#18261

What was the primary geopolitical factor contributing to the rise in global oil prices on July 21, 2026?

(a) Sanctions on Russian energy exports

(b) Threats of a naval blockade by Yemen's Houthis

(c) OPEC production quota adjustments

(d) Disruption in the Suez Canal transit

Explanation: The rise in oil prices was attributed to continued hostilities in the Gulf and specific threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi forces. This geopolitical instability directly impacted global energy market sentiment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]

#18262

Which official attended the July 16, 2026, meeting as the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan?

(a) Tariq Bajwa

(b) Muhammad Aurangzeb

(c) Ahsan Iqbal

(d) Jameel Ahmad

Explanation: Jameel Ahmad is the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan who attended the meeting. Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal were present as Federal Ministers, while Tariq Bajwa attended as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]

#18263

Who served as the Acting Chair during the IMF Executive Board meeting on May 8, 2026?

(a) Kristalina Georgieva

(b) Gita Gopinath

(c) Nigel Clarke

(d) David Malpass

Explanation: Nigel Clarke, the IMF Deputy Managing Director, presided over the meeting as the Acting Chair. The other individuals listed hold or have held different leadership roles within the IMF or World Bank. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18264

Which of the following statements regarding the KSE-100 market performance on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The index closed with a decline of 0.12 per cent.

(b) The market experienced a sharp dip after 12pm.

(c) The index opened the session in the green.

(d) The index reached an intraday high of 178,370.45.

Explanation: The index actually closed with a gain of 0.12 per cent, not a decline. The other three statements accurately describe the market's opening, the timing of the mid-day dip, and the intraday peak. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]

#18265

Which of the following statements regarding the flood situation in Nuristan on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The military was deployed to support the relief effort.

(b) The United Nations was involved in assessing the disaster.

(c) The death toll was confirmed to be exactly 100 people.

(d) Dozens of shops and buildings were destroyed by the flood.

Explanation: The report stated that 23 people were killed and around 100 were unaccounted for, not that 100 people were confirmed dead. The other statements accurately reflect the relief and damage assessment efforts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]

#18266

Which sector was specifically identified as a primary contributor to the market recovery on July 21, 2026?

(a) Textile manufacturing

(b) Pharmaceutical production

(c) Banking and refinery

(d) Automobile assembly

Explanation: Banking and refinery stocks were the primary drivers of the late-session recovery, offsetting early losses. Other sectors like textiles or pharmaceuticals were not cited as the main contributors to the index's rebound. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]

#18267

According to the IMF review of May 2026, what was the level of Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves at the end of December 2025?

(a) 16.0 billion dollars

(b) 14.5 billion dollars

(c) 18.2 billion dollars

(d) 20.5 billion dollars

Explanation: The IMF report confirmed that foreign exchange reserves reached $16 billion by the end of December 2025, an increase from the $14.5 billion recorded in June 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18268

According to the 2026 astronomical forecast, on what date was the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH expected to be born?

(a) March 17, 2026

(b) March 18, 2026

(c) March 19, 2026

(d) None of these

Explanation: The astronomical analysis stated that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 6:23 am. This timing is critical for determining the visibility of the crescent at sunset on the same day. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980975/eidul-fitr-likely-to-fall-on-march-21-suparco, 11 Mar 2026]

#18269

Which of the following government officials were reported missing following the flash floods in Nuristan on July 21, 2026?

(a) The Provincial Governor

(b) The Mayor of Parun

(c) The Minister of Defense

(d) The Chief of Police

Explanation: The governor's office reported that the mayor of Parun was among those missing after the deluge. The provincial governor was not reported missing, and the defense minister is a national-level official. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]

#18270

Which of the following is NOT a component of the security measures reported during the 2026 escort operation?

(a) Deployment of two dozen fighter jets

(b) Use of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)

(c) Ground-based infantry escort to Tehran

(d) Aerial surveillance of the delegation's path

Explanation: The security operation was conducted entirely through aerial assets, including fighter jets and AWACS for surveillance. There was no mention of a ground-based infantry escort to Tehran. [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]

#18271

Who is the current Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as of July 2026?

(a) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal

(b) Justice (retd) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan

(c) Justice (retd) Raja Saeed Akram

(d) None of these

Explanation: Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal is the Chief Election Commissioner who announced the three-phase electoral schedule. The other names are not associated with this specific announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017254/ajk-election-commissioner-says-polls-to-be-held-in-three-phases-beginning-july-27, 21 Jul 2026]

#18272

Which facility, alongside the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), provided funding to Pakistan in the May 2026 IMF review?

(a) Precautionary and Liquidity Line

(b) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust

(c) Flexible Credit Line

(d) Resilience and Sustainability Facility

Explanation: The financing package consists of funds from the EFF and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The other options are alternative IMF lending instruments not utilized in this specific disbursement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18273

Which of the following statements regarding the July 2026 wildfire dispute is INCORRECT?

(a) The US President suggested that Canada should pay damages for the smoke impact.

(b) The US government has already finalized a permanent trade embargo against Canada.

(c) The wildfire smoke threatened to disrupt the World Cup final.

(d) The US President accused Canada of negligence regarding the fires.

Explanation: There is no evidence that a permanent trade embargo has been finalized; the administration only threatened the use of tariffs as a potential leverage tool. The other statements accurately reflect the events reported on July 21, 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017162/trump-seeks-damages-from-canada-over-wildfires, 21 Jul 2026]

#18274

Which Canadian Foreign Minister visited Islamabad in July 2026, marking the first such visit in nearly 20 years?

(a) Melanie Joly

(b) Anita Anand

(c) Marc Garneau

(d) Chrystia Freeland

Explanation: Anita Anand conducted the official visit to Pakistan in July 2026, which was noted as the first visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister to the country in approximately two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]

#18275

Consider the following statements about the July 2026 Canada-Pakistan diplomatic engagement: 1. Canada announced $45 million specifically for development assistance including climate resilience and girls' education. 2. The security assistance package of $2.2 million includes partnerships with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 3. Pakistan raised the Kashmir dispute during the bilateral talks with the Canadian Foreign Minister. 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 official outcomes of the visit. The aid is split between development ($45m) and security ($2.2m), and the Kashmir issue was formally raised by the Pakistani side. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]

#18276

As of 2026, how many Indian states are reported to enforce strict anti-conversion laws?

(a) 13 states

(b) 18 states

(c) 21 states

(d) 28 states

Explanation: The 2026 USCIRF assessment explicitly identifies that 13 out of 28 Indian states enforce these specific legal frameworks. The figure 28 represents the total number of states in India, not the number with anti-conversion laws. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998729/us-religious-freedom-commission-calls-for-india-to-be-listed-as-country-of-particular-concern, 08 May 2026]

#18277

Who led the police operation following the suicide attack in Bannu on May 9, 2026?

(a) Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan

(b) District Police Officer Qudratullah Khan

(c) The Inspector General of Police KP

(d) The Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary

Explanation: Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan personally led the police operation at the site of the attack. Qudratullah Khan is the spokesman for the DPO in Lakki Marwat, serving as a plausible distractor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998957/police-foil-suicide-attack-on-bannu-post-at-least-2-personnel-martyred, 09 May 2026]

#18278

Which Iranian official arrived in Islamabad on July 21, 2026, to hold talks regarding the US-Iran conflict?

(a) Eskander Momeni

(b) Abbas Araghchi

(c) Mohammad Javad Zarif

(d) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Explanation: Interior Minister Eskander Momeni arrived in Islamabad to discuss the US-Iran conflict with Pakistani leadership. Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister who remained in Tehran to receive the Pakistani ambassador. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]

#18279

What specific directive did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issue regarding petroleum products during the meeting on July 16, 2026?

(a) To increase the import of crude oil from regional partners

(b) To privatize the state-owned petroleum distribution network

(c) To take strict action against those creating artificial shortages

(d) To implement a total ban on private vehicle fuel consumption

Explanation: The Prime Minister directed provincial governments to take strict action against entities involved in creating artificial shortages of petroleum products to ensure supply stability. The other options were not part of the stated directives. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]

#18280

The intraday volatility on July 21, 2026, was primarily attributed to geopolitical tensions between which two nations?

(a) Pakistan and India

(b) Saudi Arabia and Yemen

(c) Russia and Ukraine

(d) United States and Iran

Explanation: The market volatility was explicitly linked to heightened tensions and exchanged strikes between the United States and Iran. This geopolitical friction caused a risk-off sentiment and an increase in international oil prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]

February 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions