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.
#5461
Which authority issued a clarification regarding the status of flight operations at Islamabad International Airport on March 13, 2026?
(a) Civil Aviation Authority
(b) Pakistan Airports Authority
(c) Ministry of Defence
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued statements to clarify that flight operations were continuing without interruption, countering rumors of an airport closure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981736/2-rudimentary-drones-intercepted-brought-down-at-different-locations-adjacent-to-pindi-security-sources, 13 Mar 2026]
#5462
Who was officially appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran in March 2026?
(a) Ali Khamenei
(b) Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
(c) Ruhollah Khomeini
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei was announced as the new Supreme Leader following the martyrdom of his predecessor. Ali Khamenei was the previous leader, and Ruhollah Khomeini was the founder of the Islamic Republic. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981500/read-the-full-text-of-irans-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khameneis-first-address, 12 Mar 2026]
#5463
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]
#5464
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]
#5465
Consider the following statements about the drone interception incident on March 13, 2026: 1. The drones were identified as rudimentary in nature. 2. The Afghan defence ministry claimed that a military center was targeted at Faizabad. 3. The Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed that flight operations were suspended for 24 hours due to the security threat. 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 reports. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Pakistan Airports Authority explicitly denied that flight operations were closed, stating they continued without interruption. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981736/2-rudimentary-drones-intercepted-brought-down-at-different-locations-adjacent-to-pindi-security-sources, 13 Mar 2026]
#5466
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic visit on March 12, 2026: 1. The visit was conducted at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince. 2. The discussions focused exclusively on bilateral trade agreements. 3. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the Kingdom's long-standing support to 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: The visit was indeed at the invitation of the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister conveyed appreciation for the Kingdom's support. However, the discussions were focused on regional security and tensions, not exclusively on trade. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981279/in-restricted-meeting-with-saudi-crown-prince-pm-shehbaz-assures-him-of-pakistans-full-solidarity-support, 12 Mar 2026]
#5467
Consider the following statements about the situation in occupied Kashmir as of March 2026: 1. The closure of the Jama Masjid in Srinagar was compared to the restrictions placed on Masjid al-Aqsa. 2. The Foreign Office of Pakistan has demanded that the United Nations take notice of the religious freedom violations. 3. The restrictions on religious gatherings in the valley have been in place for over two decades.
(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 official reports. Statement 3 is incorrect because the specific policy of sealing the mosque on the last Friday of Ramazan has been occurring for seven years, not two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981738/fo-condemns-continued-closure-of-historic-mosque-in-occupied-kashmir-on-last-friday-of-ramazan, 13 Mar 2026]
#5468
Consider the following statements about the intelligence-based operation conducted on July 18, 2026: 1. The operation took place near the Tank-Dera Ismail Khan Road. 2. The terrorist was wanted for the killing of a CTD constable in 2025. 3. The terrorist surrendered immediately upon being surrounded by the CTD.
(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 operation occurred on the specified road and the individual was wanted for the 2025 killing of Constable Muhammad Ali. Statement 3 is incorrect because the terrorist refused to surrender and opened fire on the personnel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016443/wanted-terrorist-killed-in-intelligence-based-operation-in-dera-ismail-khan-ctd, 18 Jul 2026]
#5469
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]
#5470
The government's petroleum and carbon levy was announced in June 2025 as part of a commitment to which international organization?
(a) World Bank
(b) Asian Development Bank
(c) World Trade Organization
(d) International Monetary Fund
Explanation: The petroleum and carbon levy was implemented under an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The World Bank and ADB are common distractors in fiscal policy contexts but were not the primary parties to this specific levy agreement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017280/jamaat-i-islami-announces-nationwide-road-blockade-against-petroleum-levy, 21 Jul 2026]
#5471
Under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in September 2025, how are attacks on Pakistan or Saudi Arabia to be treated?
(a) As a violation of the UN Charter only
(b) As a matter for the Arab League to resolve
(c) As an act of aggression against both nations
(d) As a localized conflict requiring neutral mediation
Explanation: The 2025 agreement establishes a framework where an attack on one signatory is considered an act of aggression against the other, reinforcing the deep security ties between Islamabad and Riyadh. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017517/islamabad-condemns-houthis-threats-to-riyadh-warns-against-targeting-pakistani-maritime-interests, 22 Jul 2026]
#5472
Which media organization's X accounts were banned by the UAE in March 2026?
(a) Al-Arabiya
(b) Al-Jazeera
(c) Sky News Arabia
(d) Asharq News
Explanation: The UAE banned the X accounts of the Saudi-owned television network Al-Arabiya in March 2026 during a period of heightened diplomatic tension. This action was a notable example of the friction that the July 2026 social media posts sought to address. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017482/saudi-uae-ministers-use-social-media-to-signal-unity-after-months-of-tension, 22 Jul 2026]
#5473
The primary surplus achieved by Pakistan during the period of July 2025 to April 2026 was:
(a) 3.5 percent of GDP
(b) 3.0 percent of GDP
(c) 2.5 percent of GDP
(d) 4.0 percent of GDP
Explanation: Effective expenditure management and revenue mobilization efforts enabled the government to achieve a primary surplus of 3.5 percent of GDP during the Jul-Apr period of the 2026 fiscal year. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011978/govt-expects-easing-inflationary-pressure-in-new-fiscal-year-following-reopening-of-strait-of-hormuz, 30 Jun 2026]
#5474
According to the Ministry of Finance, the current account recorded a surplus of how much during the period of July 2025 to May 2026?
(a) 155 million dollars
(b) 255 million dollars
(c) 355 million dollars
(d) None of these
Explanation: The external sector remained stable, with the current account recording a surplus of 255 million dollars during the Jul-May period of the 2026 fiscal year, supported by remittances and IT exports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011978/govt-expects-easing-inflationary-pressure-in-new-fiscal-year-following-reopening-of-strait-of-hormuz, 30 Jun 2026]
#5475
What is the official name given by the state to the military conflict that occurred between Pakistan and India in 2025?
(a) Marka-i-Haq
(b) Operation Bunyanum Marsoos
(c) Operation Sentinel
(d) Battle of the Frontier
Explanation: The state designated the entire conflict as 'Marka-i-Haq' (Battle of Truth). Operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a specific military operation conducted during that period. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998318/we-are-prepared-dg-ispr-highlights-indigenous-military-capabilities-on-marka-i-haq-anniversary, 07 May 2026]
#5476
Consider the following statements about the Marka-i-Haq conflict: 1. The conflict escalation period lasted from April 2025 to May 2025. 2. The DG ISPR criticized the Indian military leadership for becoming politicized. 3. The conflict began with the Pahalgam incident. 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 text. The conflict spanned from the April 2025 Pahalgam incident to the May 2025 ceasefire, and the DG ISPR specifically highlighted the politicization of the Indian military as a strategic consequence. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998318/we-are-prepared-dg-ispr-highlights-indigenous-military-capabilities-on-marka-i-haq-anniversary, 07 May 2026]
#5477
Which of the following statements regarding the 2025 Cambridge examination leaks is INCORRECT?
(a) Three question papers were partially leaked across Pakistan.
(b) The leaked papers included AS/A Level Computer Science Paper 22.
(c) The leaks were limited exclusively to O Level subjects.
(d) CIE offered free November 2025 resits for impacted candidates.
Explanation: The 2025 leaks specifically impacted AS and A Level papers, including Mathematics and Computer Science, not O Level subjects. Therefore, the statement claiming the leaks were limited to O Level is false. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1996140/amid-furore-on-social-media-cambridge-says-aware-of-reports-about-question-paper-leak, 29 Apr 2026]
#5478
Consider the following statements about the IMF-Pakistan economic program: 1. The staff-level agreement for the current disbursement was reached on March 27, 2026. 2. The primary surplus target for the FY26 budget is set at 1.6 percent. 3. The IMF program aims to ensure inflation remains within the State Bank of Pakistan's target range. 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 staff-level agreement date, the fiscal primary surplus target, and the inflation objectives set by the IMF and the State Bank of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995256/imf-executive-board-to-meet-on-may-8-to-approve-disbursement-of-over-12bn-to-pakistan, 26 Apr 2026]
#5479
Consider the following statements about the Senate vehicle procurement controversy: 1. The vehicle was purchased during the 2024-2025 financial year. 2. The Senate Secretariat claimed the purchase was part of a transparent procurement process. 3. The vehicle was delivered to the Senate Chairperson in May 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: Statement 1 is correct as the purchase occurred in the 2024-2025 financial year. Statement 2 is correct as the Secretariat cited a transparent procurement process. Statement 3 is incorrect because the vehicle was delivered in March 2026, not May 2025 (which was when the payment was made). [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982703/rebuttal-on-purchase-of-luxury-vehicle-for-yousaf-raza-gilani-from-senate-budget-leaves-questions-unanswered, 16 Mar 2026]
#5480
Consider the following statements about the military actions conducted during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq: 1. Pakistan targeted Afghan military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar on the night of March 16, 2026. 2. The operation targeted drone storage and technical support infrastructure used for attacks against Pakistan. 3. The government claimed that civilian populations were the primary target of the precision engagements. 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 they align with the official report of the strikes on March 16. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government explicitly stated that no civilian population or infrastructure was targeted. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1983439/pakistan-announces-temporary-pause-in-operation-ghazab-lil-haq-against-afghan-taliban, 18 Mar 2026]