January 2026 Edition
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January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#2821
Which Pakistani minister accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his official visit to Turkiye in July 2026?
(a) Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar
(c) Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif
(d) Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal
Explanation: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, accompanied the Prime Minister on his visit. The other ministers listed were not mentioned as part of the official delegation for this specific trip. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012743/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-official-visit, 03 Jul 2026]
#2822
Consider the following statements about the 2026 FIFA World Cup: 1. FIFA projected total revenues for 2026 to exceed seven billion euros. 2. The tournament saw a 56 percent increase in revenue compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. 3. Each participating team was guaranteed a minimum of 50 million dollars. 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 regarding revenue projections and growth. Statement 3 is incorrect because the guaranteed minimum for each participating team was 12.5 million dollars, while 50 million dollars was the prize for the tournament winners. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017102/with-more-game-fifa-showpiece-shatters-attendance-and-tv-records, 21 Jul 2026]
#2823
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which region was specifically identified as being at risk of flash floods in hill torrents on April 6, 2026?
(a) Dera Ghazi Khan
(b) Murree and Galiyat
(c) Gilgit-Baltistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD forecast explicitly identified the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab as being prone to flash flooding due to heavy rainfall on April 6, 2026. While Murree and Galiyat were mentioned in the context of landslides, they were not the primary focus for hill torrent flash floods on that specific date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988866/met-office-forecasts-widespread-rain-thunderstorms-in-parts-of-balochistan-kp-punjab-on-monday, 05 Apr 2026]
#2824
As part of the austerity measures announced on April 3, 2026, for how long will federal cabinet members not receive their salaries?
(a) Two months
(b) Four months
(c) Six months
(d) None of these
Explanation: The government extended the salary suspension for cabinet members from the previously planned two months to six months to address the ongoing fuel crunch. Option D is incorrect because the correct duration is explicitly stated as six months. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988282/petrol-price-reduces-to-rs378-per-litre-as-govt-cuts-levy-by-rs80, 03 Apr 2026]
#2825
Which of the following statements regarding the government's fuel price adjustments on April 3, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The petrol levy was reduced by Rs80 per litre.
(b) The new petrol price is set to remain unchanged for at least one month.
(c) The new petrol price is effective across the entire country.
(d) The government increased the levy on diesel to Rs55 per litre.
Explanation: The government actually reduced the levy on diesel to zero, not increased it to Rs55. The other statements accurately reflect the policy measures announced by the Prime Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988282/petrol-price-reduces-to-rs378-per-litre-as-govt-cuts-levy-by-rs80, 03 Apr 2026]
#2826
Consider the following statements about the events of July 3, 2026: 1. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Istanbul immediately after attending the funeral ceremony in Tehran. 2. The funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla. 3. The assassination of the Iranian Supreme Leader occurred in a joint strike involving the United States and Israel. 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 provided information. The Prime Minister departed for Istanbul after the ceremony, the venue was the Grand Mosalla, and the strike was attributed to US-Israeli involvement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012668/pm-shehbaz-cdf-munir-pay-respects-to-irans-assassinated-supreme-leader-khamenei, 03 Jul 2026]
#2827
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final match was scheduled to be held in which US state?
(a) New Jersey
(b) New York
(c) Pennsylvania
(d) Maryland
Explanation: The final was hosted in an open stadium in New Jersey, located across the river from New York City. New York is a common distractor due to its proximity to the venue. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016513/wildfire-haze-hangs-over-eastern-us-world-cup-final-venue, 18 Jul 2026]
#2828
How much did the government spend from national resources over the three weeks prior to April 3, 2026, to cushion the impact of rising oil prices?
(a) Rs80 billion
(b) Rs105 billion
(c) Rs129 billion
(d) Rs160 billion
Explanation: The Prime Minister stated that the government utilized Rs129 billion from national resources to subsidize the impact of international oil price hikes during the three weeks preceding the announcement. The other figures represent different levy rates or adjustments mentioned in the context of the policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988282/petrol-price-reduces-to-rs378-per-litre-as-govt-cuts-levy-by-rs80, 03 Apr 2026]
#2829
Who served as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations during the UNSC debate on July 23, 2026?
(a) Munir Akram
(b) Maleeha Lodhi
(c) Asim Iftikhar Ahmad
(d) Abdullah Hussain Haroon
Explanation: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad represented Pakistan at the UNSC debate and expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General's proposals. The other individuals are former representatives. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017861/un-chief-praises-pakistans-peace-initiatives-to-reduce-tensions-and-create-space-for-dialogue, 23 Jul 2026]
#2830
What was the approximate percentage increase in the price of kerosene announced in March 2026?
(a) 50 percent
(b) 60 percent
(c) 80 percent
(d) 70 percent
Explanation: The government increased the price of kerosene by Rs130.08 from a base of Rs188.73, which represents an increase of almost 70 percent. This was a significant adjustment compared to the previous monthly rates. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979534/govt-hikes-kerosene-price-by-rs130-to-rs31881-per-litre, 07 Mar 2026]
#2831
Who is the current United Nations Secretary-General who commended Pakistan's diplomatic initiatives on July 23, 2026?
(a) Kofi Annan
(b) Ban Ki-moon
(c) Antonio Guterres
(d) None of these
Explanation: Antonio Guterres is the incumbent UN Secretary-General who addressed the UNSC open debate regarding Pakistan's peace initiatives. The other options are former Secretaries-General. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017861/un-chief-praises-pakistans-peace-initiatives-to-reduce-tensions-and-create-space-for-dialogue, 23 Jul 2026]
#2832
Consider the following statements about the flood situation as of July 2026: 1. The Jhelum River is currently flowing in low to medium flood at Mangla and Rasul. 2. Flash flooding is anticipated in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan. 3. The Indus River is currently experiencing high flood levels at the Tarbela and Chashma stations. 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 per the FFD observations. Statement 2 is correct regarding the hill torrents. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Indus is reported at low and below-low levels at Tarbela and Chashma, not high flood levels. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017067/chenab-water-level-likely-to-surge-following-ongoing-rains-in-indian-occupied-kashmir-punjab, 20 Jul 2026]
#2833
Analyze the following statements regarding Pakistan's economic and governance indicators reported on August 11, 2026:
(a) Only 1 and 2 are correct
(b) Only 2 and 3 are correct
(c) Only 1 and 3 are correct
(d) All statements are correct
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the automotive sector experienced a 141% surge in sales, not a contraction. Statement 2 is correct regarding the Privitisation Commission's move to outsource major airports. Statement 3 is correct regarding the rise in external remittances to $3.6 billion in July. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022170/privatisation-commission-approves-financial-adviser-for-outsourcing-karachi-lahore-airports]
#2834
Given the events reported on August 11, 2026, identify the correct chronological order of the following developments as they pertain to the broader Pakistani socio-economic and institutional framework (assuming sequential reporting across regional sectors):
(a) 1. Remittances data release -> 2. Balochistan housing funds controversy -> 3. High Court judicial appointments -> 4. Fuel price adjustments
(b) 1. Balochistan housing funds controversy -> 2. Remittances data release -> 3. Fuel price adjustments -> 4. High Court judicial appointments
(c) 1. High Court judicial appointments -> 2. Fuel price adjustments -> 3. Remittances data release -> 4. Balochistan housing funds controversy
(d) 1. Remittances data release -> 2. Balochistan housing funds controversy -> 3. Fuel price adjustments -> 4. High Court judicial appointments
Explanation: Based on the provided event sequence and reporting metadata, the flow of policy-related updates on August 11, 2026, began with external economic inflows (remittances), followed by fiduciary concerns (Balochistan), then judicial administrative updates, and finally, energy-sector fiscal adjustments. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022042/remittances-rise-13pc-to-36bn-in-july]
#2835
Consider the following statements about the weather forecast issued on April 5, 2026: 1. The PMD warned of potential landslides in the Galiyat region on April 7 and 8. 2. Standing crops in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were identified as being at risk from hailstorms. 3. Widespread rain was predicted for the entire province of Sindh on April 6. 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 PMD warned of landslides in Galiyat for April 7-8. Statement 2 is correct as the PMD explicitly mentioned risks to standing crops in those three provinces. Statement 3 is incorrect because the forecast predicted only scattered rain for Sindh, not widespread rain for the entire province. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988866/met-office-forecasts-widespread-rain-thunderstorms-in-parts-of-balochistan-kp-punjab-on-monday, 05 Apr 2026]
#2836
Which of the following statements regarding the environmental conditions on July 18, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The smoke originated from wildfires burning in Canada.
(b) The air quality in Washington D.C. was deemed healthy for all groups.
(c) Meteorologists expected thunderstorms to potentially clear the smoke.
(d) New York City skyline was obscured by dense smoke.
Explanation: The Department of Homeland Security and emergency management in Washington D.C. explicitly stated that air quality was 'unhealthy for at-risk groups,' making the claim that it was healthy for all groups incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016513/wildfire-haze-hangs-over-eastern-us-world-cup-final-venue, 18 Jul 2026]
#2837
Which official was tasked with leading the White House World Cup task force during the 2026 wildfire crisis?
(a) Andrew Giuliani
(b) Zohran Mamdani
(c) Donald Trump
(d) None of these
Explanation: Andrew Giuliani served as the executive director of the White House World Cup task force. Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York, and Donald Trump is the President, making them incorrect for this specific role. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016513/wildfire-haze-hangs-over-eastern-us-world-cup-final-venue, 18 Jul 2026]
#2838
Consider the following statements about the impact of rising fuel costs in March 2026: 1. Jet fuel accounts for 30-40% of airline operating expenses. 2. Domestic and international airfares have increased by 30-40% due to fuel costs. 3. The government has decided to permanently abolish the petroleum levy to provide relief to consumers. 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 report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government has actually protected its petroleum levy targets despite the subsidies provided. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985067/govt-may-have-to-unfreeze-fuel-prices-amid-global-surge, 25 Mar 2026]
#2839
The IMF executive board meeting scheduled for May 8, 2026, is expected to approve a disbursement of approximately how much for Pakistan?
(a) $5.0 billion
(b) $2.5 billion
(c) $3.0 billion
(d) $1.2 billion
Explanation: The IMF board meeting in May 2026 is convened to approve a disbursement of more than $1.2 billion. This is a critical component of the ongoing structural adjustment program. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1996451/govt-hikes-petrol-price-by-rs6-diesel-by-rs19, 30 Apr 2026]
#2840
Which of the following is NOT a US institution that the Finance Minister is scheduled to engage with during his July 2026 visit?
(a) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
(b) US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
(c) US Export-Import (Exim) Bank
(d) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Explanation: The Finance Minister's visit focuses on economic and financial institutions; the FBI is a law enforcement agency and is not involved in trade or tariff negotiations. The other three organizations are explicitly mentioned as part of the official itinerary. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016143/finance-minister-to-visit-washington-for-trade-tariff-talks-with-us, 17 Jul 2026]