May 2025 Edition
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May 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#3941
Consider the following statements about the 75th-anniversary ceremony held in May 2026: 1. President Asif Ali Zardari attended the ceremony in Islamabad. 2. The ceremony marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. 3. The Prime Minister stated that the world can move forward without China's technological and industrial contribution. 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. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Prime Minister emphasized that the world cannot move forward without China, given its industrial and technological advancements. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002044/pm-shehbaz-lauds-steadfast-pak-china-friendship-says-beijing-supported-islamabad-in-unwavering-fashion, 21 May 2026]
#3942
Which French official announced the entry ban against Itamar Ben-Gvir on May 23, 2026?
(a) Jean-Noel Barrot
(b) Antonio Costa
(c) Kaja Kallas
(d) None of these
Explanation: Jean-Noel Barrot is the French Foreign Minister who officially announced the ban on X. Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas are European Union officials who condemned the actions but did not issue the French national ban. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002539/france-bans-israeli-security-minister-ben-gvir-from-country, 23 May 2026]
#3943
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic events of May 2026: 1. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran twice in less than a week to facilitate negotiations. 2. The first round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad resulted in a signed comprehensive peace agreement. 3. Field Marshal Asim Munir held meetings with Iranian officials to discuss regional peace and US-Iran talks. 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 Interior Minister made multiple trips to Tehran. Statement 2 is incorrect because the first round of talks ended without an agreement. Statement 3 is correct as the CDF's visit was explicitly for mediation and discussion of regional peace. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002286/cdf-asim-munir-arrives-in-iran-as-part-of-ongoing-mediation-efforts-ispr, 22 May 2026]
#3944
Consider the following statements about the water situation on the Chenab River as of 2026-07-24: 1. The rise in water levels is attributed to rainfall in the upper catchment areas. 2. The government has compared current water levels with historical data from 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2025. 3. The Chenab River has the capacity to generate extreme flooding independently without external rainfall. 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 per the Commissioner's testimony. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Commissioner specifically noted that the river does not have the capacity to generate extreme flooding independently. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431517/senate-panel-told-govt-unaware-of-indias-chenab-water-release, 24 Jul 2026]
#3945
Which of the following is NOT a category of business exempted from the 9pm closing time in Sindh as per the May 2026 notification?
(a) Wedding halls
(b) Shopping malls
(c) Food outlets
(d) Public sector offices
Explanation: The notification specifically exempted commercial entities like wedding halls, shopping malls, and food outlets from the 9pm closing time. Public sector offices were not included in this commercial market timing exemption. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000676/sindh-lifts-curbs-on-market-timings-minister-says-step-taken-to-facilitate-businesses-citizens, 16 May 2026]
#3946
Who announced the decision to lift market timing restrictions in Sindh on May 16, 2026?
(a) Murad Ali Shah
(b) Sharjeel Memon
(c) Saeed Ghani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sharjeel Memon, serving as the Sindh Senior Minister, officially announced the exemption of markets and businesses from fixed closing times. Murad Ali Shah is the Chief Minister, but the specific announcement regarding this policy shift was attributed to the Senior Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000676/sindh-lifts-curbs-on-market-timings-minister-says-step-taken-to-facilitate-businesses-citizens, 16 May 2026]
#3947
The humanitarian aid convoy involved in the incident on May 23, 2026, was known as the:
(a) Mediterranean Aid Mission
(b) Freedom Gaza Convoy
(c) Global Sumud Flotilla
(d) Humanity First Fleet
Explanation: The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza. The other options are plausible-sounding but incorrect names for this specific 2026 event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002539/france-bans-israeli-security-minister-ben-gvir-from-country, 23 May 2026]
#3948
Consider the following statements about the market timing policies in May 2026: 1. The federal government announced a nationwide 8pm market closure policy on April 6, 2026. 2. The Sindh government's decision to lift curbs was intended to facilitate businesses and citizens. 3. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government requested citizens to continue observing electricity conservation measures despite lifting timing restrictions. 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. The federal government did announce the 8pm policy in April, Sindh cited facilitation as the reason for the change, and KP explicitly requested continued electricity conservation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000676/sindh-lifts-curbs-on-market-timings-minister-says-step-taken-to-facilitate-businesses-citizens, 16 May 2026]
#3949
What is the revised markup rate fixed by the federal government for development loans and advances for the fiscal year 2025-26?
(a) 10.30 percent
(b) 17.74 percent
(c) 11.89 percent
(d) 17.84 percent
Explanation: The Ministry of Finance fixed the markup rate at 11.89 percent for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This represents a significant reduction from the 17.74 percent rate applied in the previous fiscal year. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018194/centre-cuts-markup-on-uplift-loans-to-1189pc, 24 Jul 2026]
#3950
Who received Field Marshal Asim Munir upon his arrival in Tehran on May 22, 2026?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Eskandar Momeni
(c) Steve Witkoff
(d) None of these
Explanation: Eskandar Momeni, the Iranian Minister for Interior, officially received the Pakistani delegation at the airport. Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian Foreign Minister, and Steve Witkoff is a US Special Envoy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002286/cdf-asim-munir-arrives-in-iran-as-part-of-ongoing-mediation-efforts-ispr, 22 May 2026]
#3951
Which of the following is NOT a primary issue impeding progress in the US-Iran negotiations as of May 2026?
(a) Iran's nuclear programme
(b) Strait of Hormuz security
(c) Sanctions relief
(d) Global climate change accords
Explanation: The primary impediments to the negotiations are nuclear programs, sanctions relief, and regional security concerns like the Strait of Hormuz. Global climate change accords are not cited as a factor in the current diplomatic deadlock. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002286/cdf-asim-munir-arrives-in-iran-as-part-of-ongoing-mediation-efforts-ispr, 22 May 2026]
#3952
Which of the following statements regarding the security operations reported on May 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The operations were conducted over a period of 72 hours.
(b) The operations resulted in the death of 23 terrorists.
(c) Security forces discovered and destroyed complex underground tunnels and bunkers.
(d) Weapons and a large cache of explosives were recovered from the terrorists.
Explanation: The ISPR statement specified that the operations were conducted over the last 48 hours, not 72 hours. The other statements accurately reflect the findings and outcomes of the reported IBOs. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002065/security-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-multiple-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-ibos-ispr, 21 May 2026]
#3953
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic response to the incident on May 23, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The United Kingdom summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in Britain.
(b) New Zealand announced it would summon the Israeli ambassador to express concerns.
(c) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Australia had already sanctioned Ben-Gvir.
(d) The United States officially joined France in imposing a travel ban on Ben-Gvir.
Explanation: While the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned the actions, there is no report that the United States joined France in imposing a formal travel ban. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic actions taken by the respective nations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002539/france-bans-israeli-security-minister-ben-gvir-from-country, 23 May 2026]
#3954
Consider the following statements about the migrant smuggling incident: 1. The smuggling operation spanned from April 2023 through May 2026. 2. The migrants were discovered in a shipping container at a rail yard in San Antonio. 3. The outside temperatures during the transit exceeded 31 degrees Celsius. 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. Statement 2 is incorrect because the migrants were discovered in Laredo, not San Antonio, which was the intended destination of the train. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018220/11-indicted-in-us-over-migrants-deaths-on-train, 24 Jul 2026]
#3955
Consider the following statements about the provincial government's stance on Karachi's infrastructure: 1. The provincial government plans to develop a railway line to transport goods directly to the Northern Bypass. 2. The minister claimed that the federal government has prioritized Karachi in the development of the national motorway network. 3. The provincial government has acknowledged that its recent infrastructure decisions may cause temporary hardship for the public. 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 government is developing a railway line for freight. Statement 2 is incorrect because the minister explicitly lamented the 'low priority' given to Karachi by the federal government. Statement 3 is correct as the minister apologized for the hardships caused by difficult provincial decisions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005655/sharjeel-laments-low-priority-accorded-to-karachi-by-centre, 06 Jun 2026]
#3956
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]
#3957
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]
#3958
Who is the current Mayor of New York whose official residence was the site of the 2026 protest and explosive incident?
(a) Eric Adams
(b) Zohran Mamdani
(c) Bill de Blasio
(d) None of these
Explanation: Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York identified in the report as the official whose residence, Gracie Mansion, was the location of the protest and subsequent explosive incident. Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio are former mayors and serve as plausible distractors. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980194/pair-charged-with-terrorist-offences-for-throwing-explosives-near-a-protest-outside-new-york-mayor-mamdanis-residence, 09 Mar 2026]
#3959
In which areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the intelligence-based operations conducted on May 21, 2026?
(a) Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu
(b) Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Wana
(c) Mir Ali, Razmak, and Khyber
(d) None of these
Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that the operations conducted over the 48-hour period leading to May 21, 2026, were focused in the areas of Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu. Other locations like Tank and Dera Ismail Khan have been sites of separate operations but were not the primary focus of this specific report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002065/security-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-multiple-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-ibos-ispr, 21 May 2026]
#3960
Which of the following Iranian officials did Field Marshal Asim Munir NOT meet during his visit to Tehran in May 2026?
(a) Masoud Pezeshkian
(b) Ali Khamenei
(c) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(d) Abbas Araghchi
Explanation: Field Marshal Asim Munir met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. There is no mention of a meeting with the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in the official reports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002541/encouraging-progress-made-during-cdf-munirs-tehran-visit-ispr, 23 May 2026]