#16501

Which Pakistani official received the Iranian Interior Minister upon his arrival in Islamabad on 2026-07-20?

(a) Talal Chaudhry

(b) Ishaq Dar

(c) Attaullah Tarar

(d) Mohsin Naqvi

Explanation: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi officially received the Iranian delegation upon their arrival in Islamabad. Talal Chaudhry and Ishaq Dar were present during subsequent meetings but did not lead the initial reception. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017273/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]

#16502

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]

#16503

What was the total turnover recorded at the Pakistan Stock Exchange on July 21, 2026?

(a) Rs 30.2 billion

(b) Rs 45.5 billion

(c) Rs 15.8 billion

(d) Rs 675.9 million

Explanation: The total turnover for the session was Rs 30.2 billion. The figure 675.9 million refers to the total volume of shares traded, not the monetary turnover. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]

#16504

Which political party is associated with the Chief Minister who led the July 20, 2026, protest in Delhi?

(a) Bharatiya Janata Party

(b) Jammu and Kashmir National Conference

(c) Indian National Congress

(d) Aam Aadmi Party

Explanation: Omar Abdullah is a leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. The BJP is the ruling party at the federal level that oversaw the 2019 reorganization. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017041/hundreds-protest-in-delhi-demanding-restoration-of-autonomy-for-occupied-kashmir, 20 Jul 2026]

#16505

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]

#16506

At which venue was the 11th HBL Pakistan Super League final held on May 3, 2026?

(a) Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

(b) National Bank Stadium, Karachi

(c) Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

(d) Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan

Explanation: The final match of the 11th edition of the PSL took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Other venues listed are major cricket stadiums in Pakistan but did not host this specific final. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1997223/peshawar-zalmi-beat-hyderabad-kingsmen-by-5-wickets-lift-psl-trophy-a-second-time, 03 May 2026]

#16507

Who currently serves as the Minister for Power in the federal cabinet as of May 2, 2026?

(a) Ahad Khan Cheema

(b) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari

(c) Ali Pervaiz Malik

(d) Attaullah Tarar

Explanation: Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari is the Minister for Power. The other individuals listed hold different portfolios, such as Economic Affairs, Petroleum, and Information and Broadcasting. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1996962/pm-shehbaz-orders-formulation-of-strategy-to-stabilise-electricity-tariffs, 02 May 2026]

#16508

Who is the current Interior Minister of Iran who visited Islamabad on 2026-07-21?

(a) Eskandar Momeni

(b) Masoud Pezeshkian

(c) Mohsin Naqvi

(d) None of these

Explanation: Eskandar Momeni is the Iranian Interior Minister who led the delegation to Pakistan. Mohsin Naqvi is the Pakistani Interior Minister, and Masoud Pezeshkian is the President of Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017273/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]

#16509

Consider the following statements about the 11th HBL PSL final: 1. Peshawar Zalmi secured their second PSL title in the 2026 edition. 2. Aaron Hardie became the first player to take a four-wicket haul and score a 50 in a PSL final. 3. Hyderabad Kingsmen were the defending champions entering the 2026 final. 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 Hyderabad Kingsmen were debutants in the 2026 edition, not defending champions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1997223/peshawar-zalmi-beat-hyderabad-kingsmen-by-5-wickets-lift-psl-trophy-a-second-time, 03 May 2026]

#16510

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]

#16511

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]

#16512

On 2026-03-12, who was appointed as the Governor of Sindh?

(a) Nehal Hashmi

(b) Kamran Tessori

(c) Farooq Sattar

(d) Khalid Maqbool Siddique

Explanation: Nehal Hashmi was appointed as the Governor of Sindh following the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari. Kamran Tessori was the predecessor in this position. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981259/pm-shehbaz-recommends-pml-ns-nehal-hashmi-as-sindh-governor, 12 Mar 2026]

#16513

Consider the following statements about the political and administrative developments in Gilgit-Baltistan as of July 2026: 1. The PPP formed the government in Gilgit-Baltistan with the support of the PML-N. 2. The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan was elected by the regional assembly on June 22, 2026. 3. The federal government has committed to establishing knowledge schools in the region. 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. The PPP-PML-N coalition in GB mirrors the federal arrangement, the election occurred on the specified date, and the establishment of knowledge schools is a confirmed federal priority. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017241/centre-committed-to-working-closely-with-gb-government-pm-tells-cm-amjad-hussain, 21 Jul 2026]

#16514

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]

#16515

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]

#16516

What percentage increase in salaries and pensions was announced for government employees in the 2026-27 budget?

(a) 5 percent

(b) 11 percent

(c) 9 percent

(d) 7 percent

Explanation: The government announced a 7 percent increase in salaries and pensions for its employees. The other percentages are incorrect distractors that do not reflect the approved fiscal policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008557/sindh-cm-murad-ali-shah-presents-rs356tr-budget-with-no-new-taxes-7pc-pay-raise, 17 Jun 2026]

#16517

All of the following statements regarding the Prime Minister's 2026 visit to Qatar are TRUE EXCEPT:

(a) He signed a formal military alliance treaty during the visit.

(b) He discussed the importance of de-escalation in the Gulf region.

(c) He arrived in Doha after visiting Saudi Arabia.

(d) He met with Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Explanation: While the Prime Minister did meet the Emir and discuss regional stability, there is no mention of signing a formal military alliance treaty. The visit focused on strengthening existing cooperation in security, defense, and energy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992240/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-third-leg-of-tri-nation-tour-holds-meeting-with-fm-fidan, 16 Apr 2026]

#16518

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]

#16519

Which of the following statements regarding the 2026-07-21 visit of the Iranian Interior Minister is INCORRECT?

(a) The minister met with the Chief of Army Staff at the Prime Minister's House.

(b) The minister visited the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.

(c) The minister held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House.

(d) The minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior government officials.

Explanation: The meeting with the Chief of Army Staff took place at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, not the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad. The other statements accurately reflect the events of the visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017273/iranian-interior-minister-meets-pm-shehbaz-in-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]

#16520

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]

February 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions