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.
#941
On March 11, 2026, which Iranian official stated that negotiations with the United States were no longer on the agenda?
(a) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Eyal Zamir
(d) None of these
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi, serving as the Iranian Foreign Minister, explicitly ruled out negotiations with the United States during an interview with PBS News. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is the parliamentary speaker who focused on retaliatory threats rather than diplomatic agendas. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980759/iran-vows-to-keep-hormuz-strait-blocked-as-long-as-war-continues, 11 Mar 2026]
#942
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026, what is the required population range for a Village or Neighbourhood Council?
(a) 10,000 to 20,000
(b) 30,000 to 40,000
(c) 50,000 to 60,000
(d) 70,000 to 80,000
Explanation: The amendment stipulates a population range of 30,000 to 40,000 for Village and Neighbourhood Councils, subject to a 10% permissible variation. This specific range is the focal point of the ECP's objection regarding the feasibility of delimitation. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#943
Which constitutional article does the Election Commission of Pakistan cite as being undermined by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026?
(a) Article 140-A
(b) Article 218
(c) Article 222
(d) Article 224
Explanation: The ECP explicitly referenced Article 222 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which protects the powers of the Election Commission from being abridged by provincial legislation. Article 140-A relates to the devolution of political, administrative, and financial responsibility to local governments, but is not the specific article cited in this dispute. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#944
Which of the following statements regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) It was unanimously supported by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
(b) It received the assent of the Governor on July 16, 2026.
(c) It was officially notified on July 21, 2026.
(d) It was passed by the KP Assembly on July 6, 2026.
Explanation: The ECP has formally opposed the amendment, terming it a 'delaying tactic' for local government elections. The other three statements accurately reflect the timeline of the bill's passage, assent, and notification. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#945
Who is the current Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to whom the ECP addressed its concerns regarding the 2026 amendment?
(a) Shahab Ali Shah
(b) Nadeem Qasim
(c) Sardar Sikander Shaheen
(d) None of these
Explanation: Shahab Ali Shah is the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who received the official correspondence from the ECP. Nadeem Qasim is the Additional Director General of the ECP who authored the letter, not the recipient. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#946
Consider the following statements about the ECP's objection to the KP Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026: 1. The ECP claims the amendment contradicts its constitutional authority to delimit constituencies. 2. The amendment requires the ECP to consult with the provincial government when waiving population conditions. 3. The ECP argues that the amendment is a necessary step to expedite the local government election 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: Statements 1 and 2 are correct as they reflect the ECP's legal stance and the specific provision of the amendment they oppose. Statement 3 is incorrect because the ECP views the amendment as a 'delaying tactic' rather than a measure to expedite the election process. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#947
What was the policy rate maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan as of June 15, 2026?
(a) 11.5 percent
(b) 10.5 percent
(c) 12.5 percent
(d) 13.5 percent
Explanation: The Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5 percent during its final review for FY26. This rate is maintained to guide inflation toward the medium-term target range. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008043/central-bank-keeps-policy-rate-unchanged-at-115pc, 15 Jun 2026]
#948
What was the level of SBP foreign exchange reserves as of June 5, 2026?
(a) 17.2 billion dollars
(b) 16.2 billion dollars
(c) 15.2 billion dollars
(d) 18.2 billion dollars
Explanation: The SBP foreign exchange reserves reached $17.2 billion by June 5, 2026, following the successful completion of IMF reviews for the Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008043/central-bank-keeps-policy-rate-unchanged-at-115pc, 15 Jun 2026]
#949
Consider the following statements regarding the economic outlook as of June 2026: 1. The primary balance surplus for FY26 was estimated at 2.5 percent of GDP. 2. The MPC is targeting a primary balance surplus of 2 percent of GDP for FY27. 3. Headline inflation remained in single digits throughout April and May 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 correct as they reflect the fiscal consolidation targets and estimates provided by the MPC. Statement 3 is incorrect because headline inflation rose to double digits in April and May 2026, not single digits. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008043/central-bank-keeps-policy-rate-unchanged-at-115pc, 15 Jun 2026]
#950
Match List I (Economic Indicator/Metric) with List II (Status/Value as of May 2026 report): 1. Total disbursements under two arrangements — a. 16 billion dollars 2. Foreign exchange reserves (Dec 2025) — b. 1.32 billion dollars 3. Latest IMF financing approval — c. 4.8 billion dollars 4. Foreign exchange reserves (June 2025) — d. 14.5 billion dollars
(a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
(b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
(c) 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a
(d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d
Explanation: The total disbursements under the EFF and RSF reached $4.8 billion, while the latest approval was $1.32 billion. Reserves grew from $14.5 billion in June 2025 to $16 billion in December 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#951
On May 8, 2026, the IMF Executive Board approved a financing package for Pakistan totaling:
(a) 1.10 billion dollars
(b) 1.32 billion dollars
(c) 4.80 billion dollars
(d) 16.0 billion dollars
Explanation: The IMF approved $1.32 billion in financing during the May 2026 review. While $4.8 billion represents the total cumulative disbursements under the current arrangements, $1.32 billion is the specific amount approved in this tranche. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#952
Who served as the Acting Chair during the IMF Executive Board meeting on May 8, 2026?
(a) Kristalina Georgieva
(b) Gita Gopinath
(c) Nigel Clarke
(d) David Malpass
Explanation: Nigel Clarke, the IMF Deputy Managing Director, presided over the meeting as the Acting Chair. The other individuals listed hold or have held different leadership roles within the IMF or World Bank. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#953
According to the IMF review of May 2026, what was the level of Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves at the end of December 2025?
(a) 16.0 billion dollars
(b) 14.5 billion dollars
(c) 18.2 billion dollars
(d) 20.5 billion dollars
Explanation: The IMF report confirmed that foreign exchange reserves reached $16 billion by the end of December 2025, an increase from the $14.5 billion recorded in June 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#954
Which facility, alongside the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), provided funding to Pakistan in the May 2026 IMF review?
(a) Precautionary and Liquidity Line
(b) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust
(c) Flexible Credit Line
(d) Resilience and Sustainability Facility
Explanation: The financing package consists of funds from the EFF and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The other options are alternative IMF lending instruments not utilized in this specific disbursement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#955
On April 18, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan confirmed the repayment of how much debt to the United Arab Emirates?
(a) $1.5 billion
(b) $3.5 billion
(c) $2 billion
(d) $5 billion
Explanation: The State Bank of Pakistan officially announced on April 18, 2026, that the government had successfully repaid $2 billion to the UAE. While the total loan amount sought by the UAE was $3.5 billion, the specific payment confirmed on this date was $2 billion. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993003/sbp-says-govt-has-paid-2bn-to-uae, 18 Apr 2026]
#956
Consider the following statements regarding the IMF's assessment of Pakistan's economy in May 2026: 1. The IMF flagged the Middle East war as a source of heightened geopolitical risk. 2. Pakistan met structural benchmarks related to tax policy and energy pricing. 3. The IMF recommended an immediate expansionary fiscal policy to stimulate growth. 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 reflect the IMF's stated concerns and the conditions met by Pakistan. Statement 3 is incorrect because the IMF explicitly recommended gradual fiscal consolidation, not expansionary policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#957
What was the total amount of public debt in Pakistan as of February 2026?
(a) Rs82.1 trillion
(b) Rs75.5 trillion
(c) Rs79.3 trillion
(d) Rs68.4 trillion
Explanation: Pakistan's total public debt reached Rs79.3 trillion in February 2026, marking a 1 percent increase month-on-month. This figure represents a 10 percent rise compared to the same period in the previous year. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979645/stocks-nosedive-63pc-in-jittery-week-on-geopolitical-concerns, 08 Mar 2026]
#958
In April 2026, the government raised $500 million in the international capital market through which financial instrument?
(a) Sovereign Sukuk
(b) Treasury Bill
(c) Commercial Loan
(d) Eurobond
Explanation: The government successfully raised $500 million through a Eurobond issuance in April 2026, marking the first such issuance in four years. This is part of a broader strategy to diversify financing sources beyond traditional bilateral loans. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993003/sbp-says-govt-has-paid-2bn-to-uae, 18 Apr 2026]
#959
Consider the following statements about Pakistan's external debt management in April 2026: 1. The UAE loan being repaid was originally extended in 2019. 2. Pakistan has requested significant changes to its $7 billion IMF lending programme due to the Middle East conflict. 3. The central bank's foreign exchange reserves were reported at $20.52 billion as of April 10, 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 is correct as the UAE loan dates back to 2019. Statement 3 is correct regarding the reserve figures reported by the SBP. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Finance Minister stated that while the IMF programme is an option, the government has not yet requested changes to it. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993003/sbp-says-govt-has-paid-2bn-to-uae, 18 Apr 2026]
#960
Which of the following is NOT identified as a potential economic impact of the Middle East conflict on Pakistan in the March 2026 report?
(a) Increased energy costs
(b) Immediate collapse of the banking sector
(c) Strain on remittance inflows
(d) Pressure on the exchange rate
Explanation: The report warns of inflation, import costs, and remittance strain, but it does not predict an immediate collapse of the banking sector. The other options are explicitly mentioned as risks to the external sector. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979649/external-sector-faces-instability-amid-middle-east-crisis, 08 Mar 2026]