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.
#4521
What was the primary reason cited for the increase in RLNG prices for March 2026?
(a) Decrease in global crude oil production
(b) Increase in terminal charges and import-related costs
(c) Government decision to increase petroleum taxes
(d) Expansion of the national gas pipeline network
Explanation: Ogra attributed the price hike to higher terminal charges, import-related costs, and the delivered ex-ship (DES) price. These factors directly impact the cost structure of imported gas. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981311/ogra-notifies-massive-increase-in-rlng-price-for-march, 12 Mar 2026]
#4522
Which of the following entities is explicitly exempted from the four-day work week policy according to the March 2026 austerity review?
(a) Ministry of Petroleum
(b) Ministry of Finance
(c) Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
(d) Prime Minister's Office
Explanation: The meeting chaired by the Prime Minister clarified that the four-day work week policy does not apply to law enforcement agencies and the FBR, as they must maintain normal operational duties. Other ministries are expected to adhere to the austerity-driven work schedule. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982016/employees-of-soes-other-govt-supervised-bodies-to-face-5-30pc-salary-cut-as-part-of-austerity-measures-pmo, 14 Mar 2026]
#4523
Which of the following sectors was explicitly identified as having vast export potential during the meeting held on March 15, 2026?
(a) Textiles and garments
(b) Automobile manufacturing
(c) Information technology
(d) Meat and dairy
Explanation: The official briefing highlighted that Pakistan's agricultural sector, specifically including meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood, possesses significant export potential. Textiles and IT were not the focus of this food-security-centric meeting. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982358/pm-shehbaz-directs-formulation-of-strategy-for-exporting-surplus-food-items-to-gulf-countries, 15 Mar 2026]
#4524
What technology did Pakistani forces utilize to shoot down three drones belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij during the March 2026 operations?
(a) Surface-to-air missiles
(b) Anti-aircraft artillery
(c) Electronic warfare
(d) Laser-guided interceptors
Explanation: Security sources reported that electronic warfare systems were successfully employed to neutralize the drones. This reflects the military's capability to counter asymmetric aerial threats. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981638/info-minister-says-pakistan-targeted-terrorists-support-infrastructure-in-afghanistan-overnight, 13 Mar 2026]
#4525
Which of the following is NOT a component of the austerity measures announced by the government in March 2026?
(a) A complete ban on the purchase of new government vehicles
(b) A ban on foreign visits for ministers and special assistants
(c) The redirection of board participation fees to government savings
(d) An immediate increase in the salaries of civil servants to combat inflation
Explanation: The government is implementing salary cuts, not increases, to manage fiscal deficits. The other options are all verified components of the austerity package. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982016/employees-of-soes-other-govt-supervised-bodies-to-face-5-30pc-salary-cut-as-part-of-austerity-measures-pmo, 14 Mar 2026]
#4526
Consider the following statements regarding the austerity measures reviewed on March 14, 2026: 1. The government has imposed a complete ban on foreign visits for ministers and special assistants. 2. Savings generated from austerity measures are designated exclusively for public relief. 3. The government decided to increase the fuel allotment for official vehicles to ensure mobility during the crisis. 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 as they reflect the official policy of banning foreign travel and using savings for public welfare. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government actually mandated a 50% cut in fuel allotment for official vehicles, not an increase. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982016/employees-of-soes-other-govt-supervised-bodies-to-face-5-30pc-salary-cut-as-part-of-austerity-measures-pmo, 14 Mar 2026]
#4527
Which of the following statements regarding the security situation in Bajaur as of March 13, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The abducted policeman was taken from the premises of the Badan police station.
(b) Four police officers were martyred in a patrol party attack in February 2026.
(c) A police officer was martyred in a fire attack on a police post in War Mamund in the week preceding the incident.
(d) Law enforcement personnel have faced an increasing number of attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recently.
Explanation: The police spokesperson explicitly dismissed reports that the officer was abducted from the Badan police station. The other statements accurately reflect the security context described in the reports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981729/abducted-policeman-found-dead-in-kps-bajaur, 13 Mar 2026]
#4528
Consider the following statements about RLNG pricing and distribution in Pakistan: 1. The final sale price of RLNG includes profit margins for importers like Pakistan State Oil. 2. Unaccounted For Gas (UFG) refers to system losses that contribute to higher distribution costs. 3. The basket price for March 2026 was calculated based on a higher volume of cargoes compared to February 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: Statement 1 and 2 are correct as they describe the cost components and the impact of UFG. Statement 3 is incorrect because the number of cargoes decreased from eight in February to only two in March. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981311/ogra-notifies-massive-increase-in-rlng-price-for-march, 12 Mar 2026]
#4529
Consider the following statements about the medical disclosure of Benjamin Netanyahu: 1. The prostate cancer was identified as an early-stage malignant tumor. 2. The medical report indicated that the Prime Minister is currently in poor health. 3. The Prime Minister visited a Jerusalem cafe in March 2026 to refute rumors regarding his death.
(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 tumor was early-stage and malignant. Statement 2 is incorrect because the report stated he was in good health. Statement 3 is correct as he visited a cafe to refute death rumors. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994721/netanyahu-says-he-was-successfully-treated-for-prostate-cancer, 24 Apr 2026]
#4530
Consider the following statements about the events of March 14, 2026: 1. The drone attacks resulted in injuries to civilians in Quetta, Kohat, and Rawalpindi. 2. The Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed that Islamabad International Airport was permanently closed due to the security threat. 3. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the drone attacks as an attempt to target civilian areas. 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 locations of the injuries. Statement 3 is correct as the President condemned the targeting of civilians. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Pakistan Airports Authority clarified that reports of the airport's closure were baseless. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981957/rudimentary-drones-launched-by-afghan-taliban-injure-4-failed-to-reach-targets-ispr, 14 Mar 2026]
#4531
What was the age of the police officer, Shah Munir Khan, who was killed in Bajaur in March 2026?
(a) 48 years
(b) 62 years
(c) 58 years
(d) 54 years
Explanation: Official reports identified the victim as 54-year-old Shah Munir Khan. The other options represent plausible age ranges for a senior police officer but are factually incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981729/abducted-policeman-found-dead-in-kps-bajaur, 13 Mar 2026]
#4532
The system losses at the distribution stage for Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) were reported at what percentage in March 2026?
(a) 7.47 percent
(b) 9.00 percent
(c) 10.60 percent
(d) 12.55 percent
Explanation: The report specifies that SSGCL's system losses at the distribution stage reached 12.55 percent. The other figures represent either previous levels or the losses associated with SNGPL. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981311/ogra-notifies-massive-increase-in-rlng-price-for-march, 12 Mar 2026]
#4533
Which of the following statements regarding the RLNG pricing notification for March 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The total number of cargoes imported in March 2026 was eight.
(b) The price increase for SSGCL at the transmission stage was 22 percent.
(c) The price increase for SNGPL at the transmission stage was 19.3 percent.
(d) The RLNG price increase was influenced by terminal charges.
Explanation: Only two cargoes were imported in March 2026, not eight. The other statements accurately reflect the data provided in the notification. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981311/ogra-notifies-massive-increase-in-rlng-price-for-march, 12 Mar 2026]
#4534
Consider the following statements about the events of March 2026: 1. Benjamin Netanyahu used his X account to address rumors of his death. 2. The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed that he had been injured in a strike. 3. The rumors were linked to an ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli strikes on Iran. 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 he posted a video on X. Statement 3 is correct as the context was the ongoing regional conflict. Statement 2 is false because his office explicitly stated he was fine and dismissed the rumors as fake news. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982385/i-am-dead-for-coffee-israeli-pm-netanyahu-posts-his-video-amid-speculation-about-his-death, 15 Mar 2026]
#4535
By what percentage have fuel costs for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) risen due to the Gulf crisis as of March 12, 2026?
(a) 24 percent
(b) 44 percent
(c) 34 percent
(d) 54 percent
Explanation: The PIA spokesman confirmed that fuel costs surged by 34 percent due to the regional conflict. This increase directly necessitated the adjustment of fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981330/pia-raises-fuel-surcharge-as-gulf-crisis-drives-up-costs, 12 Mar 2026]
#4536
Who issued the notification regarding the public holiday for educational institutions in Islamabad on March 13, 2026?
(a) The Prime Minister of Pakistan
(b) The Minister of Federal Education
(c) The Islamabad Deputy Commissioner
(d) The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court
Explanation: The notification was shared by the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Nawaz Memon, via his official social media account. The Deputy Commissioner holds the administrative authority to issue such directives within the Islamabad Capital Territory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981400/educational-institutions-to-remain-closed-in-islamabad-on-friday, 12 Mar 2026]
#4537
Consider the following statements about the US-China summit in May 2026: 1. This visit marks the first time a US president has visited China in nearly ten years. 2. President Trump initially delayed the visit from March due to the war in the Middle East. 3. The US delegation includes the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence. 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 report. The visit is the first in nearly a decade, the delay was caused by the Middle East conflict, and both the Secretary of State (Marco Rubio) and Secretary of Defence (Pete Hegseth) were confirmed to be on the flight. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999895/trump-arrives-in-beijing-for-high-stakes-meeting-with-chinese-president-xi, 13 May 2026]
#4538
Consider the following statements about the administrative decision regarding the March 13, 2026 holiday in Islamabad: 1. The holiday applies to all educational institutions within the Islamabad Capital Territory. 2. The notification was released by the office of the Deputy Commissioner. 3. The notification provided a detailed justification for the holiday based on religious observance. 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 the holiday covers all institutions in the ICT and was issued by the Deputy Commissioner. Statement 3 is incorrect because the notification did not specify a reason for the holiday. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981400/educational-institutions-to-remain-closed-in-islamabad-on-friday, 12 Mar 2026]
#4539
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]
#4540
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]