January 2026 Edition
Start January Quiz
January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#20001
Which of the following is NOT a proposal or promise made by the PPP Chairman regarding AJK in his July 19, 2026, address?
(a) Ensuring the right to self-government
(b) Immediate annexation of AJK into the federal cabinet
(c) Creating employment opportunities for the youth
(d) Formation of a truth and reconciliation commission
Explanation: The PPP Chairman advocated for provisional representation in federal bodies and self-governance, but he did not propose the immediate annexation of AJK into the federal cabinet. The other options are accurate reflections of his stated policy goals. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016735/bilawal-seeks-better-results-in-upcoming-ajk-elections-as-ppp-hopes-to-form-govt, 19 Jul 2026]
#20002
Consider the following statements about the situation in occupied Kashmir as of March 2026: 1. The closure of the Jama Masjid in Srinagar was compared to the restrictions placed on Masjid al-Aqsa. 2. The Foreign Office of Pakistan has demanded that the United Nations take notice of the religious freedom violations. 3. The restrictions on religious gatherings in the valley have been in place for over two decades.
(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 official reports. Statement 3 is incorrect because the specific policy of sealing the mosque on the last Friday of Ramazan has been occurring for seven years, not two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981738/fo-condemns-continued-closure-of-historic-mosque-in-occupied-kashmir-on-last-friday-of-ramazan, 13 Mar 2026]
#20003
Which official held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi during the security arrangements for the US-Iran dialogue in 2026?
(a) Syed Khalid Hamdani
(b) Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema
(c) Rao Abdul Kareem
(d) None of these
Explanation: Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema served as the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi and confirmed the government's decision to declare a public holiday. Syed Khalid Hamdani is the City Police Officer (CPO) who supervised the security operations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990590/public-holiday-extended-in-pindi-markets-fuel-stations-along-key-roads-closed, 11 Apr 2026]
#20004
On what date in 2026 did the new Supreme Leader of Iran deliver his first public address?
(a) March 10, 2026
(b) March 14, 2026
(c) March 12, 2026
(d) March 16, 2026
Explanation: The address was delivered on March 12, 2026, as confirmed by state media reports. The other dates are incorrect distractors. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981500/read-the-full-text-of-irans-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khameneis-first-address, 12 Mar 2026]
#20005
Which political figure moved the resolution in the Punjab Assembly on 2026-07-20 seeking a ban on dual nationals in government service?
(a) Noor Alam Khan
(b) Amjad Ali Javed
(c) Ishaq Dar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Amjad Ali Javed, a PML-N MPA, moved the resolution in the Punjab Assembly. Noor Alam Khan is a separate MNA who has advocated for similar restrictions at the federal level. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017045/pml-n-mpa-seeks-ban-on-appointment-of-dual-nationals-to-government-service, 20 Jul 2026]
#20006
Consider the following statements about the security measures in Rawalpindi in 2026: 1. The district administration declared a public holiday for three consecutive days starting April 9. 2. Bus terminals on Peshawar Road were closed for two days. 3. The security clampdown was monitored by the Inspector General of Police Punjab. 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 administrative orders issued during the event. The administration observed April 9 and 10 as holidays and extended them, bus terminals were closed for two days, and the IGP Punjab oversaw the security operations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990590/public-holiday-extended-in-pindi-markets-fuel-stations-along-key-roads-closed, 11 Apr 2026]
#20007
Consider the following statements about the intelligence-based operation conducted on July 18, 2026: 1. The operation took place near the Tank-Dera Ismail Khan Road. 2. The terrorist was wanted for the killing of a CTD constable in 2025. 3. The terrorist surrendered immediately upon being surrounded by the CTD.
(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 the operation occurred on the specified road and the individual was wanted for the 2025 killing of Constable Muhammad Ali. Statement 3 is incorrect because the terrorist refused to surrender and opened fire on the personnel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016443/wanted-terrorist-killed-in-intelligence-based-operation-in-dera-ismail-khan-ctd, 18 Jul 2026]
#20008
The upcoming AJK regional elections mentioned in the July 19, 2026, address were scheduled for which date?
(a) July 27, 2026
(b) August 12, 2026
(c) July 30, 2026
(d) None of these
Explanation: The regional elections in AJK were scheduled for July 27, 2026, as stated during the rally held on July 19, 2026. None of the other dates provided correspond to the election schedule mentioned. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016735/bilawal-seeks-better-results-in-upcoming-ajk-elections-as-ppp-hopes-to-form-govt, 19 Jul 2026]
#20009
Who is the current emir of Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan who announced the nationwide highway blockade in 2026?
(a) Sirajul Haq
(b) Hafiz Naeemur Rehman
(c) Liaquat Baloch
(d) None of these
Explanation: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is the current emir of Jamaat-i-Islami who addressed the press conference at Mansoorah regarding the protest campaign. Sirajul Haq is a former emir, making him an incorrect choice. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017280/jamaat-i-islami-announces-nationwide-road-blockade-against-petroleum-levy, 21 Jul 2026]
#20010
The public holiday announced by the Sindh government on March 12, 2026, applied to which of the following entities?
(a) Private sector retail businesses
(b) Autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies
(c) International non-governmental organizations
(d) None of these
Explanation: The notification explicitly included autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies under the administrative control of the Sindh government. Private sector entities were not covered by this specific administrative order. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#20011
The terrorist neutralized by the CTD on July 18, 2026, was affiliated with which banned organization?
(a) Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan
(b) Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
(c) Balochistan Liberation Army
(d) Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan
Explanation: The slain terrorist was identified as a member of the Zakir Kochi Karwan group, which is a faction of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. The other organizations listed are distinct militant groups operating in different contexts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016443/wanted-terrorist-killed-in-intelligence-based-operation-in-dera-ismail-khan-ctd, 18 Jul 2026]
#20012
On 2026-07-20, which US official explicitly stated that Benjamin Netanyahu would not face arrest while in the United States?
(a) Zohran Mamdani
(b) Donald Trump
(c) Sid Rosenberg
(d) None of these
Explanation: President Donald Trump issued a statement on social media affirming that the Israeli Prime Minister would not be arrested while in the United States. Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City who had previously suggested the possibility of such an arrest. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017066/trump-dismisses-ny-mayor-mamdanis-threat-to-arrest-netanyahu, 20 Jul 2026]
#20013
Consider the following statements about the security situation in Bannu as of July 19, 2026: 1. The intelligence-based operation was conducted for the third consecutive day. 2. A terrorist was killed while attempting to plant an improvised explosive device. 3. The military reported that 24 terrorists were killed in Bannu and its adjoining areas in the 24 hours preceding July 17, 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: All three statements are factually accurate based on the report. The operation was in its third day, the terrorist was killed while planting an IED, and the ISPR confirmed the death of 24 terrorists in the preceding 24-hour window relative to the Friday report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016737/one-terrorist-killed-8-others-held-as-joint-operation-continues-in-bannu, 19 Jul 2026]
#20014
Consider the following statements about the 2026 financial discussions between Pakistan and the United States: 1. The request for the $10 billion facility was officially confirmed by the Pakistani embassy in Washington. 2. The US Treasury issued a detailed public statement confirming the $10 billion request. 3. The proposed facility aims to improve Pakistan's access 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 correct as the embassy confirmed the request. Statement 2 is incorrect because the US Treasury declined to comment on the specific request. Statement 3 is correct as the embassy readout highlighted road-to-market strategies and improved access to capital markets. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017402/aurangzeb-seeks-10bn-support-facility-from-us, 22 Jul 2026]
#20015
On July 22, 2026, which official stated that New York City lacks the legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu?
(a) Eric Adams
(b) Zohran Mamdani
(c) Bill de Blasio
(d) None of these
Explanation: Zohran Mamdani, as the Mayor of New York City, clarified that his administration lacks the independent legal authority to enforce international warrants. Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio are former mayors and were not the officials involved in this specific 2026 statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017473/he-is-a-war-criminal-mamdani-says-nyc-cannot-arrest-netanyahu-on-icc-warrant-urges-us-federal-officials-to-step-in, 22 Jul 2026]
#20016
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 ASEAN meeting is INCORRECT?
(a) Australia was welcomed by China as a neutral mediator in the South China Sea.
(b) The US and China discussed a potential summit between their leaders.
(c) The meeting addressed concerns regarding the Middle East conflict.
(d) The Philippines and China have experienced increased tensions in the South China Sea.
Explanation: China explicitly stated that Australia was not a party to the South China Sea issue and had no right to intervene, contradicting the idea that they were welcomed as a mediator. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic context of the event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017513/rubio-holds-talks-with-chinas-wang-yi-as-regional-powers-join-asean-meeting, 22 Jul 2026]
#20017
In which two districts of Balochistan did security forces conduct the counter-terrorism operations reported on July 22, 2026?
(a) Ziarat and Quetta
(b) Surab and Mastung
(c) Gwadar and Turbat
(d) None of these
Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that the operations were carried out in the Surab and Mastung districts. Ziarat was the site of a separate incident involving the Mangi Dam pumping station earlier in the month. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017521/10-terrorists-killed-2-female-suicide-bombers-and-their-facilitator-apprehended-in-balochistan-operations-ispr, 22 Jul 2026]
#20018
On July 19, 2026, Sonam Wangchuk was protesting against alleged irregularities in which examination?
(a) UPSC Civil Services Examination
(b) NEET Examination
(c) JEE Advanced Examination
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike was specifically directed at the alleged fraud and leak of test materials associated with the NEET examination. The other options represent different major Indian competitive exams not central to this specific protest. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016713/over-100-cops-at-hospital-wife-alleges-indian-activist-sonam-wangchuk-illegally-detained-under-guise-of-medical-care, 19 Jul 2026]
#20019
Who received the Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni upon his arrival in Islamabad on July 20, 2026?
(a) Mohsin Naqvi
(b) Syed Asim Munir
(c) Shehbaz Sharif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi officially received his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, upon his arrival in Islamabad. While the visiting dignitary was scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and the Army Chief, the reception at the airport was conducted by the Interior Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017051/irans-interior-minister-eskandar-momeni-arrives-in-pakistan, 20 Jul 2026]
#20020
Consider the following statements about the protests surrounding Sonam Wangchuk: 1. The protests demand the resignation of the Indian Education Minister. 2. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk. 3. The Indian parliament session was scheduled to commence on the Monday following the July 19, 2026, report. 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 events described. The protest specifically targets the Education Minister, the CJP joined the hunger strike, and the parliamentary session timing aligns with the protest escalation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016713/over-100-cops-at-hospital-wife-alleges-indian-activist-sonam-wangchuk-illegally-detained-under-guise-of-medical-care, 19 Jul 2026]