August 2026 Edition
Start August Quiz
August 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#19181
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 AMD-Anthropic deal is INCORRECT?
(a) The deal involves the purchase of AI servers by Anthropic.
(b) The deal grants AMD a majority ownership stake in Anthropic.
(c) Anthropic will begin receiving the new chips in the first half of 2027.
(d) AMD's investment is contingent upon achieving deployment milestones.
Explanation: The deal is a strategic investment and hardware supply agreement; it does not grant AMD a majority ownership stake in Anthropic. The other three statements accurately reflect the terms reported in the agreement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017572/amd-to-sell-anthropic-tens-of-billions-in-ai-servers-invest-up-to-5bn-in-startup, 22 Jul 2026]
#19182
Consider the following statements about Pakistan's diplomatic stance on July 22, 2026: 1. Pakistan condemned the Houthi militia for threats against Saudi Arabia. 2. The Foreign Office emphasized that such threats undermine the freedom of navigation. 3. Pakistan explicitly declared an immediate military intervention in the Red Sea. 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 Foreign Office statement. Statement 3 is incorrect because Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, and while it reserved the right to self-defense, it did not declare an immediate military intervention. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431293/pakistan-condemns-houthi-threats-against-saudi-arabia-red-sea-shipping, 22 Jul 2026]
#19183
What is the percentage rate of the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 granted to federal civil employees effective from July 1, 2026?
(a) 5 percent
(b) 7 percent
(c) 10 percent
(d) 15 percent
Explanation: The government notification issued on July 22, 2026, explicitly states that a 7 percent Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 was granted to federal civil employees. This allowance is calculated based on the running basic pay under the new BPS-2026 structure. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#19184
Consider the following statements about the Board of Peace (BoP) and the Gaza reconstruction plan: 1. The BoP was formally established in January 2026. 2. The pilot camp is intended to be established in the buffer zone near Rafah. 3. The UN Security Council resolution authorizing the BoP was adopted 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: Statement 1 is correct as the BoP was established in January 2026. Statement 2 is correct as the pilot camp is planned for the buffer zone near Rafah. Statement 3 is incorrect because the UN Security Council resolution was adopted in mid-November of the previous year (2025), not in 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015988/gaza-reconstruction-plan-under-trumps-board-of-peace-reduced-to-pilot-project-british-publication, 16 Jul 2026]
#19185
What is the maximum investment amount AMD has pledged to Anthropic in the 2026 deal?
(a) 1 billion dollars
(b) 30 billion dollars
(c) 10 billion dollars
(d) 5 billion dollars
Explanation: AMD announced an investment of up to $5 billion in Anthropic, tied to the achievement of specific deployment milestones. The $30 billion figure refers to separate reported talks involving Nvidia and OpenAI. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017572/amd-to-sell-anthropic-tens-of-billions-in-ai-servers-invest-up-to-5bn-in-startup, 22 Jul 2026]
#19186
Consider the following statements about the political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan as of June 2026: 1. The PML-N leadership visited the region to meet with party ticket-holders. 2. The PTI has expressed concerns regarding the impartiality of the GB Election Commission. 3. The elections were held on schedule without any prior delays. 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 elections were held after a four-month delay, not on the original schedule. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004429/pml-n-supremo-nawaz-sharif-to-visit-gilgit-baltistan-ahead-of-june-7-polls, 01 Jun 2026]
#19187
Who is the current US Treasury Secretary who met with Pakistan's Finance Minister in July 2026?
(a) Janet Yellen
(b) Timothy Geithner
(c) Steven Mnuchin
(d) Scott Bessent
Explanation: Scott Bessent is the US Treasury Secretary who held discussions with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb regarding Pakistan's economic reforms. Janet Yellen is a former Treasury Secretary, making her an incorrect choice. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017582/us-treasury-secretary-welcomes-pakistans-economic-reforms-return-to-capital-markets, 22 Jul 2026]
#19188
Consider the following statements about the Prime Minister’s Office System (PMOS): 1. It was launched on July 22, 2026. 2. It is designed to manage the lifecycle of directives from issuance to post-implementation review. 3. It is mandatory for all federal ministries and divisions to adopt the system. 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 launch details provided. The system was launched on the specified date, covers the full lifecycle of directives, and is a mandatory requirement for federal entities. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431190/ai-powered-monitoring-system-pm-launches-pmos-to-manage-complete-lifecycle-of-directives, 22 Jul 2026]
#19189
Which specific chip model is Anthropic planning to purchase from AMD as part of the 2026 agreement?
(a) Instinct MI300
(b) Instinct MI450
(c) Instinct MI500
(d) None of these
Explanation: Anthropic has committed to purchasing two gigawatts of AMD's latest-generation Instinct MI450 chips. The MI300 is an older architecture, and the MI500 is not the model specified in the agreement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017572/amd-to-sell-anthropic-tens-of-billions-in-ai-servers-invest-up-to-5bn-in-startup, 22 Jul 2026]
#19190
According to the Prime Minister's address on July 22, 2026, which sector was specifically highlighted as a beneficiary of the robotics and autonomous systems revolution for inclusive growth?
(a) Large-scale manufacturing
(b) Agricultural sector
(c) Financial banking sector
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister emphasized that robotics and autonomous systems should improve the lives of farmers and small businesses, explicitly highlighting the agricultural sector as a key beneficiary for inclusive growth. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#19191
Which of the following is NOT a category of Iranian military targets struck by the United States as of July 23, 2026?
(a) Coastal surveillance sites
(b) Missile and drone storage facilities
(c) Air defense assets
(d) Commercial oil refineries
Explanation: The United States Central Command specified that strikes targeted military capabilities, including air defense, surveillance, and storage facilities. Commercial oil refineries were not listed as targets in the official military report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017740/houthis-attack-saudi-tankers-in-red-sea-as-us-strikes-iran-for-12th-consecutive-day, 23 Jul 2026]
#19192
Which of the following statements regarding the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) It is subject to income tax.
(b) It is admissible during leave and suspension.
(c) It is applicable to contract employees appointed against civil posts.
(d) It counts towards pension and gratuity calculations.
Explanation: The notification explicitly states that the new allowance will not count towards pension, gratuity, or house rent calculations. Therefore, the statement claiming it counts towards these benefits is incorrect. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#19193
Consider the following statements about the BPS-2026 notification: 1. The new pay scales apply to federal civil employees paid from both civil and defence estimates. 2. Employees posted abroad are eligible to receive the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 during their foreign tenure. 3. The 2022 and 2025 ad hoc relief allowances were abolished upon the implementation of the new scales. 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 notification covers both civil and defence estimates. Statement 3 is correct as the 2022 and 2025 allowances were merged and abolished. Statement 2 is incorrect because employees posted abroad are explicitly excluded from receiving the allowance during their foreign posting. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#19194
On July 22, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated which of the following events in Pakistan?
(a) Global Robotics and AI Innovation Forum 2026
(b) National Digital Transformation Summit 2026
(c) Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026
(d) Pakistan Indigenous Technology and Security Expo 2026
Explanation: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026 on July 22, 2026. This event served as the platform for his call to establish a unified national innovation ecosystem. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#19195
Consider the following statements about the economic discussions held in July 2026: 1. The US Treasury Secretary explicitly approved the $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility during the meeting. 2. Pakistan is aiming to transition from macroeconomic stabilisation to export-led growth. 3. The US Treasury commended Pakistan's commitment to creating conditions for a return to international capital markets. 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 US Treasury statement did not address or approve the $10 billion request. Statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the official positions stated during the visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017582/us-treasury-secretary-welcomes-pakistans-economic-reforms-return-to-capital-markets, 22 Jul 2026]
#19196
Which of the following statements regarding the security operations in Balochistan on July 22, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Security forces recovered weapons and improvised explosive devices.
(b) Two female suicide bombers were apprehended.
(c) The operations were limited to a single district in Balochistan.
(d) The operations involved intelligence-based area sanitization.
Explanation: The statement is incorrect because the operations were conducted in two districts, Surab and Mastung, not a single district. The other options accurately reflect the details provided by the ISPR. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431262/10-terrorists-killed-two-female-suicide-bombers-arrested-in-balochistan-ispr, 22 Jul 2026]
#19197
What is the primary objective of the national innovation ecosystem proposed by the Prime Minister on July 22, 2026?
(a) To increase foreign direct investment in the telecommunications sector
(b) To develop indigenous knowledge and technological capabilities
(c) To privatize all public sector research and development centers
(d) To exclusively focus on importing advanced robotics from the Global North
Explanation: The core objective is to foster indigenous knowledge and technological capabilities, ensuring that the technology is owned and continuously advanced within Pakistan rather than relying solely on imports. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#19198
Consider the following statements about the national innovation ecosystem proposed on July 22, 2026: 1. It aims to ensure that the knowledge behind robotics technology is indigenous and owned by Pakistan. 2. The initiative is intended to be confined to major cities to ensure high-tech efficiency. 3. It emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks to govern the ethics of autonomous systems. 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 Prime Minister's focus on indigenous ownership and ethical regulation. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Prime Minister explicitly stated that the revolution should not remain confined to major cities but should reach underserved communities. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#19199
In which districts of Balochistan did security forces conduct the intelligence-based operations reported on July 22, 2026?
(a) Surab and Mastung
(b) Kech and Panjgur
(c) Gwadar and Turbat
(d) None of these
Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that the operations were specifically targeted in District Surab and District Mastung. Seven terrorists were killed in Surab, while three were killed and two female suicide bombers were apprehended in Mastung. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431262/10-terrorists-killed-two-female-suicide-bombers-arrested-in-balochistan-ispr, 22 Jul 2026]
#19200
On 2026-07-23, the Foreign Office of Pakistan issued a formal condemnation regarding threats posed by which group against Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping?
(a) Al-Shabaab
(b) Houthi militia
(c) Hezbollah
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Foreign Office issued a statement on 2026-07-23 specifically condemning the Houthi militia for their threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping. Other groups like Al-Shabaab or Hezbollah were not the subject of this specific diplomatic communication. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431372/fo-slams-houthi-threats-against-ksa-shipping, 23 Jul 2026]