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.
#7241
In which administrative region did the NCCIA conduct the arrest of the espionage suspect in 2026?
(a) Gilgit-Baltistan
(b) Azad Jammu and Kashmir
(c) Islamabad Capital Territory
(d) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Explanation: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gilgit branch carried out the arrest. Gilgit is the administrative center of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431521/nccia-gilgit-arrests-suspect-in-espionage-case, 24 Jul 2026]
#7242
Who was the Sessions Judge killed in the Mastung attack on 2026-07-24?
(a) Mir Ziaullah Langove
(b) Tariq Lashari
(c) Abdul Hakeem Kakar
(d) Mir Sarfraz Bugti
Explanation: Abdul Hakeem Kakar was the Sessions Judge who lost his life in the attack. Tariq Lashari was an Additional Sessions Judge who sustained injuries, while the others are provincial government officials. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#7243
Where did the Chief of Defence Forces address the participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan on July 24, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister House, Islamabad
(b) General Headquarters, Rawalpindi
(c) Governor House, Quetta
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Chief of Defence Forces addressed the workshop participants at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. This location serves as the primary command center for the Pakistan Army's strategic communications and operations. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431561/cdf-vows-to-dismantle-terrorist-infrastructure, 24 Jul 2026]
#7244
How does the Government of Pakistan define an attack on its commercial ships by Houthi rebels according to the July 24, 2026, policy statement?
(a) A violation of international trade law
(b) A breach of the Islamabad Memorandum
(c) An attack against Pakistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Foreign Office spokesperson stated that any strike against Pakistani-flagged vessels would be treated as an attack against Pakistan itself, justifying a response in self-defense. This elevates the status of commercial assets to national security interests. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017926/pakistan-warns-houthi-rebels-to-steer-clear-of-its-ships, 24 Jul 2026]
#7245
Who is the communications chief of the United States Secret Service who issued the statement regarding the investigation on 2026-07-24?
(a) Kimberly Cheatle
(b) James Murray
(c) Anthony Guglielmi
(d) Randolph Alles
Explanation: Anthony Guglielmi serves as the chief of communications for the Secret Service and provided the official confirmation of the investigation. The other individuals listed are former directors or officials not associated with this specific 2026 statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017994/vances-agent-faces-probe-after-leak-about-chopper-trip-for-son, 24 Jul 2026]
#7246
The NCCIA Gilgit operation conducted on July 24, 2026, primarily focused on which type of criminal activity?
(a) Financial embezzlement
(b) Election rigging
(c) Cyber-bullying
(d) Espionage
Explanation: The NCCIA arrested the suspect for allegedly sharing sensitive national security information with a foreign intelligence agency, which constitutes an espionage case. The other options represent different categories of crime not related to this specific investigation. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431521/nccia-gilgit-arrests-suspect-in-espionage-case, 24 Jul 2026]
#7247
Consider the following statements about the security incident in Mastung on 2026-07-24: 1. The attack resulted in the death of a Sessions Judge and his gunman. 2. The provincial government described the attack as an assault on the state itself. 3. The incident occurred during a planned protest march on the National Highway. 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 officials were traveling to perform official duties, not participating in a protest march. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#7248
Which of the following is NOT a group or entity mentioned by the Chief of Defence Forces in the context of the July 2026 security address?
(a) Fitna al Khawarij
(b) Fitna al Hindustan
(c) International peacekeeping coalitions
(d) Foreign-sponsored proxy groups
Explanation: The CDF identified Fitna al Khawarij, Fitna al Hindustan, and foreign-sponsored proxy groups as threats to stability. International peacekeeping coalitions were not mentioned in the context of the security operations discussed. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431561/cdf-vows-to-dismantle-terrorist-infrastructure, 24 Jul 2026]
#7249
Which of the following is NOT a category of information that civil servants are required to disclose under the 2026 rules?
(a) Foreign residence permits
(b) Foreign passports
(c) Foreign bank account balances
(d) Foreign travel documents
Explanation: The 2026 rules focus on nationality, passports, residence permits, and travel documents. Financial disclosures like bank account balances are not covered under this specific set of rules. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431565/civil-servants-foreign-nationality-declaration-made-mandatory, 24 Jul 2026]
#7250
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026-07-24 Mastung attack is INCORRECT?
(a) The attack occurred while the officials were traveling from Mastung to Quetta.
(b) The Sessions Judge and his gunman were killed on the spot.
(c) The attack targeted judicial officers traveling towards the Sessions Court.
(d) Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari sustained injuries in the attack.
Explanation: The judicial officers were traveling from Quetta to the Sessions Court in Mastung, not the other way around. The other statements accurately reflect the details of the incident. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#7251
Which specific groups were identified by the Chief of Defence Forces as targets for continued operations on July 24, 2026?
(a) Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan
(b) Fitna al Sahaba and Fitna al Mujahideen
(c) Fitna al Fasad and Fitna al Baghi
(d) Fitna al Munafiq and Fitna al Kuffar
Explanation: The CDF explicitly named Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan as the primary threats that the security forces are committed to dismantling. These terms are used by the state to categorize specific militant and proxy elements operating against national stability. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431561/cdf-vows-to-dismantle-terrorist-infrastructure, 24 Jul 2026]
#7252
Consider the following statements about the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting held in 2026: 1. The meeting was attended by representatives from all SCO member states including India and Iran. 2. The primary focus of the CFM is limited exclusively to economic trade agreements. 3. The Pakistani delegation was led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as both India and Iran are SCO members. Statement 2 is incorrect because the CFM focuses on international relations and security policies, not just trade. Statement 3 is correct as Ishaq Dar led the delegation. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431529/dar-to-attend-sco-cfms-meeting-today, 24 Jul 2026]
#7253
Which regional leader did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif consult regarding the security of oil tankers and freedom of navigation on July 24, 2026?
(a) The Emir of Qatar
(b) The Prime Minister of Yemen
(c) The President of Oman
(d) The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman to condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers. This conversation reinforced the mutual defense alignment between the two nations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017926/pakistan-warns-houthi-rebels-to-steer-clear-of-its-ships, 24 Jul 2026]
#7254
The targeted attack on 2026-07-24 occurred near which specific landmark in Mastung?
(a) Khojak Pass
(b) Boland Pass
(c) Lak Pass
(d) Wali Khan railway crossing
Explanation: The ambush took place near the Wali Khan railway crossing on the National Highway. The other options are well-known geographical landmarks in Balochistan but were not the site of this attack. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#7255
Consider the following statements about Pakistan's regional security stance as of July 24, 2026: 1. Pakistan has pledged to support the uninterrupted flow of maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. 2. The government has abandoned all diplomatic efforts to mediate between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. 3. Pakistan's defense pact with Saudi Arabia stipulates that an attack on one is considered aggression against both. 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 PM reaffirmed support for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Foreign Office explicitly stated that Pakistan has not abandoned hope for diplomatic negotiations. Statement 3 is correct as it references the ratified mutual defense agreement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017926/pakistan-warns-houthi-rebels-to-steer-clear-of-its-ships, 24 Jul 2026]
#7256
Which of the following is NOT a stated objective of the US Central Command (Centcom) strikes against Iran as of July 24, 2026?
(a) Annexing territory in the Strait of Hormuz
(b) Targeting drone storage facilities
(c) Neutralizing coastal surveillance sites
(d) Diminishing threats to civilian mariners
Explanation: Centcom's stated objectives focus on degrading Iranian military capabilities like command centers and maritime infrastructure to protect shipping. Annexation is not a stated objective of these military operations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018016/us-strikes-iran-again-to-diminish-threat-to-mariners-vessels-after-attacks-on-saudi-oil-tankers-in-red-sea, 24 Jul 2026]
#7257
Which of the following statements regarding the security incident on March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The incident resulted in multiple reported injuries.
(b) A van breached a security barricade near the White House.
(c) A police bomb squad cleared the vehicle.
(d) The area was temporarily shut down by authorities.
Explanation: The statement regarding injuries is incorrect because authorities confirmed there were no reported injuries following the incident. The other three statements accurately describe the events that occurred on that date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980968/white-house-area-shut-down-after-van-breaches-security-barricade, 11 Mar 2026]
#7258
Which of the following sequences represents the correct order of official policy focus or incidence occurrence reported on July 31, 2026?
(a) Mine explosion -> Police martyrdom -> Defense cooperation agreement -> Electric bus expansion
(b) Defense cooperation agreement -> Electric bus expansion -> Mine explosion -> Police martyrdom
(c) Electric bus expansion -> Mine explosion -> Police martyrdom -> Defense cooperation agreement
(d) Police martyrdom -> Electric bus expansion -> Mine explosion -> Defense cooperation agreement
Explanation: While all events occurred on the same calendar day, the logical progression of administrative and security events, as recorded in the news cycle, identifies the mining disaster and security threats followed by external strategic policy and internal environmental initiatives. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019693/at-least-32-killed-after-coal-mine-explosion-near-quetta-search-under-way-for-2-miners]
#7259
Which of the following statements regarding the refinery project announced on March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The project is located at the Port of Brownsville.
(b) The refinery is designed to process imported crude oil from the Middle East.
(c) Reliance Industries is involved as a partner in the project.
(d) The project is framed as a major investment in US energy infrastructure.
Explanation: The refinery is designed to process 100 per cent American shale oil, not imported crude from the Middle East. Therefore, statement C is factually incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980847/trump-touts-us-oil-refinery-deal-with-indias-energy-giant-reliance-industries, 11 Mar 2026]
#7260
Consider the following statements about the energy market developments as of March 11, 2026: 1. The IEA's proposed oil release is intended to offset disruptions caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. 2. Goldman Sachs analysts estimated that the proposed stockpile release would offset 12 days of Gulf export disruptions. 3. US crude prices reached their highest level since June 2022 on Monday, March 9, 2026. 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 report: the IEA is responding to the Iran conflict, Goldman Sachs provided the 12-day offset estimate, and WTI crude prices hit their highest point since June 2022 on the preceding Monday. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980857/oil-falls-on-report-of-iea-proposing-biggest-oil-release-ever, 11 Mar 2026]