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.
#1801
The theme for World Hepatitis Day observed on July 28, 2026, was:
(a) Hepatitis: Let’s break it down
(b) Hepatitis: Time for action
(c) Hepatitis: Zero tolerance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The theme for the 2026 observance was 'Hepatitis: Let’s break it down', which serves as a call to remove barriers to prevention, testing, and treatment. Option D is incorrect because the theme is explicitly stated in the text. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018920/ending-hepatitis, 28 Jul 2026]
#1802
Where did the Prime Minister of Pakistan meet the President to discuss the US-Iran dialogue on April 14, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister House
(b) Aiwan-i-Sadr
(c) Foreign Office
(d) None of these
Explanation: The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari took place at the Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad. Aiwan-i-Sadr is the official residence and workplace of the President of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991689/pm-takes-president-into-confidence-on-us-iran-talks-briefs-him-on-upcoming-visits-to-saudi-arabia-turkiye, 14 Apr 2026]
#1803
Consider the following statements about the US-Canada trade situation as of July 2026: 1. The US President invoked Section 338 to retaliate against what the administration termed discriminatory trade practices. 2. The tariffs apply to a diverse range of goods including wine, cement, and ice hockey gear. 3. The US Trade Representative is currently holding bilateral talks regarding the USMCA with Canadian officials in Mexico City. 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. Statement 3 is incorrect because the US Trade Representative is holding bilateral talks with Mexico, having pointedly left Canada out of those specific negotiations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017209/us-imposes-new-50pc-tariffs-on-20bn-worth-of-canadian-products, 21 Jul 2026]
#1804
Which of the following is NOT a primary focus area for the bilateral talks between Pakistan and Canada during the July 2026 visit?
(a) Trade and investment
(b) Education
(c) Military alliance formation
(d) People-to-people exchanges
Explanation: The bilateral talks focus on trade, investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Military alliance formation is not part of the stated agenda for this diplomatic visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016734/canadian-foreign-minister-anita-anand-to-visit-pakistan-on-monday, 19 Jul 2026]
#1805
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. The US-Iran talks in Islamabad concluded with a formal peace agreement signed by both delegations. 2. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the coordination between the civilian government and state institutions during the mediation process. 3. Negotiating teams from the US and Iran may return to Islamabad for further rounds of 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 incorrect because the talks concluded without a formal agreement, although they did not result in a breakdown. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate based on the official reports regarding the mediation success and the potential for future rounds. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991689/pm-takes-president-into-confidence-on-us-iran-talks-briefs-him-on-upcoming-visits-to-saudi-arabia-turkiye, 14 Apr 2026]
#1806
Who is the current President of Lebanon involved in the 2026 ceasefire negotiations?
(a) Joseph Aoun
(b) Michel Aoun
(c) Najib Mikati
(d) None of these
Explanation: Joseph Aoun is the Lebanese President who engaged in direct diplomatic discussions with US President Donald Trump to secure the ceasefire. Michel Aoun is a former president, and Najib Mikati is a former prime minister, making them incorrect in the context of the 2026 event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992354/10-day-ceasefire-between-israel-lebanon-takes-effect, 16 Apr 2026]
#1807
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]
#1808
Who accompanied Field Marshal Asim Munir during his diplomatic visit to Tehran on April 15, 2026?
(a) Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
(b) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
(c) Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb
(d) None of these
Explanation: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was part of the formal delegation that accompanied Field Marshal Asim Munir to Tehran. The other listed ministers were not reported as part of this specific security-focused delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#1809
The Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the United States and Iran was scheduled to conclude on which date in 2026?
(a) April 19
(b) April 28
(c) April 25
(d) April 22
Explanation: The ceasefire, which paused hostilities following the February 2026 strikes, was set to expire on April 22, 2026. This date is critical as it marks the end of the diplomatic window for the current round of talks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993224/trump-says-us-representatives-heading-to-islamabad-will-be-there-tomorrow-evening-for-negotiations-with-iran, 19 Apr 2026]
#1810
Brent crude futures rose by what percentage on July 21, 2026, as hostilities in the Gulf intensified?
(a) 1.2 percent
(b) 1.8 percent
(c) 1.5 percent
(d) 2.0 percent
Explanation: Brent crude futures rose by $1.62, which corresponds to a 1.8 percent increase, reaching $90.84 a barrel. This rise occurred as early market optimism eroded due to continued regional hostilities. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-2000-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#1811
What is the primary objective of the refinery modernization plan discussed by the Finance Minister in July 2026?
(a) To reduce reliance on imported petroleum products
(b) To increase the export of crude oil to the United States
(c) To privatize all state-owned oil marketing companies
(d) To establish a new pipeline network to Central Asia
Explanation: The modernization plan aims to enhance domestic refining capacity, which directly contributes to reducing the country's heavy reliance on imported petroleum products. This is a strategic move to improve energy security and stabilize the national economy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017217/us-technology-firm-proposes-refinery-modernisation-plan-for-pakistan-in-meeting-with-finance-minister, 21 Jul 2026]
#1812
Which of the following statements regarding the KSE-100 performance on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The index opened the session in the green.
(b) The market experienced broad-based profit-taking in the latter half of the session.
(c) Investor sentiment remained cautious due to global energy market uncertainty.
(d) The index closed with a significant gain of over 2,000 points.
Explanation: The index closed with a marginal gain of only 205.83 points, not 2,000 points. The 2,442.72 point figure mentioned in reports refers to the initial surge, not the final closing gain. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-2000-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#1813
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]
#1814
Which US-based technology firm held a meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in July 2026 to discuss refinery modernization?
(a) General Electric
(b) Honeywell Technologies
(c) Caterpillar Inc.
(d) None of these
Explanation: The finance minister met with a delegation from Honeywell Technologies in Washington on July 20, 2026, to discuss upgrading Pakistan's refinery infrastructure. General Electric and Caterpillar are major industrial firms but were not the primary participants in this specific refinery modernization proposal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017217/us-technology-firm-proposes-refinery-modernisation-plan-for-pakistan-in-meeting-with-finance-minister, 21 Jul 2026]
#1815
In the context of the 2026 US-Iran negotiations, what specific term did President Trump use to refer to Iran's enriched uranium stockpile?
(a) Heavy water
(b) Yellow cake
(c) Nuclear dust
(d) Fissile material
Explanation: President Trump referred to the enriched uranium stockpile as 'nuclear dust' during his remarks to reporters. The other terms are technical descriptors for nuclear materials but were not the specific terminology used by the President. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992383/trump-says-if-iran-deal-is-reached-and-signed-in-islamabad-i-might-go-there, 16 Apr 2026]
#1816
What is the approximate total value of Canadian imports affected by the new US tariff measures announced in July 2026?
(a) 10 billion dollars
(b) 40 billion dollars
(c) 30 billion dollars
(d) 20 billion dollars
Explanation: The US Trade Representative's office confirmed that the new 50 percent tariffs apply to approximately 20 billion dollars worth of imports from Canada. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017209/us-imposes-new-50pc-tariffs-on-20bn-worth-of-canadian-products, 21 Jul 2026]
#1817
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic efforts in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The US and Iran were engaged in talks brokered by Pakistan.
(b) Pakistan's leadership has been actively seeking to bring the parties to the table.
(c) The ceasefire was implemented following US-Israeli strikes.
(d) President Trump confirmed he would personally participate in the negotiation sessions.
Explanation: President Trump explicitly stated that he would not participate in the actual negotiation sessions, even though he expressed a willingness to travel to Islamabad for the final signing of a deal. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic situation described. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992383/trump-says-if-iran-deal-is-reached-and-signed-in-islamabad-i-might-go-there, 16 Apr 2026]
#1818
Who led the Iranian delegation during the 2026 peace talks in Islamabad?
(a) Ali Larijani
(b) Abbas Araqchi
(c) Esmail Khatib
(d) Gholamreza Soleimani
Explanation: The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The other individuals listed are either deceased or held different roles. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992620/pakistan-escorted-iranian-negotiators-home-from-peace-talks-amid-concerns-of-israeli-attack-sources-say, 17 Apr 2026]
#1819
What was the primary geopolitical factor influencing global oil price volatility on July 21, 2026?
(a) US-Iran diplomatic mediation efforts
(b) OPEC production quota adjustments
(c) Global supply chain disruptions in Asia
(d) Changes in US Federal Reserve interest rates
Explanation: Market volatility was driven by reports of mediation efforts between the US and Iran, contrasted against ongoing hostilities and threats of naval blockades in the Gulf. While other factors can influence oil, the specific context of this session was the US-Iran diplomatic situation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-2000-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#1820
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]