August 2026 Edition
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August 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#4641
Consider the following statements about the political transition in Gaza as of July 2026: 1. Hamas has officially dissolved its government emergency committee to facilitate the transition to the NCAG. 2. The NCAG has been operating from within Gaza City for the past six months. 3. The issue of Hamas's disarmament remains a primary unresolved obstacle to the peace process. 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 dissolution was announced on July 6, 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NCAG has remained based outside of Gaza for months due to Israeli objections. Statement 3 is correct as disarmament remains the central point of contention stalling the second phase of the ceasefire. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013378/hamas-announces-dissolution-of-gaza-governing-body, 06 Jul 2026]
#4642
On July 10, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation regarding regional stability with which Iranian leader?
(a) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
(b) Masoud Pezeshkian
(c) Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with President Masoud Pezeshkian to express concern over the escalation of hostilities. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the late supreme leader, while Mojtaba Khamenei is the current supreme leader, making them incorrect in the context of the presidential call. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2014422/pm-shehbaz-calls-on-iran-other-parties-not-to-jeopardise-hard-earned-peace-gains, 10 Jul 2026]
#4643
Who is the head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) as of July 2026?
(a) Ismail al-Thawabta
(b) Ali Shaath
(c) Mohammed al-Farra
(d) Hazem Qassem
Explanation: Ali Shaath is the designated head of the NCAG, the technocratic body tasked with assuming administrative control in Gaza. Ismail al-Thawabta serves as the head of Hamas's government media office, while Mohammed al-Farra was the head of the committee that was dissolved. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013378/hamas-announces-dissolution-of-gaza-governing-body, 06 Jul 2026]
#4644
Which of the following is NOT a topic discussed during the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister on June 6, 2026?
(a) The upcoming visit to Tehran
(b) The recent SCO conference in Bishkek
(c) The overall law and order situation in Pakistan
(d) The formal declaration of war against regional adversaries
Explanation: The meeting focused on diplomatic visits, regional security, and domestic law and order. There was no discussion regarding a formal declaration of war, making option D the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005678/pm-shehbaz-meets-interior-minister-ahead-of-naqvis-iran-visit, 06 Jun 2026]
#4645
Who served as the Information Minister of Pakistan during the announcement of the temporary pause in March 2026?
(a) Shibli Faraz
(b) Marriyum Aurangzeb
(c) Fawad Chaudhry
(d) Attaullah Tarar
Explanation: Attaullah Tarar, as the Information Minister, officially announced the temporary pause in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on March 18, 2026. The other individuals listed are former information ministers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984967/clerics-from-pakistan-afghanistan-appeal-to-authorities-to-extend-pause-in-fighting-till-eidul-azha, 24 Mar 2026]
#4646
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 ceasefire initiative is INCORRECT?
(a) The ceasefire was initially announced to last for a period of approximately one month.
(b) The initiative involves diplomatic and social efforts by tribal leaders and scholars.
(c) The pause was intended to facilitate a peaceful atmosphere for the Hajj pilgrimage.
(d) Mutasim Agha Jan expressed support for the extension to allow time for negotiations.
Explanation: The ceasefire was announced from midnight March 18-19 to midnight March 23-24, which is a duration of less than one week, not one month. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984967/clerics-from-pakistan-afghanistan-appeal-to-authorities-to-extend-pause-in-fighting-till-eidul-azha, 24 Mar 2026]
#4647
Consider the following statements about the 2026 border situation: 1. Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban. 2. The joint statement by clerics was signed by eleven Pakistani and eleven Afghan scholars. 3. The peace movement is restricted solely to the extension of the current ceasefire. 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 3 is incorrect because the clerics explicitly stated that the peace movement would not be restricted to the ceasefire extension but would include broader diplomatic and social efforts. Statements 1 and 2 are factually accurate based on the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984967/clerics-from-pakistan-afghanistan-appeal-to-authorities-to-extend-pause-in-fighting-till-eidul-azha, 24 Mar 2026]
#4648
Who is the new Supreme Leader of Iran as of March 2026?
(a) Ali Khamenei
(b) Mojtaba Khamenei
(c) Hassan Rouhani
(d) Ebrahim Raisi
Explanation: Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Ali Khamenei is the former leader, while the other names are not current holders of this position. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984191/trump-says-considering-winding-down-iran-war-but-rules-out-ceasefire, 21 Mar 2026]
#4649
Consider the following statements about the regional situation as of July 12, 2026: 1. Pakistan has officially expressed deep concern over the escalation in the Middle East. 2. The United States and Iran have engaged in fresh strikes against each other. 3. The Islamabad MoU was signed in February 2026 to initiate the conflict. 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 factually correct based on the Foreign Office statement and the reported military activities. Statement 3 is incorrect because the MoU was signed in June 2026, not February, and it was intended to end the war, not initiate it. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2014857/pakistan-expresses-deep-concern-over-middle-east-escalation-urges-all-sides-to-exercise-restraint, 12 Jul 2026]
#4650
Who is the current Interior Minister of Iran mentioned in the context of the June 2026 diplomatic meetings?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(c) Eskandar Momeni
(d) Masoud Pezeshkian
Explanation: Eskandar Momeni is the Iranian Interior Minister who held bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart. Abbas Araghchi serves as the Foreign Minister, while Masoud Pezeshkian is the President of Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005678/pm-shehbaz-meets-interior-minister-ahead-of-naqvis-iran-visit, 06 Jun 2026]
#4651
Consider the following statements about Pakistan's diplomatic engagements in 2026: 1. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding a potential ceasefire. 2. The Foreign Office of Pakistan has officially condemned the Iranian government for the ongoing regional instability. 3. Pakistan has emphasized that dialogue is the only viable path to resolving the current Middle Eastern conflict. 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 they reflect the government's active diplomatic efforts. Statement 2 is incorrect because Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Iran rather than condemning its government. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1983074/dar-stresses-dialogue-diplomacy-for-achieving-regional-peace-in-meeting-with-iranian-ambassador, 17 Mar 2026]
#4652
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic engagements of the Interior Minister in 2026: 1. The Interior Minister held meetings with the Iranian President and the Parliament Speaker during his visit to Tehran. 2. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a unified strategy among institutions to enhance national security. 3. The US-Iran conflict is currently governed by a stable and permanent peace treaty signed in early 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: Statements 1 and 2 are factually correct based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the conflict is described as being in a 'shaky ceasefire' rather than a stable or permanent peace treaty. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005678/pm-shehbaz-meets-interior-minister-ahead-of-naqvis-iran-visit, 06 Jun 2026]
#4653
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic events of April 25, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad with the intention of permanently ending the war through a US-led ceasefire.
(b) President Trump cited the long travel time as a reason for cancelling the US envoys' visit.
(c) The Iranian Foreign Minister held a separate meeting with CDF Asim Munir.
(d) Part of the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran to obtain further instructions.
Explanation: The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that he was sharing Iran's position on a workable framework and expressed skepticism about US seriousness, rather than arriving with a pre-agreed US-led ceasefire. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994958/iranian-delegation-led-by-araghchi-leaves-after-meeting-pm-cdf-munir-trump-cancels-us-envoys-visit, 25 Apr 2026]
#4654
According to the ISPR, the conflict of 2026 demonstrated Pakistan's operational competence across which of the following domains?
(a) Land, air, sea, space, and nuclear
(b) Land, air, sea, cyber, and information
(c) Land, air, sea, psychological, and economic
(d) Land, air, sea, diplomatic, and intelligence
Explanation: The ISPR statement explicitly highlights the Armed Forces' superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber, and information domains during the conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998954/marka-i-haq-a-defining-landmark-in-the-nations-journey-ispr, 09 May 2026]
#4655
Who announced the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire on April 21, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
(b) US President Donald Trump
(c) Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir
(d) Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Explanation: US President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran on his Truth Social platform. While Pakistani leadership requested the extension, Trump was the one who made the official announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#4656
What is the official designation given by the state to the 2026 military conflict between Pakistan and India?
(a) Operation Azm-e-Istehkam
(b) Marka-i-Haq
(c) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(d) None of these
Explanation: The state refers to the 2026 conflict as Marka-i-Haq, which translates to 'Battle of Truth'. It is described as a defining landmark in the nation's journey. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998954/marka-i-haq-a-defining-landmark-in-the-nations-journey-ispr, 09 May 2026]
#4657
The military conflict known as Marka-i-Haq concluded with a ceasefire on which date in 2026?
(a) April 22, 2026
(b) May 9, 2026
(c) June 1, 2026
(d) May 10, 2026
Explanation: The conflict, which began with the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2026, officially ended with a ceasefire on May 10, 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998954/marka-i-haq-a-defining-landmark-in-the-nations-journey-ispr, 09 May 2026]
#4658
Which of the following statements regarding the Torkham border incident on March 12, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The humanitarian pause lasted until the body was successfully retrieved.
(b) The body was identified by Afghan authorities as an Afghan national.
(c) Both sides utilized white flags during the meeting at the Zero Point.
(d) The Pakistani delegation included local figures such as Mufti Ejaz and Shah Khalid.
Explanation: The statement that the body was successfully retrieved is incorrect, as the retrieval failed due to the expiration of the deadline and administrative delays. The other statements are factually accurate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981371/brief-pause-in-fighting-between-pak-afghan-forces-to-identify-retrieve-body-at-torkham, 12 Mar 2026]
#4659
According to the Prime Minister's statement on May 9, 2026, which issue remains an 'unfinished agenda of Partition'?
(a) The Iran-US conflict
(b) The Kashmir issue
(c) The Afghanistan border dispute
(d) The Gwadar port development
Explanation: The Prime Minister reiterated that the Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of Partition and is critical for strategic stability in South Asia. The other options are unrelated to the historical context of the Partition of the subcontinent. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998951/etched-in-history-pm-shehbaz-says-pakistan-cannot-be-intimidated-or-subdued-as-nation-marks-marka-i-haq-anniversary, 09 May 2026]
#4660
What is the name of the military operation launched by Pakistan in late February 2026 following cross-border firing?
(a) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(b) Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
(c) Operation Khyber-Shield
(d) Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
Explanation: Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was initiated by Pakistan in response to unprovoked firing from across the border. The other options refer to historical or hypothetical military operations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981371/brief-pause-in-fighting-between-pak-afghan-forces-to-identify-retrieve-body-at-torkham, 12 Mar 2026]