March 2025 Edition
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March 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#3481
Which of the following allegations was NOT made by the activists or rights groups regarding the police conduct during the March 2026 detention?
(a) Male personnel conducted body searches of female detainees
(b) Detainees were forced to sign fake affidavits
(c) Baton-charge was used against the activists
(d) Lawyers were granted immediate access to the detainees
Explanation: The activists specifically alleged that lawyers were denied access to the detainees, making the incorrect statement. The other options reflect the specific grievances raised during the press conference. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#3482
What percentage of official vehicles in federal and provincial government establishments are to be grounded for two months starting March 2026?
(a) 40 percent
(b) 50 percent
(c) 70 percent
(d) 60 percent
Explanation: The government ordered that 60 percent of official vehicles be grounded for a period of two months to conserve fuel. This is distinct from the 50 percent cut applied to fuel allowances. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980219/higher-education-goes-online-schools-shut-for-2-weeks-4-day-work-week-announced-as-austerity-measures, 09 Mar 2026]
#3483
Who is the current Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as of March 9, 2026?
(a) Ali Amin Gandapur
(b) Sohail Afridi
(c) Pervez Khattak
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sohail Afridi is identified as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the official government announcements regarding the fuel conservation measures. Ali Amin Gandapur is a former Chief Minister, making him a plausible but incorrect distractor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980154/kp-cuts-fuel-allowance-for-govt-vehicles-punjab-and-balochistan-close-schools-amid-global-oil-crisis, 09 Mar 2026]
#3484
Under which legal provision did the Islamabad police justify the detention of Aurat March activists in March 2026?
(a) Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code
(b) Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca)
(c) Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The police cited the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits public gatherings, as the primary legal basis for the arrests. While Peca was mentioned by activists as a problematic law, it was not the specific legal instrument cited by the police for this detention. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#3485
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad in March 2026: 1. The district administration had issued a formal No-Objection Certificate (NoC) for the Aurat March rally. 2. Relatives of the detained activists were also taken into custody when they arrived at the police station. 3. The activists claimed that the right to protest is a fundamental right that supersedes the imposition of Section 144. 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 district administration did not issue an NoC, which was one of the reasons cited for the arrests. Statements 2 and 3 are accurate reflections of the claims made by the activists and the HRCP. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#3486
Consider the following statements regarding the government's response to the March 2026 economic situation: 1. The Prime Minister directed that actionable proposals for austerity be presented within 48 hours. 2. The government announced a Rs55 per litre increase in petrol and high-speed diesel prices. 3. The Information Minister confirmed that the government would rely on private sector estimates for fuel pricing updates. 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 government's directives and the price hike announcement. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government emphasized that it would release accurate and verified information from official ministries, not private sector estimates. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979462/pm-tells-ministers-to-prepare-strategy-for-conserving-petroleum-products-ensuring-uninterrupted-supply, 07 Mar 2026]
#3487
On March 7, 2026, the Prime Minister directed which two federal ministers to visit provinces to coordinate petroleum conservation strategies?
(a) Finance and Petroleum
(b) Energy and Commerce
(c) Planning and Interior
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister specifically tasked the finance and petroleum ministers to engage with provincial governments to ensure supply stability and austerity. Other combinations of ministries are incorrect as they do not hold primary jurisdiction over fuel pricing and supply chain management. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979462/pm-tells-ministers-to-prepare-strategy-for-conserving-petroleum-products-ensuring-uninterrupted-supply, 07 Mar 2026]
#3488
Consider the following statements about the school closure directive in Sindh: 1. The closure applies to both public and private educational institutions. 2. The directive was issued by the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department. 3. The holiday was declared for March 11, 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 official notification. The closure encompasses both sectors, was issued by the relevant department, and is scheduled for the specified date in 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980177/public-private-schools-in-sindh-to-remain-closed-on-march-11-on-account-of-youm-i-ali, 09 Mar 2026]
#3489
Which provincial department issued the notification regarding the closure of schools on March 11, 2026?
(a) Sindh Higher Education Commission
(b) Sindh School Education and Literacy Department
(c) Sindh Board of Technical Education
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Sindh School Education and Literacy Department is the specific administrative body responsible for issuing directives regarding the closure of public and private schools in the province. Other bodies like the Higher Education Commission handle university-level affairs, not primary or secondary school closures. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980177/public-private-schools-in-sindh-to-remain-closed-on-march-11-on-account-of-youm-i-ali, 09 Mar 2026]
#3490
Consider the following statements about the administrative notification issued by the Sindh government on March 12, 2026: 1. The holiday was applicable to all government offices in the province. 2. The notification was issued to facilitate the closure of all private sector businesses. 3. Essential services were permitted to remain operational during the holiday. 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 3 are correct as the holiday applied to government offices and excluded essential services. Statement 2 is incorrect because the notification did not mandate the closure of private sector businesses. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#3491
Which of the following statements regarding the Sindh government's notification of March 12, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The holiday was declared for March 13, 2026.
(b) The notification explicitly stated the holiday was for Jummatul Wida.
(c) The notification applied to local councils under provincial control.
(d) Essential services were excluded from the holiday mandate.
Explanation: The official notification issued by the government did not state the reason for the holiday; the reason was provided separately by a minister. Therefore, stating the notification itself contained the reason is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#3492
The public holiday announced by the Sindh government on March 12, 2026, applied to which of the following entities?
(a) Private sector retail businesses
(b) Autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies
(c) International non-governmental organizations
(d) None of these
Explanation: The notification explicitly included autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies under the administrative control of the Sindh government. Private sector entities were not covered by this specific administrative order. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#3493
Which of the following is NOT a primary focus area mentioned in the March 2026 high-level meetings regarding national strategy?
(a) Institutional harmony
(b) Constitutional amendment drafting
(c) Energy supply pressures
(d) Regional security environment
Explanation: The meetings focused on national security, economic challenges, energy costs, and regional stability. Constitutional amendment drafting was not a stated agenda item for these specific consultative meetings. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986837/president-zardari-pm-shehbaz-review-regional-situation-implications-for-pakistan, 30 Mar 2026]
#3494
Consider the following statements about the political developments involving MQM-P in March 2026: 1. The MQM-P leadership views constitutional reform as a national security necessity. 2. Kamran Tessori was removed as the Governor of Sindh without prior consultation with the MQM-P. 3. The proposed 28th Amendment is primarily aimed at increasing the number of federal ministries. 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 accurate based on the party's public stance and the circumstances of the governor's removal. Statement 3 is incorrect because the amendment is focused on local government empowerment and participatory democracy, not the expansion of federal ministries. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985186/mqm-p-calls-for-revisiting-proposed-28th-amendment-transforming-feudal-democracy-into-participatory-democracy, 25 Mar 2026]
#3495
Who was appointed as the Governor of Sindh following the removal of Kamran Tessori in March 2026?
(a) Nehal Hashmi
(b) Mustafa Kamal
(c) Farooq Sattar
(d) Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui
Explanation: Nehal Hashmi, a PML-N stalwart, was sworn in as the Governor of Sindh after the removal of the MQM-P nominee Kamran Tessori. The other individuals listed are senior leaders of the MQM-P. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985186/mqm-p-calls-for-revisiting-proposed-28th-amendment-transforming-feudal-democracy-into-participatory-democracy, 25 Mar 2026]
#3496
On March 13, 2026, which Minister of State for Interior moved the bill in the National Assembly to transform the Frontier Constabulary into the Federal Constabulary?
(a) Tallal Chaudhry
(b) Syed Naveed Qamar
(c) Shahid Khattak
(d) Ghulam Mustafa Shah
Explanation: Tallal Chaudhry, as the Minister of State for Interior, presented the bill to the House. Syed Naveed Qamar is an MNA who proposed amendments, while Ghulam Mustafa Shah is the Deputy Speaker. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 13 Mar 2026]
#3497
Which Minister of State for Interior moved the bill in the National Assembly to transform the Frontier Constabulary into the Federal Constabulary on March 12, 2026?
(a) Shahid Khattak
(b) Syed Naveed Qamar
(c) Tallal Chaudhry
(d) Ghulam Mustafa Shah
Explanation: Tallal Chaudhry, the Minister of State for Interior, moved the bill in the National Assembly. Syed Naveed Qamar is a PPP MNA who proposed amendments, while Ghulam Mustafa Shah served as the Deputy Speaker during the session. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-of-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 12 Mar 2026]
#3498
Which of the following statements regarding the legislative status of the Federal Constabulary bill on March 13, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The bill sought to shift all powers and assets of the FC to the Federal Constabulary.
(b) The bill was introduced through a supplementary agenda.
(c) The bill faced criticism for granting the federal government broad authority to use the force nationwide.
(d) The bill was successfully passed by both Houses of Parliament on the same day.
Explanation: The bill was NOT passed; the legislative process was halted due to a lack of quorum. The other statements accurately reflect the content and procedural context of the bill. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 13 Mar 2026]
#3499
Which parliamentary official presided over the National Assembly session on March 13, 2026, when the quorum issue was raised?
(a) Speaker of the National Assembly
(b) Chairman of the Senate
(c) Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly
(d) Leader of the Opposition
Explanation: Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah was presiding over the session when the opposition pointed out the lack of quorum. The Speaker and Chairman of the Senate were not the presiding officers for this specific session. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 13 Mar 2026]
#3500
Which of the following statements regarding the legislative events of March 12, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The bill sought to shift all powers and assets of the FC to the Federal Constabulary.
(b) The opposition protested by tearing apart copies of the agenda.
(c) Amendments proposed by Syed Naveed Qamar were approved before the session was prorogued.
(d) The Deputy Speaker immediately accepted the opposition's call for a count of members.
Explanation: The Deputy Speaker, Ghulam Mustafa Shah, ignored the opposition's initial calls for a count of members. He only acted after the lack of quorum was formally pointed out by an MNA. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-of-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 12 Mar 2026]