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.
#3821
Who is the Chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee that announced the Eidul Fitr moon sighting status on March 19, 2026?
(a) Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman
(b) Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad
(c) Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai
(d) None of these
Explanation: Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad serves as the Chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee and presided over the meeting in Islamabad. Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman is a former chairman, making him a plausible but incorrect distractor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1983722/shawwal-moon-not-sighted-eidul-fitr-to-be-celebrated-on-saturday, 19 Mar 2026]
#3822
Who chaired the meeting to review security arrangements for Muharram 9, 2026?
(a) The Prime Minister
(b) The Minister of State for Interior
(c) The Sindh Home Minister
(d) The Speaker of the National Assembly
Explanation: Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry chaired the meeting to review security arrangements with provincial home secretaries and police officials. While the Sindh Home Minister was active in his province, the federal review was led by the Minister of State for Interior. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2010752/countrywide-muharram-9-processions-conclude-peacefully-amid-strict-security, 25 Jun 2026]
#3823
Who is the current Interior Minister of Iran mentioned in the context of the June 2026 diplomatic meetings?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(c) Eskandar Momeni
(d) Masoud Pezeshkian
Explanation: Eskandar Momeni is the Iranian Interior Minister who held bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart. Abbas Araghchi serves as the Foreign Minister, while Masoud Pezeshkian is the President of Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005678/pm-shehbaz-meets-interior-minister-ahead-of-naqvis-iran-visit, 06 Jun 2026]
#3824
Which of the following statements regarding the security situation in Bajaur as of March 13, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The abducted policeman was taken from the premises of the Badan police station.
(b) Four police officers were martyred in a patrol party attack in February 2026.
(c) A police officer was martyred in a fire attack on a police post in War Mamund in the week preceding the incident.
(d) Law enforcement personnel have faced an increasing number of attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recently.
Explanation: The police spokesperson explicitly dismissed reports that the officer was abducted from the Badan police station. The other statements accurately reflect the security context described in the reports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981729/abducted-policeman-found-dead-in-kps-bajaur, 13 Mar 2026]
#3825
Which of the following statements regarding the joint statement of April 23, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The ministers recognized the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship.
(b) The ministers condemned the accelerating illegal settlement activity.
(c) The ministers declared that Israel has full sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
(d) The ministers called for a political solution based on the two-state solution.
Explanation: The statement explicitly emphasizes that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, making the false statement. The other options accurately reflect the positions taken by the foreign ministers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994444/pakistan-7-other-muslim-nations-reject-attempts-to-alter-historic-legal-status-quo-in-jerusalem-at-its-holy-sites, 23 Apr 2026]
#3826
Consider the following statements about the joint statement issued on April 23, 2026: 1. The ministers condemned the raising of the Israeli flag within the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque. 2. The statement cited the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding illegal settlements. 3. The ministers called for the immediate annexation of the West Bank to ensure regional stability. 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 ministers condemned the raising of the Israeli flag. Statement 2 is correct as the statement referenced the 2024 ICJ advisory opinion. Statement 3 is incorrect because the ministers categorically rejected any attempts to annex occupied Palestinian territory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994444/pakistan-7-other-muslim-nations-reject-attempts-to-alter-historic-legal-status-quo-in-jerusalem-at-its-holy-sites, 23 Apr 2026]
#3827
What was the age of the police officer, Shah Munir Khan, who was killed in Bajaur in March 2026?
(a) 48 years
(b) 62 years
(c) 58 years
(d) 54 years
Explanation: Official reports identified the victim as 54-year-old Shah Munir Khan. The other options represent plausible age ranges for a senior police officer but are factually incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981729/abducted-policeman-found-dead-in-kps-bajaur, 13 Mar 2026]
#3828
Who was the ring leader neutralized by security forces during the operations reported on May 21, 2026?
(a) Noor Wali Mehsud
(b) Hafiz Gul Bahadur
(c) Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib
(d) Fazlullah
Explanation: The ISPR identified the ring leader killed during the operation as Jan Meer, also known as Toor Saqib. He was a high-value target wanted for his involvement in attacks against security personnel and civilians. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002065/security-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-multiple-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-ibos-ispr, 21 May 2026]
#3829
Which US media organizations did President Trump specifically criticize during his July 2026 address for not broadcasting his speech live?
(a) CNN and MSNBC
(b) ABC and NBC
(c) CBS and FOX
(d) PBS and NPR
Explanation: Trump named ABC and NBC as the broadcasters he accused of being part of a plot to ignore his speech. Other networks are common media entities but were not the focus of his specific criticism in this instance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016135/trump-revives-sweeping-election-fraud-claims-ahead-of-us-midterms-accuses-china-of-meddling, 17 Jul 2026]
#3830
According to the claims made by President Trump in July 2026, how many US voter files were allegedly acquired by China?
(a) 150 million
(b) 220 million
(c) 300 million
(d) None of these
Explanation: Trump explicitly cited the figure of 220 million voter files in his address regarding the alleged compromise of election data. The other options are incorrect numerical values. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016135/trump-revives-sweeping-election-fraud-claims-ahead-of-us-midterms-accuses-china-of-meddling, 17 Jul 2026]
#3831
Who is the current Chairperson of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee as of May 2026?
(a) Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman
(b) Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad
(c) Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai
(d) None of these
Explanation: Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad serves as the Chairperson of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee and presided over the meeting held in Karachi on May 17, 2026. Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman is a former chairperson, making him an incorrect choice. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000923/zilhaj-moon-sighted-eidul-azha-to-fall-on-may-27, 17 May 2026]
#3832
Who is the current Information Minister of Pakistan as of 2026-03-14?
(a) Shaza Fatima
(b) Attaullah Tarar
(c) Mosharraf Zaidi
(d) Ahsan Iqbal
Explanation: Attaullah Tarar serves as the Information Minister and publicly addressed the false claims made by the Afghan Taliban. Shaza Fatima is the IT Minister, and Mosharraf Zaidi is a spokesperson for foreign media. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982034/info-ministry-rubbishes-afghan-claims-of-military-post-being-captured, 14 Mar 2026]
#3833
Who issued the notification regarding the public holiday for educational institutions in Islamabad on March 13, 2026?
(a) The Prime Minister of Pakistan
(b) The Minister of Federal Education
(c) The Islamabad Deputy Commissioner
(d) The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court
Explanation: The notification was shared by the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Nawaz Memon, via his official social media account. The Deputy Commissioner holds the administrative authority to issue such directives within the Islamabad Capital Territory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981400/educational-institutions-to-remain-closed-in-islamabad-on-friday, 12 Mar 2026]
#3834
Following the price adjustment effective from May 9, 2026, what is the new price of petrol per litre in Pakistan?
(a) Rs378.00
(b) Rs414.78
(c) Rs414.58
(d) None of these
Explanation: The government increased the price of petrol by Rs14.92, bringing the total to Rs414.78 per litre. Option C represents the price of high-speed diesel, while option A refers to a previous price point. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998722/govt-hikes-petrol-by-rs1492-per-litre-diesel-by-rs15, 08 May 2026]
#3835
Who announced the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire on April 21, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
(b) US President Donald Trump
(c) Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir
(d) Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Explanation: US President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran on his Truth Social platform. While Pakistani leadership requested the extension, Trump was the one who made the official announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#3836
Who is the current Foreign Office spokesperson that addressed the reports of Pakistani deportations from the UAE in May 2026?
(a) Tahir Andrabi
(b) Mumtaz Zahra Baloch
(c) Asim Iftikhar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Tahir Andrabi served as the spokesperson during the weekly briefing where the issue of emergency travel documents and deportations was discussed. The other names are prominent diplomats but were not the primary spokespersons for this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998692/interior-ministry-denies-reports-of-country-or-sect-specific-deportation-of-pakistanis-from-uae, 08 May 2026]
#3837
The global fuel supply crunch mentioned in the context of 2026 is linked to the closure of which strategic maritime chokepoint?
(a) Suez Canal
(b) Strait of Hormuz
(c) Strait of Malacca
(d) Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
Explanation: The Strait of Hormuz is identified as the critical passage through which one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supply passes. Its closure due to regional conflict has significantly impacted global fuel prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998722/govt-hikes-petrol-by-rs1492-per-litre-diesel-by-rs15, 08 May 2026]
#3838
On March 13, 2026, which Minister of State for Interior moved the bill in the National Assembly to transform the Frontier Constabulary into the Federal Constabulary?
(a) Tallal Chaudhry
(b) Syed Naveed Qamar
(c) Shahid Khattak
(d) Ghulam Mustafa Shah
Explanation: Tallal Chaudhry, as the Minister of State for Interior, presented the bill to the House. Syed Naveed Qamar is an MNA who proposed amendments, while Ghulam Mustafa Shah is the Deputy Speaker. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 13 Mar 2026]
#3839
Which of the following statements regarding the petroleum price adjustments in 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The government has maintained a fixed, unchanging price for fuel since the beginning of the year.
(b) Petrol is primarily used in private transport and small vehicles.
(c) The government has been revising petroleum prices on a weekly basis on Friday nights.
(d) High-speed diesel is used for large generators.
Explanation: The government has frequently adjusted prices in response to market volatility, making the claim that prices remained fixed INCORRECT. The other statements accurately reflect the usage patterns and the frequency of price revisions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998722/govt-hikes-petrol-by-rs1492-per-litre-diesel-by-rs15, 08 May 2026]
#3840
Which Minister of State for Interior moved the bill in the National Assembly to transform the Frontier Constabulary into the Federal Constabulary on March 12, 2026?
(a) Shahid Khattak
(b) Syed Naveed Qamar
(c) Tallal Chaudhry
(d) Ghulam Mustafa Shah
Explanation: Tallal Chaudhry, the Minister of State for Interior, moved the bill in the National Assembly. Syed Naveed Qamar is a PPP MNA who proposed amendments, while Ghulam Mustafa Shah served as the Deputy Speaker during the session. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981390/pointing-out-of-lack-of-quorum-in-na-opposition-blocks-passage-of-bill-seeking-to-upgrade-fc-to-federal-force, 12 Mar 2026]