July 2025 Edition

July 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions

Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.

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#6661

Consider the following statements about the market performance on July 21, 2026: 1. The KSE-100 index opened in the green before experiencing a sharp dip after 12pm. 2. Global oil prices initially fell due to reports of mediation efforts between the US and Iran. 3. The market closed in the red after failing to recover from the midday selling pressure.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 and 2 are factually correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the index actually closed in the green with a gain of 205.83 points, despite the midday volatility. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-1200-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#6662

Consider the following statements about the market conditions on July 21, 2026: 1. Brent crude futures rose by 1.8 per cent to $90.84 a barrel. 2. The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude contract for September delivery rose by 1.8 per cent. 3. Investor sentiment was bolstered by optimism regarding the ongoing earnings season for oil and gas exploration companies. 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 market data reported for the session. Brent crude rose to $90.84, the September WTI contract rose by 1.8 per cent, and analysts specifically cited earnings optimism in the oil and gas sector as a supporting factor for investor sentiment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]
#6663

Which sector faced significant selling pressure on the PSX on July 21, 2026, due to policy uncertainty?

(a) Cement production
(b) Textile manufacturing
(c) Refinery stocks
(d) Oil and gas exploration
Explanation: Refinery stocks were specifically noted for bearing the brunt of selling pressure due to market speculation regarding potential delays in the implementation of the refinery policy. Other sectors like cement and textiles were actually highlighted as areas where investors expected strong earnings results. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]
#6664

What was the primary geopolitical factor contributing to the rise in global oil prices on July 21, 2026?

(a) Sanctions on Russian energy exports
(b) Threats of a naval blockade by Yemen's Houthis
(c) OPEC production quota adjustments
(d) Disruption in the Suez Canal transit
Explanation: The rise in oil prices was attributed to continued hostilities in the Gulf and specific threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi forces. This geopolitical instability directly impacted global energy market sentiment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]
#6665

Which official attended the July 16, 2026, meeting as the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan?

(a) Tariq Bajwa
(b) Muhammad Aurangzeb
(c) Ahsan Iqbal
(d) Jameel Ahmad
Explanation: Jameel Ahmad is the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan who attended the meeting. Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal were present as Federal Ministers, while Tariq Bajwa attended as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]
#6666

Which of the following statements regarding the KSE-100 market performance on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The index closed with a decline of 0.12 per cent.
(b) The market experienced a sharp dip after 12pm.
(c) The index opened the session in the green.
(d) The index reached an intraday high of 178,370.45.
Explanation: The index actually closed with a gain of 0.12 per cent, not a decline. The other three statements accurately describe the market's opening, the timing of the mid-day dip, and the intraday peak. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]
#6667

Which of the following statements regarding the flood situation in Nuristan on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The military was deployed to support the relief effort.
(b) The United Nations was involved in assessing the disaster.
(c) The death toll was confirmed to be exactly 100 people.
(d) Dozens of shops and buildings were destroyed by the flood.
Explanation: The report stated that 23 people were killed and around 100 were unaccounted for, not that 100 people were confirmed dead. The other statements accurately reflect the relief and damage assessment efforts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]
#6668

Which sector was specifically identified as a primary contributor to the market recovery on July 21, 2026?

(a) Textile manufacturing
(b) Pharmaceutical production
(c) Banking and refinery
(d) Automobile assembly
Explanation: Banking and refinery stocks were the primary drivers of the late-session recovery, offsetting early losses. Other sectors like textiles or pharmaceuticals were not cited as the main contributors to the index's rebound. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]
#6669

According to the IMF review of May 2026, what was the level of Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves at the end of December 2025?

(a) 16.0 billion dollars
(b) 14.5 billion dollars
(c) 18.2 billion dollars
(d) 20.5 billion dollars
Explanation: The IMF report confirmed that foreign exchange reserves reached $16 billion by the end of December 2025, an increase from the $14.5 billion recorded in June 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#6670

Which of the following government officials were reported missing following the flash floods in Nuristan on July 21, 2026?

(a) The Provincial Governor
(b) The Mayor of Parun
(c) The Minister of Defense
(d) The Chief of Police
Explanation: The governor's office reported that the mayor of Parun was among those missing after the deluge. The provincial governor was not reported missing, and the defense minister is a national-level official. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]
#6671

Which Canadian Foreign Minister visited Islamabad in July 2026, marking the first such visit in nearly 20 years?

(a) Melanie Joly
(b) Anita Anand
(c) Marc Garneau
(d) Chrystia Freeland
Explanation: Anita Anand conducted the official visit to Pakistan in July 2026, which was noted as the first visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister to the country in approximately two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]
#6672

Consider the following statements about the July 2026 Canada-Pakistan diplomatic engagement: 1. Canada announced $45 million specifically for development assistance including climate resilience and girls' education. 2. The security assistance package of $2.2 million includes partnerships with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 3. Pakistan raised the Kashmir dispute during the bilateral talks with the Canadian Foreign Minister. 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 official outcomes of the visit. The aid is split between development ($45m) and security ($2.2m), and the Kashmir issue was formally raised by the Pakistani side. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]
#6673

Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in July 2026: 1. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi identified peace and security as key goals in relations with Islamabad. 2. Pakistan has previously mediated an interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran. 3. The Iranian Interior Minister held talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff. 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 events of July 21, 2026. The Foreign Minister emphasized security, Pakistan has a history of mediating the US-Iran conflict, and the Interior Minister's itinerary included meetings with the Prime Minister and the Army Chief. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]
#6674

Which Iranian official arrived in Islamabad on July 21, 2026, to hold talks regarding the US-Iran conflict?

(a) Eskander Momeni
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Mohammad Javad Zarif
(d) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
Explanation: Interior Minister Eskander Momeni arrived in Islamabad to discuss the US-Iran conflict with Pakistani leadership. Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister who remained in Tehran to receive the Pakistani ambassador. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]
#6675

What specific directive did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issue regarding petroleum products during the meeting on July 16, 2026?

(a) To increase the import of crude oil from regional partners
(b) To privatize the state-owned petroleum distribution network
(c) To take strict action against those creating artificial shortages
(d) To implement a total ban on private vehicle fuel consumption
Explanation: The Prime Minister directed provincial governments to take strict action against entities involved in creating artificial shortages of petroleum products to ensure supply stability. The other options were not part of the stated directives. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]
#6676

The intraday volatility on July 21, 2026, was primarily attributed to geopolitical tensions between which two nations?

(a) Pakistan and India
(b) Saudi Arabia and Yemen
(c) Russia and Ukraine
(d) United States and Iran
Explanation: The market volatility was explicitly linked to heightened tensions and exchanged strikes between the United States and Iran. This geopolitical friction caused a risk-off sentiment and an increase in international oil prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]
#6677

Who is the newly appointed Ambassador of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran as of July 2026?

(a) Mohsin Naqvi
(b) Imran Ahmed Siddiqui
(c) Syed Asim Munir
(d) None of these
Explanation: Imran Ahmed Siddiqui presented his credentials to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on July 21, 2026. Mohsin Naqvi is the Interior Minister of Pakistan, not the ambassador to Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]
#6678

Consider the following statements about the US-Pakistan trade negotiations as of July 2026: 1. Pakistan successfully negotiated a reduction in the initial IEEPA-based tariff from 29 per cent to 19 per cent in 2025. 2. The temporary global tariff of 10 per cent imposed under Section 122 is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026. 3. India is currently facing a lower proposed tariff under Section 301 than Pakistan. 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 regarding the 2025 tariff reduction. Statement 2 is correct as the Section 122 tariff has a 150-day statutory limit expiring on July 24, 2026. Statement 3 is incorrect because India faces a 12.5% tariff, which is higher than Pakistan's 10%. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016679/finance-minister-aurangzeb-arrives-in-us-on-3-day-visit-expected-to-hold-talks-on-trade-finance-investment, 19 Jul 2026]
#6679

On July 16, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review the economic impact of tensions between which two nations?

(a) Saudi Arabia and Yemen
(b) United States and Iran
(c) Israel and Lebanon
(d) None of these
Explanation: The meeting focused on the economic repercussions of renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran. Other regional conflicts, while significant, were not the primary subject of this specific policy review. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]
#6680

In the context of the July 16, 2026, meeting, which sector did the Prime Minister specifically mention as being protected by government subsidies?

(a) Large-scale manufacturing
(b) Fuel and energy consumers
(c) Information technology exports
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister highlighted that government subsidies were utilized to mitigate the impact of fuel price increases on ordinary citizens, including transport operators and motorcycle riders. This falls under the broader category of fuel and energy consumers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]