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.
#7501
Which of the following statements regarding the US-Iran conflict as of 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The US military has struck over 5,000 targets since the conflict began.
(b) President Trump expressed a preference for internal political change within Iran.
(c) The US administration is considering waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce global prices.
(d) President Trump has explicitly confirmed that the new Iranian leader has a target on his back.
Explanation: President Trump explicitly declined to comment on whether the new Iranian leader has a 'target on his back,' maintaining deliberate ambiguity. The other statements accurately reflect the administration's stated positions and military actions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980326/trump-says-iran-war-pretty-much-over-progressing-ahead-of-schedule, 09 Mar 2026]
#7502
On which street is the United States Consulate located in Toronto, where the shooting incident occurred on July 28, 2026?
(a) Bay Street
(b) University Avenue
(c) Yonge Street
(d) None of these
Explanation: The shooting incident took place on University Avenue, which is the site of the United States Consulate in Toronto. Other streets listed are major thoroughfares in Toronto but are not the location of the consulate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018887/shot-fired-outside-us-consulate-in-toronto, 28 Jul 2026]
#7503
Which of the following companies was among the leading performers contributing to the PSX benchmark index rally on July 27, 2026?
(a) Engro Fertilizers
(b) Lucky Cement
(c) United Bank Limited
(d) None of these
Explanation: While UBL, FFC, ENGROH, MEBL, and LUCK were identified as leading contributors, the options provided (Engro Fertilizers, Lucky Cement, United Bank Limited) are individual entities. Since all three are correct, 'None of these' is the appropriate choice as it implies none of the single-option choices exclusively represent the list of top performers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018715/psx-opens-week-in-the-green-gains-more-than-7000-points-to-close-above-178000-mark, 27 Jul 2026]
#7504
Under which legal provision did the Islamabad police justify the detention of Aurat March activists in March 2026?
(a) Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code
(b) Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca)
(c) Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The police cited the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits public gatherings, as the primary legal basis for the arrests. While Peca was mentioned by activists as a problematic law, it was not the specific legal instrument cited by the police for this detention. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#7505
The KSE-100 index closed above which of the following thresholds on July 27, 2026?
(a) 168,000 points
(b) 198,000 points
(c) 188,000 points
(d) 178,000 points
Explanation: The KSE-100 index gained over 7,000 points to close at 178,262.33, successfully crossing the 178,000-point threshold. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018715/psx-opens-week-in-the-green-gains-more-than-7000-points-to-close-above-178000-mark, 27 Jul 2026]
#7506
In which areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the intelligence-based operations conducted on May 21, 2026?
(a) Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu
(b) Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Wana
(c) Mir Ali, Razmak, and Khyber
(d) None of these
Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that the operations conducted over the 48-hour period leading to May 21, 2026, were focused in the areas of Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu. Other locations like Tank and Dera Ismail Khan have been sites of separate operations but were not the primary focus of this specific report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002065/security-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-multiple-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-ibos-ispr, 21 May 2026]
#7507
Consider the following statements about the incident involving the Gwadar fisherman: 1. The incident took place on March 7, 2026. 2. The projectile was identified by officials as being of Israeli origin. 3. The victim's body was transported back to his native town via sea. 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 incorrect because the incident occurred on Saturday, March 7, 2026, but the report was published on March 9, 2026. Statements 2 and 3 are factually correct as per the official confirmation provided by the Gwadar Deputy Commissioner. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40410710/iran-waters-gwadar-fisherman-killed-by-debris-from-israeli-projectile, 09 Mar 2026]
#7508
Who was formally appointed as the new supreme leader of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2026?
(a) Hassan Rouhani
(b) Mojtaba Khamenei
(c) Ebrahim Raisi
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed by the Assembly of Experts to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following his death in a US-Israeli strike. The other names listed are prominent Iranian political figures but were not the subjects of this specific succession. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980326/trump-says-iran-war-pretty-much-over-progressing-ahead-of-schedule, 09 Mar 2026]
#7509
Consider the following statements about the conflict escalation on March 8, 2026: 1. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon warned that military actions will not deliver a lasting win. 2. Approximately 300,000 people have been displaced due to evacuation orders. 3. Israel has claimed territorial sovereignty over parts of the Bekaa Valley. 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 reports of displacement and UN statements. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Israeli Defence Minister explicitly stated that Israel has no territorial claims against Lebanon. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#7510
On July 27, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan maintained the policy rate at which of the following levels?
(a) 10.5 percent
(b) 12.5 percent
(c) 11.5 percent
(d) 13.5 percent
Explanation: The State Bank of Pakistan maintained the policy rate at 11.5 percent during the announcement on July 27, 2026. Analysts viewed this as a cautious stance given the prevailing regional geopolitical tensions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018715/psx-opens-week-in-the-green-gains-more-than-7000-points-to-close-above-178000-mark, 27 Jul 2026]
#7511
On March 8, 2026, Israeli forces conducted a rare airborne operation in which region of Lebanon?
(a) Bekaa Valley
(b) Tyre District
(c) Sidon Governorate
(d) None of these
Explanation: Israeli helicopters dropped troops near the town of Nabi Chit, which is located in the eastern Bekaa Valley. This operation was specifically aimed at searching for the remains of a missing Israeli airforce navigator. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#7512
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad in March 2026: 1. The district administration had issued a formal No-Objection Certificate (NoC) for the Aurat March rally. 2. Relatives of the detained activists were also taken into custody when they arrived at the police station. 3. The activists claimed that the right to protest is a fundamental right that supersedes the imposition of Section 144. 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 incorrect because the district administration did not issue an NoC, which was one of the reasons cited for the arrests. Statements 2 and 3 are accurate reflections of the claims made by the activists and the HRCP. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#7513
Consider the following statements about the PSX performance on July 27, 2026: 1. The KSE-100 index gained more than 7,000 points during the session. 2. The market rally was partially attributed to the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. 3. The index reached an intra-day peak of over 178,500 points. 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 market data from July 27, 2026. The index gained 7,241.13 points, investor sentiment improved due to hopes for shipping resumption, and the intra-day peak was 178,588.33 points. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018715/psx-opens-week-in-the-green-gains-more-than-7000-points-to-close-above-178000-mark, 27 Jul 2026]
#7514
The Israeli military operation in the Bekaa Valley on March 8, 2026, was officially stated to be a search for the remains of which individual?
(a) Jonathan Pollard
(b) Eli Cohen
(c) Gilad Shalit
(d) Ron Arad
Explanation: The Israeli military stated the operation was intended to recover the remains of Ron Arad, an airforce navigator who has been missing in Lebanon since 1986. The other individuals listed are historical figures not involved in this specific search operation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#7515
On March 25, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with which Saudi leader to discuss regional de-escalation?
(a) King Salman bin Abdulaziz
(b) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
(c) Prince Faisal bin Farhan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the conversation took place with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the ongoing regional crisis. While King Salman is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the direct diplomatic coordination regarding the current hostilities was conducted with the Crown Prince. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985161/pm-shehbaz-hails-saudi-arabias-restraint-stresses-urgent-need-for-de-escalation-of-ongoing-iran-war, 25 Mar 2026]
#7516
Who is the current Chief Minister of Sindh as mentioned in the context of the 2026 security arrangements?
(a) Syed Murad Ali Shah
(b) Qaim Ali Shah
(c) Arbab Ghulam Rahim
(d) None of these
Explanation: Syed Murad Ali Shah is the Chief Minister of Sindh who sought cooperation from scholars for security arrangements. The other names are former officeholders. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980177/public-private-schools-in-sindh-to-remain-closed-on-march-11-on-account-of-youm-i-ali, 09 Mar 2026]
#7517
Which US official serves as the Secretary of Defense during the 2026 Iran conflict?
(a) Pete Hegseth
(b) Lloyd Austin
(c) James Mattis
(d) Mark Esper
Explanation: Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of Defense who participated in the classified congressional briefing. The other options are former Secretaries of Defense. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980866/us-lawmakers-warn-of-trumps-incoherent-iran-war-strategy-after-classified-briefing, 11 Mar 2026]
#7518
Who is the current Petroleum Minister of Pakistan as of March 2026?
(a) Ali Pervaiz Malik
(b) Shehbaz Sharif
(c) Ishaq Dar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Ali Pervaiz Malik is identified as the Petroleum Minister who provided statements regarding fuel costs in March 2026. Shehbaz Sharif is the Prime Minister, not the Petroleum Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980901/tanker-drivers-claim-they-are-facing-long-waits-at-depots-due-to-fuel-shortage, 11 Mar 2026]
#7519
On March 13, 2026, which technology was primarily utilized by Pakistani security forces to neutralize the two drones near Rawalpindi?
(a) Surface-to-air missiles
(b) Electronic countermeasures
(c) Anti-aircraft artillery
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Ministry of Information confirmed that the drones were brought down using electronic countermeasures. This technology is specifically designed to disrupt the control signals of unmanned aerial vehicles without requiring kinetic interception. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981736/2-rudimentary-drones-intercepted-brought-down-at-different-locations-adjacent-to-pindi-security-sources, 13 Mar 2026]
#7520
Which of the following Iranian officials did Field Marshal Asim Munir NOT meet during his visit to Tehran in May 2026?
(a) Masoud Pezeshkian
(b) Ali Khamenei
(c) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(d) Abbas Araghchi
Explanation: Field Marshal Asim Munir met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. There is no mention of a meeting with the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in the official reports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002541/encouraging-progress-made-during-cdf-munirs-tehran-visit-ispr, 23 May 2026]