February 2026 Edition
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February 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#17061
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 US-Iran diplomatic situation is INCORRECT?
(a) Iran has officially denied holding direct talks with the US in the past 24 days.
(b) The Iranian Foreign Ministry admitted receiving messages from friendly countries regarding US requests for talks.
(c) The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has entered its fourth week.
(d) Iran has confirmed that it has already responded positively to all messages received from the US.
Explanation: The Iranian Foreign Ministry explicitly stated that it had not responded to the messages received from friendly countries. Therefore, the claim that they responded positively is false. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984640/pakistan-egypt-turkiye-engaged-in-back-channel-diplomacy-for-us-iran-de-escalation-sources, 23 Mar 2026]
#17062
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in March 2026: 1. Pakistan officially offered to host talks between the US and Iran. 2. The US President publicly acknowledged productive conversations with Tehran. 3. Direct contact between Washington and Tehran has been confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. 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 PM Shehbaz offered to host talks and President Trump confirmed productive conversations. Statement 3 is incorrect because the report explicitly states that no direct contact occurred between Washington and Tehran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984912/pakistan-stands-ready-honoured-to-host-us-iran-talks-says-pm-shehbaz, 24 Mar 2026]
#17063
Who served as the Information Minister of Pakistan during the announcement of the temporary pause in March 2026?
(a) Shibli Faraz
(b) Marriyum Aurangzeb
(c) Fawad Chaudhry
(d) Attaullah Tarar
Explanation: Attaullah Tarar, as the Information Minister, officially announced the temporary pause in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on March 18, 2026. The other individuals listed are former information ministers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984967/clerics-from-pakistan-afghanistan-appeal-to-authorities-to-extend-pause-in-fighting-till-eidul-azha, 24 Mar 2026]
#17064
Consider the following statements regarding the events of March 22, 2026: 1. The PTI founder accused the judiciary of selling their integrity. 2. The government claimed that the sons of the PTI founder were welcome to visit Pakistan using their NICOPs. 3. Jemima Goldsmith alleged that the government's travel recommendations for the sons would ensure full British protection. 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 3 is incorrect because Jemima Goldsmith specifically alleged that traveling on NICOPs would result in 'no British protection,' which was the basis of her concern. Statements 1 and 2 are factually accurate based on the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984369/imran-rails-against-judiciary-as-son-kasim-shares-statement-from-jailed-pti-founder, 22 Mar 2026]
#17065
On March 20, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation regarding regional de-escalation with the President of which country?
(a) Kazakhstan
(b) Azerbaijan
(c) Turkmenistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to discuss the hostilities in the Gulf region and exchange Eidul Fitr greetings. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan were not mentioned as participants in these specific diplomatic calls. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984038/calls-for-de-escalation-in-middle-east-as-pm-shehbaz-speaks-to-several-world-leaders, 20 Mar 2026]
#17066
In the context of the 2026 regional security situation, which of the following has been targeted by retaliatory strikes in the Middle East?
(a) Public healthcare hospitals
(b) Agricultural research centers
(c) Educational universities
(d) Energy installations
Explanation: The regional conflict has involved strikes against critical infrastructure, specifically including energy installations, airports, and military bases. Agricultural and educational facilities are not cited as primary targets in this security context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1983459/saudi-arabia-to-celebrate-eidul-fitr-on-friday, 18 Mar 2026]
#17067
The decision to hold fuel prices in March 2026 was made following a consultative session that included which high-ranking official?
(a) Minister of Finance
(b) Governor of the State Bank
(c) Field Marshal Asim Munir
(d) Chairman of the FBR
Explanation: The consultative session involved federal and provincial representatives and was attended by the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. This reflects the high-level coordination regarding national economic security. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981713/pm-shehbaz-says-prices-of-petroleum-products-not-being-increased-despite-uptick-in-global-market, 13 Mar 2026]
#17068
Which three countries are actively engaged in back-channel diplomacy to mediate between the United States and Iran as of March 2026?
(a) Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
(b) Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye
(c) Pakistan, Jordan, and Oman
(d) None of these
Explanation: Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye are identified as the primary mediators working to bridge the gap between the US and Iran. Other regional players like Saudi Arabia or Qatar are not mentioned as part of this specific tripartite diplomatic conduit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984640/pakistan-egypt-turkiye-engaged-in-back-channel-diplomacy-for-us-iran-de-escalation-sources, 23 Mar 2026]
#17069
Who was appointed as the Governor of Sindh following the removal of Kamran Tessori in March 2026?
(a) Nehal Hashmi
(b) Mustafa Kamal
(c) Farooq Sattar
(d) Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui
Explanation: Nehal Hashmi, a PML-N stalwart, was sworn in as the Governor of Sindh after the removal of the MQM-P nominee Kamran Tessori. The other individuals listed are senior leaders of the MQM-P. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985186/mqm-p-calls-for-revisiting-proposed-28th-amendment-transforming-feudal-democracy-into-participatory-democracy, 25 Mar 2026]
#17070
Which of the following statements regarding the second ODI on March 13, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Pakistan won the match by 128 runs.
(b) The match was decided using the DLS method.
(c) The series was leveled at 1-1 after the match.
(d) Bangladesh successfully chased the revised target.
Explanation: Bangladesh failed to chase the target, collapsing for 114 runs in 23.3 overs. Therefore, the statement that they successfully chased the target is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981758/pakistan-thrash-bangladesh-by-128-runs-in-rain-hit-second-odi, 13 Mar 2026]
#17071
In which facility is the PTI founder currently imprisoned as of March 22, 2026?
(a) Kot Lakhpat Jail
(b) Adiala Jail
(c) Central Jail Karachi
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PTI founder is incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Kot Lakhpat and Central Jail Karachi are other major correctional facilities in Pakistan but are not the site of his current detention. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984369/imran-rails-against-judiciary-as-son-kasim-shares-statement-from-jailed-pti-founder, 22 Mar 2026]
#17072
In the context of the 2026 regional conflict, what specific action did US President Donald Trump order to facilitate potential talks with Iran?
(a) A permanent ceasefire in the Persian Gulf
(b) The withdrawal of naval assets from the Strait of Hormuz
(c) A five-day postponement of military strikes against Iranian power plants
(d) None of these
Explanation: President Trump ordered a five-day delay in planned military strikes against Iranian power infrastructure to allow space for constructive dialogue. This tactical pause is a central element of the current de-escalation efforts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984640/pakistan-egypt-turkiye-engaged-in-back-channel-diplomacy-for-us-iran-de-escalation-sources, 23 Mar 2026]
#17073
The price of diesel, based on Platts, increased to more than how many dollars per barrel during the 2026 energy crisis?
(a) 100 dollars
(b) 150 dollars
(c) 250 dollars
(d) 200 dollars
Explanation: The Petroleum Minister noted that diesel prices, which are indexed to Platts, surged from $80 per barrel to over $200 per barrel. This reflects the unprecedented global oil price hike mentioned in the 2026 briefing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#17074
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 ceasefire initiative is INCORRECT?
(a) The ceasefire was initially announced to last for a period of approximately one month.
(b) The initiative involves diplomatic and social efforts by tribal leaders and scholars.
(c) The pause was intended to facilitate a peaceful atmosphere for the Hajj pilgrimage.
(d) Mutasim Agha Jan expressed support for the extension to allow time for negotiations.
Explanation: The ceasefire was announced from midnight March 18-19 to midnight March 23-24, which is a duration of less than one week, not one month. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984967/clerics-from-pakistan-afghanistan-appeal-to-authorities-to-extend-pause-in-fighting-till-eidul-azha, 24 Mar 2026]
#17075
Consider the following statements about the 2026 border situation: 1. Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban. 2. The joint statement by clerics was signed by eleven Pakistani and eleven Afghan scholars. 3. The peace movement is restricted solely to the extension of the current ceasefire. 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 3 is incorrect because the clerics explicitly stated that the peace movement would not be restricted to the ceasefire extension but would include broader diplomatic and social efforts. Statements 1 and 2 are factually accurate based on the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984967/clerics-from-pakistan-afghanistan-appeal-to-authorities-to-extend-pause-in-fighting-till-eidul-azha, 24 Mar 2026]
#17076
On March 20, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the federal government would bear a financial burden of how much to prevent a fuel price hike?
(a) Rs 24 billion
(b) Rs 45 billion
(c) Rs 69 billion
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister stated that the government spent Rs 24 billion in an earlier instance and Rs 45 billion in the most recent instance, totaling Rs 69 billion in subsidies to prevent price increases. Option A and B represent partial components of this total expenditure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984122/pm-shehbaz-rejects-recommendations-for-further-hike-in-petrol-diesel-prices, 20 Mar 2026]
#17077
Who received Field Marshal Asim Munir upon his arrival in the region on March 21, 2026?
(a) Rawalpindi Corps Commander
(b) Peshawar Corps Commander
(c) Quetta Corps Commander
(d) Lahore Corps Commander
Explanation: The Peshawar Corps Commander is responsible for the security of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and officially received the Army Chief upon his arrival. Other corps commanders oversee different geographical jurisdictions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984256/terrorists-operating-from-afghanistan-wont-be-allowed-to-undermine-pakistans-security-cdf-munir, 21 Mar 2026]
#17078
According to the government's 2026 energy briefing, how much in savings was generated through recent austerity measures?
(a) Rs 17 billion
(b) Rs 27 billion
(c) Rs 22 billion
(d) Rs 32 billion
Explanation: The Petroleum Minister confirmed that government-led austerity measures successfully accumulated Rs 27 billion in a special fund. These funds are designated to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices on the general public. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#17079
Consider the following statements about the security situation as of March 21, 2026: 1. The military leadership has expressed that sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan pose a threat to Pakistan's security. 2. The Army Chief attributed operational successes to the sacrifices of the nation's martyrs. 3. The government has officially declared that all border security operations have been permanently concluded. 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 ISPR statement. Statement 3 is incorrect because the military continues to maintain a posture of vigilance and active defense against cross-border threats, rather than concluding operations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984256/terrorists-operating-from-afghanistan-wont-be-allowed-to-undermine-pakistans-security-cdf-munir, 21 Mar 2026]
#17080
What is the official slogan announced by the Iranian leadership for the year 2026?
(a) Global solidarity against the Zionist enemy
(b) Resistance economy in light of national unity and national security
(c) Strengthening the Resistance Front through regional integration
(d) Economic prosperity through international cooperation
Explanation: The Supreme Leader declared 'resistance economy in light of national unity and national security' as the guiding slogan for the year to counter economic warfare. Other options represent general policy themes but are not the official slogan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984126/supreme-leader-mojtaba-denies-irans-role-in-attacks-in-oman-turkiye-dubs-them-false-flag-tactic, 20 Mar 2026]