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.
#2861
Who is the District Police Officer (DPO) of Bannu who confirmed the security incident on July 15, 2026?
(a) Captain (retd) Salman Khan
(b) Muhammad Waseem Khan
(c) Captain (retd) Ahmed Raza
(d) Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal
Explanation: Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal is the DPO of Bannu who officially confirmed the attack on the police station. Muhammad Waseem Khan is the journalist who reported the event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015690/at-least-5-injured-including-police-official-in-attack-on-bannu-police-station, 15 Jul 2026]
#2862
Which political party's senator demanded the creation of a separate South Punjab province during the Senate budget debate on June 17, 2026?
(a) Pakistan Peoples Party
(b) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(c) Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan
(d) Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
Explanation: Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), formally demanded the creation of a separate South Punjab province during the Senate proceedings on June 17, 2026. He emphasized the need for administrative bifurcation to address regional grievances. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008601/ppp-lawmaker-calls-for-separate-south-punjab-province-in-senate, 17 Jun 2026]
#2863
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 Champions League final is INCORRECT?
(a) PSG won the match through a penalty shootout.
(b) The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
(c) Arsenal won their first-ever Champions League title in this match.
(d) Ousmane Dembele scored a penalty for PSG.
Explanation: Arsenal lost the final, marking their second defeat in a Champions League final, not a victory. The other statements accurately describe the match events. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004042/psg-edge-arsenal-on-penalties-to-retain-champions-league-title, 30 May 2026]
#2864
Consider the following statements about the fuel price adjustments announced on May 29, 2026: 1. The government reduced the price of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs22 per litre each. 2. The new prices for petrol and high-speed diesel were scheduled to take effect on May 30, 2026. 3. The government has been providing fuel subsidies specifically for public transport and motorcycle commuters. Which of the statements given above 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 government's announcement. The price cut was Rs22, the effective date was May 30, and the government confirmed existing subsidy programs for public transport and two-wheelers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003697/govt-cuts-petrol-diesel-prices-by-rs22, 29 May 2026]
#2865
Which player scored the opening goal for Arsenal in the 2026 Champions League final?
(a) Viktor Gyokeres
(b) Bukayo Saka
(c) Leandro Trossard
(d) Kai Havertz
Explanation: Kai Havertz scored the opening goal for Arsenal in the sixth minute of the match. While Saka and Trossard were involved in the game, they did not score the opening goal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004042/psg-edge-arsenal-on-penalties-to-retain-champions-league-title, 30 May 2026]
#2866
Consider the following statements about the security situation reported on March 30, 2026: 1. India is allegedly planning a false flag operation using Pakistani prisoners. 2. The prisoners involved include individuals currently held in Indian jails. 3. Security sources claim this move is intended to justify a permanent border closure. 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 supported by the security reports regarding the exploitation of prisoners. Statement 3 is incorrect as the reports cite diplomatic humiliation and diversion as the motives, not a permanent border closure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986909/india-planning-false-flag-operation-using-pakistani-prisoners-security-sources, 30 Mar 2026]
#2867
All of the following are TRUE regarding the 2026 Strait of Hormuz situation EXCEPT:
(a) The US President claimed that many countries would send warships to the region.
(b) The US President stated that the US would bomb the shoreline and target Iranian boats.
(c) The White House did not immediately confirm if other nations had agreed to send ships.
(d) The Iranian leadership explicitly rejected the use of the strait as a pressure lever.
Explanation: The Iranian leadership, specifically the new supreme leader, stated that the lever of blocking the strait must be used, making false. The other statements accurately reflect the content of the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982096/trump-claims-many-countries-will-send-warships-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-open, 14 Mar 2026]
#2868
Consider the following statements about the fuel price adjustments announced on April 2, 2026: 1. The price of kerosene was increased to Rs457.80 per litre. 2. The government rejected multiple previous recommendations for fuel price hikes since the regional conflict began. 3. The new fuel prices were made effective immediately on the day of the announcement. 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 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Petroleum Minister explicitly stated that the new prices would be effective from Friday, not the day of the announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987901/govt-hikes-petrol-price-to-rs458-per-litre-hsd-price-to-rs520-per-litre, 02 Apr 2026]
#2869
Who is the current Minister-in-Charge of the Establishment Division as of May 2026?
(a) Ahad Khan Cheema
(b) Sehar Kamran
(c) Kalbe Ali
(d) None of these
Explanation: Senator Ahad Khan Cheema serves as the Minister-in-Charge of the Establishment Division. Sehar Kamran is an MNA who raised the question regarding the examination, and Kalbe Ali is the reporter. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000737/minister-chalks-up-css-failure-rate-to-lack-of-preparation-competitive-nature-of-exam, 16 May 2026]
#2870
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 death penalty legislation is INCORRECT?
(a) The legislation applies identical legal criteria to both West Bank Palestinians and Israeli citizens.
(b) The law allows for the death penalty to be reduced to life imprisonment under special circumstances.
(c) Human rights groups have filed a petition with the Supreme Court to annul the legislation.
(d) The law mandates that executions be carried out within a specific timeframe after sentencing.
Explanation: The legislation is criticized precisely because it does not apply identical criteria; it creates two parallel tracks, with military courts for West Bank Palestinians and civilian courts for Israeli nationals, which human rights groups argue is discriminatory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986920/israel-passes-law-making-death-penalty-default-sentence-for-palestinians-convicted-of-lethal-attacks, 30 Mar 2026]
#2871
Consider the following statements about the energy crisis discussed in the March 2026 hearing: 1. The Strait of Hormuz historically accounts for 20 percent of global LNG and a quarter of seaborne oil. 2. The CPPA Chief stated that LNG-based plants can easily be run on domestic gas diverted from older fields. 3. Providing electricity from the national grid to K-Electric is described as beneficial for overall consumer costs.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 2 is false because the CPPA chief explicitly stated that LNG-based plants cannot be run on domestic gas through diversion from older plants. Statements 1 and 3 are factually accurate based on the provided text. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987262/lng-supplies-under-force-majeure-not-available-for-power-generation-say-officials, 31 Mar 2026]
#2872
Consider the following statements about the Pak-Afghan border security situation as of April 2026: 1. The Ministry of Information utilized its official fact-checking account on X to refute the claims. 2. The Afghan Defence account claimed that operations to remove the barbed wire were progressing rapidly. 3. The Ministry of Information acknowledged that the border fence had been partially removed in specific sectors to facilitate trade. 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 Ministry's report and the cited Afghan Defence account. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Ministry explicitly stated that the fence is fully intact and denied any removal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987562/devoid-of-facts-info-ministry-rubbishes-claims-of-barbed-wire-being-removed-along-pak-afghan-border, 01 Apr 2026]
#2873
Who is the Indian Defence Minister mentioned in the context of the April 2, 2026, diplomatic exchange?
(a) Narendra Modi
(b) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
(c) Ajit Doval
(d) Rajnath Singh
Explanation: Rajnath Singh is the current Indian Defence Minister who engaged in the rhetorical exchange with his Pakistani counterpart. The other individuals hold different roles within the Indian government. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987848/space-for-war-between-two-nuclear-states-inconceivable-asif-reminds-indian-counterpart, 02 Apr 2026]
#2874
On March 14, 2026, which US President claimed that multiple countries would deploy warships to maintain the openness of the Strait of Hormuz?
(a) Joe Biden
(b) Donald Trump
(c) Barack Obama
(d) None of these
Explanation: Donald Trump made the statement regarding the deployment of international warships to the Strait of Hormuz on March 14, 2026. The other listed individuals were not the serving US President on that date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982096/trump-claims-many-countries-will-send-warships-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-open, 14 Mar 2026]
#2875
Which of the following is NOT a symptom reported in relation to the eye health of Bushra Bibi in March 2026?
(a) Chronic retinal detachment
(b) Black spot in the right eye
(c) Blurring of vision
(d) Flashes in the right eye
Explanation: The reported symptoms included blurring of vision, a black spot, and flashes in the right eye. Chronic retinal detachment is a distinct and more severe clinical diagnosis not mentioned in the initial reports regarding her condition. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986585/pti-concerned-over-reports-about-bushra-bibis-health-demands-she-be-taken-to-hospital-for-diagnosis-treatment, 29 Mar 2026]
#2876
At which international forum did US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praise Pakistan's role in US-Iran negotiations on May 30, 2026?
(a) Raisina Dialogue
(b) Munich Security Conference
(c) Shangri-La Dialogue
(d) World Economic Forum
Explanation: The US Secretary of Defense made these remarks during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit held in Singapore. The Raisina Dialogue is a separate geopolitical conference hosted in India. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003936/us-pakistan-developing-true-friendship-hegseth-hails-islamabads-role-in-us-iran-negotiations, 30 May 2026]
#2877
Which medical institution's doctor reportedly examined Bushra Bibi regarding her eye health concerns in March 2026?
(a) Shifa International Hospital
(b) Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
(c) Aga Khan University Hospital
(d) None of these
Explanation: The report circulating in March 2026 indicated that Bushra Bibi was examined by a doctor from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Shifa International Hospital is mentioned in the context of where the PTI founder's family prefers him to be treated, not where Bushra Bibi was examined. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986585/pti-concerned-over-reports-about-bushra-bibis-health-demands-she-be-taken-to-hospital-for-diagnosis-treatment, 29 Mar 2026]
#2878
Who is the current Petroleum Minister of Pakistan who announced the fuel price hike on April 2, 2026?
(a) Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Asif Ali Zardari
(c) Shehbaz Sharif
(d) Ali Pervaiz Malik
Explanation: Ali Pervaiz Malik serves as the Petroleum Minister and led the press conference regarding the fuel price adjustments. Muhammad Aurangzeb is the Finance Minister, while Shehbaz Sharif is the Prime Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987901/govt-hikes-petrol-price-to-rs458-per-litre-hsd-price-to-rs520-per-litre, 02 Apr 2026]
#2879
Which of the following statements regarding the April 2, 2026, statement by the Pakistani Defence Minister is INCORRECT?
(a) It explicitly endorsed the ongoing military operations in the Middle East.
(b) It warned that future responses would be forceful and decisive.
(c) It emphasized that the space for war between nuclear states is inconceivable.
(d) It criticized the reliance on manufactured crises for political interests.
Explanation: The statement did not endorse Middle Eastern military operations; rather, it warned against India using the shadow of that conflict to attempt misadventures against Pakistan. The other three statements accurately reflect the content of the minister's message. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987848/space-for-war-between-two-nuclear-states-inconceivable-asif-reminds-indian-counterpart, 02 Apr 2026]
#2880
Consider the following statements about the Strait of Hormuz and the 2026 geopolitical developments: 1. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. 2. The US President claimed that the United States would refrain from military action while waiting for international support. 3. The Iranian leadership indicated that blocking the strait is a strategic tool to exert pressure on Washington. 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 geographically correct. Statement 2 is false because the US President explicitly stated the US would be 'bombing the hell out of the shoreline' and shooting Iranian boats. Statement 3 is correct as it reflects the stated intent of the Iranian leadership. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982096/trump-claims-many-countries-will-send-warships-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-open, 14 Mar 2026]