) Rs420.25
Explanation: According to the official notification, the price of petrol was set at Rs409.78 per litre following the Rs5 reduction. Rs378.00 was a previous price point mentioned in the context of earlier fiscal adjustments. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000498/govt-reduces-petrol-diesel-prices-by-rs5, 15 May 2026]
#2612
Who currently serves as the State Minister for Interior in the federal government as of May 2026?
(a) Abdul Qadir
(b) Ayaz Sadiq
(c) Faisal Saleem Rehman
(d) Talal Chaudhry
Explanation: Talal Chaudhry is the State Minister for Interior who presented the government's stance regarding the alleged misuse of official passports during the committee meeting. The other individuals listed hold different legislative or parliamentary roles. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999979/pti-defends-mna-iqbal-afridis-son-over-asylum-move-assails-govts-oppression, 13 May 2026]
#2613
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic situation involving New York City and the UN General Assembly: 1. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has confirmed he possesses the absolute legal authority to arrest visiting heads of state. 2. The Israeli Prime Minister's office dismissed the mayor's threats as irrelevant. 3. The United States President has the authority to override municipal actions that interfere with federal diplomatic protocol. 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 Mayor Mamdani explicitly stated he was unsure of his legal authority to detain a foreign leader. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as they reflect the dismissal of the threat by the Israeli side and the constitutional reality of federal supremacy in US foreign policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017066/trump-dismisses-ny-mayor-mamdanis-threat-to-arrest-netanyahu, 20 Jul 2026]
#2614
Consider the following statements about the ICC warrant debate in New York City: 1. The New York City Mayor claimed that the federal government has the authority to join the ICC and execute warrants. 2. The United States President vowed that the Israeli Prime Minister would not face arrest during the UN General Assembly summit. 3. The ICC warrant is based on allegations related to the offensive in Gaza following the October 2023 attack. 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 correct based on the events of July 2026. The Mayor acknowledged federal primacy, the President publicly stated the Prime Minister would not be arrested, and the ICC's warrant is linked to the post-October 2023 Gaza offensive. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017473/he-is-a-war-criminal-mamdani-says-nyc-cannot-arrest-netanyahu-on-icc-warrant-urges-us-federal-officials-to-step-in, 22 Jul 2026]
#2615
Who is the current Law Minister of Pakistan as of May 2026?
(a) Rana Sanaullah
(b) Azam Nazeer Tarar
(c) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
(d) None of these
Explanation: Azam Nazeer Tarar serves as the Law Minister and has been the primary spokesperson regarding the government's stance on potential constitutional amendments. Rana Sanaullah is an adviser to the Prime Minister, not the Law Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000722/law-minister-tarar-sees-no-indication-of-28th-amendment-for-now, 16 May 2026]
#2616
Which organization provided strategic support to the Nigerian military for the airstrikes conducted in May 2026?
(a) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
(b) United Nations Peacekeeping Force
(c) Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
(d) US Africa Command (Africom)
Explanation: The US Africa Command (Africom) coordinated with Nigerian authorities to execute the airstrikes. Africom is the primary US military command responsible for operations in Africa. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001567/nigeria-says-joint-strikes-with-us-kill-175-is-fighters, 19 May 2026]
#2617
Who was identified as the global director of operations for the Islamic State killed during the joint Nigeria-US strikes in May 2026?
(a) Abdal Wahhab
(b) Abu Bilal al-Minuki
(c) Abu Musa al-Mangawi
(d) Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir
Explanation: Abu Bilal al-Minuki was confirmed as the global director of operations for IS and was killed during the joint military operation. The other individuals listed were also senior ISWAP figures killed in the same operation, but they held different roles. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001567/nigeria-says-joint-strikes-with-us-kill-175-is-fighters, 19 May 2026]
#2618
Who was the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team during the second Test match in May 2026?
(a) Litton Das
(b) Mahmudul Hasan Joy
(c) Taijul Islam
(d) Najmul Hossain Shanto
Explanation: Najmul Hossain Shanto served as the captain of the Bangladesh team during the series. Litton Das performed wicket-keeping duties, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy was a fielder. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001532/taijul-puts-bangladesh-on-brink-of-test-series-win-over-pakistan, 19 May 2026]
#2619
The joint military strikes conducted by Nigeria and the United States in May 2026 primarily targeted militants in which region of Nigeria?
(a) Northeast
(b) Northwest
(c) South-South
(d) None of these
Explanation: The military operations were concentrated in the northeast, a region that has been the epicenter of the extremist insurgency since 2009. While the northwest has experienced violence from criminal gangs, the specific joint strikes against IS leadership occurred in the northeast. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001567/nigeria-says-joint-strikes-with-us-kill-175-is-fighters, 19 May 2026]
#2620
Who serves as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and issued a statement urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint following regional drone attacks in May 2026?
(a) Nawaz Sharif
(b) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(c) Imran Khan
(d) Shehbaz Sharif
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a public statement on X condemning the attacks and calling for diplomatic solutions. The other individuals listed are prominent political figures but do not hold the office of Prime Minister as of May 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001312/pakistan-condemns-drone-strike-on-saudi-arabia-expresses-solidarity-with-riyadh, 18 May 2026]