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.
#13581
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]
#13582
What was the primary geopolitical factor contributing to the rise in global oil prices on July 21, 2026?
(a) Sanctions on Russian energy exports
(b) Threats of a naval blockade by Yemen's Houthis
(c) OPEC production quota adjustments
(d) Disruption in the Suez Canal transit
Explanation: The rise in oil prices was attributed to continued hostilities in the Gulf and specific threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi forces. This geopolitical instability directly impacted global energy market sentiment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]
#13583
Which official attended the July 16, 2026, meeting as the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan?
(a) Tariq Bajwa
(b) Muhammad Aurangzeb
(c) Ahsan Iqbal
(d) Jameel Ahmad
Explanation: Jameel Ahmad is the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan who attended the meeting. Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal were present as Federal Ministers, while Tariq Bajwa attended as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]
#13584
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]
#13585
During his previous visit in April 2026, Finance Minister Aurangzeb discussed Pakistan's plans to return to international capital markets using which financial instruments?
(a) Green Bonds and Samurai Bonds
(b) Sovereign Sukuk and Treasury Bills
(c) Panda Bonds and Eurobonds
(d) Development Loans and Grants
Explanation: The Finance Minister briefed investors on plans to re-enter international capital markets specifically through the issuance of Panda Bonds and Eurobonds. These instruments are intended to diversify Pakistan's external financing sources. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016679/finance-minister-aurangzeb-arrives-in-us-on-3-day-visit-expected-to-hold-talks-on-trade-finance-investment, 19 Jul 2026]
#13586
Which of the following statements regarding the KSE-100 market performance on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The index closed with a decline of 0.12 per cent.
(b) The market experienced a sharp dip after 12pm.
(c) The index opened the session in the green.
(d) The index reached an intraday high of 178,370.45.
Explanation: The index actually closed with a gain of 0.12 per cent, not a decline. The other three statements accurately describe the market's opening, the timing of the mid-day dip, and the intraday peak. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]
#13587
The commercial bunkering operation at Gwadar Port was conducted between which dates in 2026?
(a) July 1 and July 3
(b) July 9 and July 11
(c) July 5 and July 7
(d) July 13 and July 15
Explanation: The operation took place from July 9 to July 11, 2026. This timeframe is explicitly documented as the period of the first successful commercial bunkering. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2014650/gwadar-port-carries-out-first-successful-commercial-bunkering-operation, 11 Jul 2026]
#13588
Which of the following statements regarding the flood situation in Nuristan on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The military was deployed to support the relief effort.
(b) The United Nations was involved in assessing the disaster.
(c) The death toll was confirmed to be exactly 100 people.
(d) Dozens of shops and buildings were destroyed by the flood.
Explanation: The report stated that 23 people were killed and around 100 were unaccounted for, not that 100 people were confirmed dead. The other statements accurately reflect the relief and damage assessment efforts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]
#13589
Which sector was specifically identified as a primary contributor to the market recovery on July 21, 2026?
(a) Textile manufacturing
(b) Pharmaceutical production
(c) Banking and refinery
(d) Automobile assembly
Explanation: Banking and refinery stocks were the primary drivers of the late-session recovery, offsetting early losses. Other sectors like textiles or pharmaceuticals were not cited as the main contributors to the index's rebound. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]
#13590
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]
#13591
Which of the following government officials were reported missing following the flash floods in Nuristan on July 21, 2026?
(a) The Provincial Governor
(b) The Mayor of Parun
(c) The Minister of Defense
(d) The Chief of Police
Explanation: The governor's office reported that the mayor of Parun was among those missing after the deluge. The provincial governor was not reported missing, and the defense minister is a national-level official. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]
#13592
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]
#13593
What specific directive did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issue regarding petroleum products during the meeting on July 16, 2026?
(a) To increase the import of crude oil from regional partners
(b) To privatize the state-owned petroleum distribution network
(c) To take strict action against those creating artificial shortages
(d) To implement a total ban on private vehicle fuel consumption
Explanation: The Prime Minister directed provincial governments to take strict action against entities involved in creating artificial shortages of petroleum products to ensure supply stability. The other options were not part of the stated directives. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]
#13594
The intraday volatility on July 21, 2026, was primarily attributed to geopolitical tensions between which two nations?
(a) Pakistan and India
(b) Saudi Arabia and Yemen
(c) Russia and Ukraine
(d) United States and Iran
Explanation: The market volatility was explicitly linked to heightened tensions and exchanged strikes between the United States and Iran. This geopolitical friction caused a risk-off sentiment and an increase in international oil prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]
#13595
Consider the following statements about the US-Pakistan trade negotiations as of July 2026: 1. Pakistan successfully negotiated a reduction in the initial IEEPA-based tariff from 29 per cent to 19 per cent in 2025. 2. The temporary global tariff of 10 per cent imposed under Section 122 is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026. 3. India is currently facing a lower proposed tariff under Section 301 than 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: Statement 1 is correct regarding the 2025 tariff reduction. Statement 2 is correct as the Section 122 tariff has a 150-day statutory limit expiring on July 24, 2026. Statement 3 is incorrect because India faces a 12.5% tariff, which is higher than Pakistan's 10%. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016679/finance-minister-aurangzeb-arrives-in-us-on-3-day-visit-expected-to-hold-talks-on-trade-finance-investment, 19 Jul 2026]
#13596
Consider the following statements about the WAPDA union protests on 2026-07-27: 1. The protests were limited to the city of Lahore. 2. Union leaders warned that privatization would negatively affect the national economy. 3. The union demanded that families of employees who died in the line of duty receive benefits similar to security force martyrs. 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 false because the protest occurred in Peshawar, not Lahore. Statements 2 and 3 are accurate reflections of the union's stated position and demands. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431892/wapda-union-rejects-privatisation-of-discos, 27 Jul 2026]
#13597
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]
#13598
What is the final value of the Eurobond issuance announced by the government on April 20, 2026?
(a) $500 million
(b) $750 million
(c) $1 billion
(d) $2 billion
Explanation: The government initially planned a $500 million issuance but exercised a green-shoe option to increase the total to $750 million due to high investor demand. The $500 million figure represents the initial amount, not the final upsized total. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993495/pakistan-increases-eurobond-from-500m-to-750m, 20 Apr 2026]
#13599
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]
#13600
On July 16, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review the economic impact of tensions between which two nations?
(a) Saudi Arabia and Yemen
(b) United States and Iran
(c) Israel and Lebanon
(d) None of these
Explanation: The meeting focused on the economic repercussions of renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran. Other regional conflicts, while significant, were not the primary subject of this specific policy review. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]