April 2025 Edition
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April 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2021
By what percentage have oil prices increased due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as of April 2026?
(a) 25 percent
(b) 40 percent
(c) 50 percent
(d) 75 percent
Explanation: The conflict has significantly disrupted energy supplies, leading to a 50 percent increase in oil prices. This surge is a primary driver of the projected global economic slowdown. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990654/global-growth-to-suffer-due-to-middle-east-war-world-bank-chief, 11 Apr 2026]
#2022
Consider the following statements about the airspace restrictions between Pakistan and India: 1. The airspace closure was initially implemented in response to tensions following an attack in Pahalgam. 2. Pakistan has offered a neutral probe into the allegations regarding the 2025 incident. 3. The airspace ban has been extended only once since its inception in 2025. 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 regarding the origin of the tensions and Pakistan's diplomatic stance. Statement 3 is incorrect because the ban has been extended multiple times since 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016474/paa-extends-airspace-ban-on-indian-aircraft-until-aug-23, 18 Jul 2026]
#2023
Consider the following statements about the financial situation reported on April 4, 2026: 1. The total amount of debt to be returned to the UAE is $3.5 billion. 2. The repayment of these deposits is expected to reduce Pakistan's central bank reserves by approximately 18 percent. 3. The UAE deposits were rolled over multiple times since 2019. 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 amount is $3.5 billion, the impact on reserves is estimated at an 18 percent reduction, and the deposits have been subject to multiple rollovers since 2019. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988580/fo-rejects-misleading-unfounded-commentary-regarding-financial-deposits-from-uae, 04 Apr 2026]
#2024
What is the total amount of debt Pakistan has decided to return to the United Arab Emirates by the end of April 2026?
(a) $2.0 billion
(b) $12.5 billion
(c) $5.0 billion
(d) $3.5 billion
Explanation: The government announced the return of $3.5 billion in deposits to the UAE. This amount was part of the financial support provided in 2019 to stabilize the balance of payments. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988321/pakistan-to-return-35bn-uae-debt-before-month-end-official, 03 Apr 2026]
#2025
Consider the following statements about the US-Iran peace process: 1. The peace deal is expected to be signed through an electronic process. 2. A previous round of talks held in Islamabad in April 2026 failed to produce a signed deal after 21 hours of negotiations. 3. The conflict between the two nations has been entirely limited to cyber warfare. 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 Prime Minister mentioned preparations for an electronic signing. Statement 2 is correct regarding the April 2026 talks in Islamabad. Statement 3 is incorrect because the conflict involved physical military strikes, including the downing of an Apache helicopter. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2007576/us-iran-peace-deal-inches-closer-as-pm-shehbaz-says-finalisation-expected-within-a-day, 13 Jun 2026]
#2026
Consider the following statements about the fuel price adjustments announced on April 2, 2026: 1. The price of kerosene was increased to Rs457.80 per litre. 2. The government rejected multiple previous recommendations for fuel price hikes since the regional conflict began. 3. The new fuel prices were made effective immediately on the day of the announcement. 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 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Petroleum Minister explicitly stated that the new prices would be effective from Friday, not the day of the announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987901/govt-hikes-petrol-price-to-rs458-per-litre-hsd-price-to-rs520-per-litre, 02 Apr 2026]
#2027
Consider the following statements about the Pak-Afghan border security situation as of April 2026: 1. The Ministry of Information utilized its official fact-checking account on X to refute the claims. 2. The Afghan Defence account claimed that operations to remove the barbed wire were progressing rapidly. 3. The Ministry of Information acknowledged that the border fence had been partially removed in specific sectors to facilitate trade. 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 Ministry's report and the cited Afghan Defence account. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Ministry explicitly stated that the fence is fully intact and denied any removal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987562/devoid-of-facts-info-ministry-rubbishes-claims-of-barbed-wire-being-removed-along-pak-afghan-border, 01 Apr 2026]
#2028
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. Pakistan is acting as a mediator to facilitate talks between Tehran and Washington. 2. The Iranian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan twice within a span of two days. 3. The conflict involving Iran began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 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 provided report. Pakistan is actively mediating, the minister made two visits in two days, and the conflict timeline is correctly identified. [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]
#2029
At which location in Pakistan did the Iranian Foreign Minister arrive during his April 2026 visit?
(a) Allama Iqbal International Airport
(b) Jinnah International Airport
(c) Nur Khan Air Base
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Iranian Foreign Minister arrived at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi. The other options are major civilian airports in Pakistan, which were not the site of this specific diplomatic arrival. [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]
#2030
Who announced the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire on April 21, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
(b) US President Donald Trump
(c) Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir
(d) Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Explanation: US President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran on his Truth Social platform. While Pakistani leadership requested the extension, Trump was the one who made the official announcement. [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]
#2031
According to the Annual Security Report 2025, what was the approximate percentage increase in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa compared to the previous year?
(a) 22 percent
(b) 44 percent
(c) 66 percent
(d) 82 percent
Explanation: The report indicates a 44 percent year-on-year surge in violence in the province. The 82 percent figure refers to the province's share of the net national rise in fatalities, not the year-on-year growth rate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981779/law-enforcers-kill-6-terrorists-in-lakki-marwat-operation-ctd, 13 Mar 2026]
#2032
Consider the following statements about the BPS-2026 notification: 1. The new pay scales apply to federal civil employees paid from both civil and defence estimates. 2. Employees posted abroad are eligible to receive the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 during their foreign tenure. 3. The 2022 and 2025 ad hoc relief allowances were abolished upon the implementation of the new scales. 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 covers both civil and defence estimates. Statement 3 is correct as the 2022 and 2025 allowances were merged and abolished. Statement 2 is incorrect because employees posted abroad are explicitly excluded from receiving the allowance during their foreign posting. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#2033
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, what was the total wheat production in Pakistan for FY26?
(a) 28.40 million tonnes
(b) 29.61 million tonnes
(c) 31.20 million tonnes
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Economic Survey 2025-26 reported that wheat production increased to 29.61 million tonnes in FY26, up from 28.40 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year. Option A represents the production figure for FY25, making it a plausible but incorrect distractor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018192/private-sector-rejects-govt-wheat-import-plan, 25 Jul 2026]
#2034
Consider the following statements about the current security dynamics between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: 1. The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement was signed in 2025. 2. Pakistan has publicly committed to providing military aid to Saudi Arabia regardless of the circumstances. 3. Pakistan has engaged in diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. 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 agreement was signed in 2025. Statement 3 is correct as Pakistan has engaged in diplomatic mediation. Statement 2 is incorrect because the spokesperson explicitly stated that commenting on the specifics of military aid would be 'speculative and irresponsible'. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980894/no-matter-what-no-matter-when-pms-spokesperson-reiterates-support-for-saudi-arabia-before-it-is-needed, 11 Mar 2026]
#2035
Approximately how many people were reported to have contracted HIV in 2025?
(a) 1.8 million
(b) 1.2 million
(c) 2.4 million
(d) 3.0 million
Explanation: The UNAIDS report specifies that 1.2 million people contracted HIV during the previous year. This figure underscores the ongoing challenge of the epidemic despite previous progress. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018957/world-risks-hiv-resurgence-as-funding-falls-18pc-unaids-says, 28 Jul 2026]
#2036
According to the 2026 UNAIDS report, by what percentage did global funding for HIV initiatives decline in 2025?
(a) 12 percent
(b) 15 percent
(c) 22 percent
(d) 18 percent
Explanation: The UNAIDS report released in 2026 explicitly states that global funding for HIV fell by 18 percent to $7.3 billion in 2025. This represents the lowest level of funding in nearly two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018957/world-risks-hiv-resurgence-as-funding-falls-18pc-unaids-says, 28 Jul 2026]
#2037
Consider the following statements about the Sindh government's transport policy announced on April 5, 2026: 1. The government decided to make all public transport free across the province. 2. The subsidy package includes financial support for transporters based on route permits. 3. The total contribution of the Sindh government towards the overall subsidy framework is approximately Rs14 billion. 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 government explicitly chose a fare freeze over making buses free. Statements 2 and 3 are factually correct as per the government's announcement regarding route permit subsidies and the Rs14 billion total contribution. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988836/sindh-cm-secures-fare-freeze-after-talks-with-transporters-amid-fuel-price-hike, 05 Apr 2026]
#2038
Who is the current Foreign Minister of Iran who met with the Pakistani delegation in Tehran on April 15, 2026?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Esmaeil Baqaei
(c) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(d) Mohammad Javad Zarif
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian Foreign Minister who welcomed Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran. Esmaeil Baqaei is the foreign ministry spokesman, not the Foreign Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#2039
The mediation efforts led by Pakistan in April 2026 are primarily aimed at de-escalating tensions between which two countries?
(a) Pakistan and India
(b) Russia and Ukraine
(c) Saudi Arabia and Iran
(d) Iran and the United States
Explanation: The diplomatic efforts are focused on de-escalation between Iran and the United States, following direct talks held in Islamabad. The other options represent different geopolitical conflicts not addressed by this specific mediation mission. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#2040
Consider the following statements about the fuel price situation in 2026: 1. The government reduced petrol prices for two consecutive weeks in May 2026. 2. The global fuel crunch was exacerbated by the conflict involving Iran. 3. The Petroleum Minister announced an increase in fuel prices on April 2, 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: All three statements are factually accurate based on the provided information regarding the 2026 fuel price trends and the geopolitical context of the energy crisis. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002321/govt-reduces-petrol-by-rs6-per-litre-high-speed-diesel-by-rs68, 22 May 2026]