December 2026 Edition
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December 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#12701
Which organization issued a statement on April 12, 2026, declaring that military vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a breach of the ceasefire?
(a) Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
(b) United States Central Command
(c) International Maritime Organization
(d) None of these
Explanation: The IRGC issued the warning following the US announcement of a blockade. The other options are either international bodies or US military commands not responsible for this specific Iranian policy statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991096/after-trumps-blockade-announcement-irgc-says-will-view-military-vessels-approaching-hormuz-as-ceasefire-breach, 12 Apr 2026]
#12702
Which of the following statements regarding the April 2026 Al-Aqsa incursion is INCORRECT?
(a) The incursion was carried out under heavy police protection.
(b) The event occurred without prior public announcement.
(c) The site is considered the third-holiest for Muslims.
(d) The minister received explicit international support for the visit.
Explanation: The incursion faced widespread international, Arab, and Islamic condemnation rather than support. The other statements accurately reflect the circumstances of the event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991141/israeli-minister-storms-al-aqsa-mosque-again-amid-restrictions-on-worshippers, 12 Apr 2026]
#12703
Which religious site in East Jerusalem was subjected to closure for 40 days prior to the events of April 2026?
(a) The Western Wall
(b) The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
(c) The Dome of the Rock
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was closed for 40 days due to security concerns cited by Israeli officials. The Dome of the Rock is located within the Al-Aqsa compound, not a separate site closed for that duration. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991141/israeli-minister-storms-al-aqsa-mosque-again-amid-restrictions-on-worshippers, 12 Apr 2026]
#12704
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 military operations in Kandahar is INCORRECT?
(a) The strikes were conducted with the primary objective of targeting civilian population centers.
(b) The operation was launched following unprovoked firing from across the border.
(c) The strikes targeted military infrastructure and equipment storage facilities.
(d) The operation involved the use of both air strikes and ground-based weapons.
Explanation: The Pakistani government explicitly stated that no civilian population or infrastructure was targeted, refuting claims of civilian harm. Therefore, the statement that the primary objective was to target civilians is false. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982323/overnight-strikes-in-afghanistans-kandahar-target-terrorist-hideouts-and-military-infrastructure-says-state-media, 15 Mar 2026]
#12705
Consider the following statements about the military actions reported on March 15, 2026: 1. The strikes targeted technical support infrastructure used by the Afghan Taliban. 2. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the military action and shared footage of the strikes. 3. The operation was limited exclusively to air strikes with no ground-based involvement. 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. Statement 3 is incorrect because the operation also involved ground-based forces, such as the destruction of the Badini Post using light and heavy weapons. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982323/overnight-strikes-in-afghanistans-kandahar-target-terrorist-hideouts-and-military-infrastructure-says-state-media, 15 Mar 2026]
#12706
Where did US President Donald Trump speak to reporters regarding the upcoming Iran talks on April 10, 2026?
(a) The White House
(b) Joint Base Andrews
(c) Camp David
(d) The Pentagon
Explanation: President Trump spoke to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, before boarding Air Force One. The White House and Pentagon are common locations for presidential briefings but were not the site of this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990730/us-president-trump-projects-cautious-optimism-ahead-of-iran-talks, 11 Apr 2026]
#12707
In which ocean did the Artemis II capsule splash down upon its return to Earth on April 11, 2026?
(a) Atlantic Ocean
(b) Pacific Ocean
(c) Indian Ocean
(d) Arctic Ocean
Explanation: The Orion capsule successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California. The other oceans listed were not the site of this recovery operation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990741/artemis-ii-astronauts-safely-back-on-earth-after-historic-trip-around-moon, 11 Apr 2026]
#12708
Who led the Iranian delegation that arrived in Islamabad for the 2026 talks?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(c) Ali Khamenei
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, led the delegation to Islamabad. Abbas Araghchi was part of the delegation as the Foreign Minister, but he was not the head of the delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#12709
Which of the following is NOT a precondition mentioned by the Iranian side for the commencement of negotiations in 2026?
(a) A ceasefire in Lebanon
(b) The release of Iran's blocked assets
(c) The immediate withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Iranian side specifically cited a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked assets as their preconditions. The withdrawal of US forces was not listed as a specific precondition for these talks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#12710
Which US official was tasked with leading the American delegation to the 2026 Islamabad Talks?
(a) Donald Trump
(b) JD Vance
(c) Antony Blinken
(d) None of these
Explanation: US Vice President JD Vance was the official designated to lead the American delegation to Islamabad. Donald Trump provided the guidelines for the negotiations but did not travel to Pakistan himself. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#12711
Who is the Israeli National Security Minister responsible for the April 2026 incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound?
(a) Benjamin Netanyahu
(b) Itamar Ben-Gvir
(c) Yoav Gallant
(d) None of these
Explanation: Itamar Ben-Gvir is the National Security Minister who led the incursion into the Al-Aqsa compound in April 2026. Benjamin Netanyahu is the Prime Minister, and Yoav Gallant is a separate cabinet official, making them incorrect choices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991141/israeli-minister-storms-al-aqsa-mosque-again-amid-restrictions-on-worshippers, 12 Apr 2026]
#12712
What is the name of the military operation launched by Pakistan in response to cross-border firing in 2026?
(a) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(b) Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
(c) Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
(d) None of these
Explanation: Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched in late February 2026 following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban. Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad are previous military operations and are incorrect in this context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982323/overnight-strikes-in-afghanistans-kandahar-target-terrorist-hideouts-and-military-infrastructure-says-state-media, 15 Mar 2026]
#12713
Consider the following statements about the Artemis II mission: 1. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 1, 2026. 2. The Orion capsule experienced a planned radio blackout during re-entry. 3. The mission traveled a total distance of over 1 million kilometers.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually correct: the mission launched on April 1, 2026, from Florida, underwent a radio blackout due to ionized gas during re-entry, and covered a total distance of 1,117,515 kilometers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990741/artemis-ii-astronauts-safely-back-on-earth-after-historic-trip-around-moon, 11 Apr 2026]
#12714
The 2026 US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad were held during a two-week pause in hostilities that originally commenced on:
(a) February 28, 2026
(b) January 28, 2026
(c) March 28, 2026
(d) April 10, 2026
Explanation: The conflict between the US and Iran, which prompted the mediation efforts, began on February 28, 2026. The talks in April were facilitated during a temporary pause in this specific conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#12715
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Islamabad Talks: 1. The talks were facilitated by the Pakistani government to address the US-Iran conflict. 2. The visa-free entry policy applied to all international journalists regardless of their country of origin. 3. The Iranian delegation included the governor of Iran's central bank. 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 Pakistan acted as a mediator. Statement 2 is incorrect because the visa-free policy was restricted to delegates and journalists from the participating nations (US and Iran) only. Statement 3 is correct as the Iranian delegation included the governor of the central bank. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#12716
Which Pakistani official announced the visa-free boarding policy for delegates attending the 2026 Islamabad Talks?
(a) Mohsin Naqvi
(b) Asim Munir
(c) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq
(d) Ishaq Dar
Explanation: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued the directive to airlines to permit visa-free boarding for delegates and journalists from the participating nations. Mohsin Naqvi was responsible for security arrangements. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#12717
Consider the following statements about the 2026 energy conservation policy: 1. The policy mandates that marriage halls and marquees must close by 10:00 PM. 2. The federal government has introduced a digital wallet subsidy initiative to assist with fuel costs. 3. The policy was implemented without any consultation with provincial chief ministers. 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 align with the government's announced measures. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Prime Minister explicitly expressed gratitude to the chief ministers of the provinces for reaching a consensus on the matter. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989178/markets-malls-to-close-at-8pm-across-country-except-sindh-to-conserve-energy, 06 Apr 2026]
#12718
What is the name of the military operation launched by Pakistan in February 2026 to target terrorist hideouts?
(a) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(b) Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
(c) Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
(d) None of these
Explanation: Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was initiated by Pakistan in late February 2026 following cross-border security incidents. The other options refer to historical military operations conducted by Pakistan in previous years. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989918/afghanistan-pakistan-agree-to-avoid-escalation-during-china-hosted-talks-beijing, 08 Apr 2026]
#12719
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic efforts surrounding the Strait of Hormuz crisis: 1. Pakistan coordinated with China on a five-point initiative to restore maritime security. 2. The resolution demanded that Iran cease attacks on commercial ships and civilian infrastructure. 3. Pakistan hosted foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye in late March 2026 to discuss the crisis. 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 diplomatic activities reported in the context of the crisis. Pakistan has actively engaged in regional diplomacy to contain the conflict and protect critical infrastructure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989533/china-russia-veto-un-resolution-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz, 07 Apr 2026]
#12720
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 energy conservation policy is INCORRECT?
(a) Sindh is currently exempt from the 8:00 PM mandatory closure pending further consultations.
(b) All markets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are permitted to remain open until 10:00 PM.
(c) The policy was formulated in response to fuel price hikes linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
(d) The federal government is providing free inter-city public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad for one month.
Explanation: Only divisional headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are permitted to remain open until 9:00 PM, not 10:00 PM. The other statements accurately reflect the policy details regarding Sindh's exemption, transport subsidies, and the rationale behind the energy conservation measures. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989178/markets-malls-to-close-at-8pm-across-country-except-sindh-to-conserve-energy, 06 Apr 2026]