January 2026 Edition

January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions

Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.

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#8281

What was the approximate time of the ramming attack in Berlin on July 26, 2026?

(a) 10:00 PM
(b) 02:00 PM
(c) 10:00 AM
(d) 06:00 PM
Explanation: The attack occurred at approximately 10:00 PM (2000 GMT) on Saturday, July 26, 2026. The suspect was later located and killed the following day. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018511/suspect-in-berlin-attack-near-pride-gathering-shot-dead-by-police, 26 Jul 2026]
#8282

Consider the following statements about the legislative developments on March 13, 2026: 1. The ordinance previously empowering the government to transform the FC had lapsed. 2. The opposition lawmakers tore apart copies of the agenda during the protest. 3. The government plans to reintroduce the bill in the upcoming sessions after Eid. 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 events of the session. The ordinance had lapsed, the opposition engaged in protest by tearing the agenda, and the government expressed intent to pursue the bill after the Eid holidays. [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]
#8283

Which official held a meeting with Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud on March 7, 2026, to discuss regional security?

(a) Asim Munir
(b) Ahmad Farooq
(c) Tahir Andrabi
(d) Syed Mustafa Rabani
Explanation: Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia on March 7, 2026, to meet with the Saudi Defence Minister regarding the security situation. The other individuals listed are diplomats or spokespersons. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981279/as-war-in-middle-east-escalates-pm-shehbaz-departs-on-brief-visit-to-saudi-arabia, 12 Mar 2026]
#8284

Who accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his official visit to Saudi Arabia on March 12, 2026?

(a) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(b) Ishaq Dar
(c) Khawaja Asif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar accompanied the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Khawaja Asif were not mentioned as part of this specific delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981279/as-war-in-middle-east-escalates-pm-shehbaz-departs-on-brief-visit-to-saudi-arabia, 12 Mar 2026]
#8285

Which individual held the office of the Governor of Sindh immediately prior to the appointment of Nehal Hashmi in 2026?

(a) Farooq Sattar
(b) Kamran Tessori
(c) Khalid Maqbool Siddique
(d) None of these
Explanation: Kamran Tessori, an affiliate of the MQM-P, was the incumbent Governor of Sindh before his removal and replacement by Nehal Hashmi in 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981259/president-zardari-approves-appointment-of-pml-ns-nehal-hashmi-as-sindh-governor, 12 Mar 2026]
#8286

Consider the following statements about Pakistan's energy situation as of 2026-03-12: 1. The government is facing internal division between cabinet members and technocrats regarding the use of pricing buffers. 2. The current Dubai-based pricing for oil is lower than the benchmark Brent price. 3. The government has cited the risk of supply disruptions, similar to those seen in Bangladesh and India, as a reason for previous price adjustments. 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 cabinet members and technocrats are divided over the prime minister's directive. Statement 3 is correct as ministers defended previous hikes by referencing supply disruptions in neighboring countries. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Dubai-based pricing ($135/barrel) is currently higher than the Brent benchmark ($105/barrel). [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981355/govt-mulling-not-hiking-prices-of-petroleum-products-further-despite-increase-in-global-market, 12 Mar 2026]
#8287

On 2026-03-12, the Islamabad High Court ordered the formation of a medical board to evaluate the health of which individual?

(a) Nawaz Sharif
(b) Imran Khan
(c) Asif Ali Zardari
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Islamabad High Court issued the order on 2026-03-12 regarding the medical treatment of the PTI founder, Imran Khan. The other individuals listed are prominent political figures but were not the subject of this specific court order. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981293/ihc-orders-formation-of-medical-board-on-plea-seeking-imrans-transfer-to-shifa-international-hospital, 12 Mar 2026]
#8288

What is the percentage rate of the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 granted to federal civil employees effective from July 1, 2026?

(a) 5 percent
(b) 7 percent
(c) 10 percent
(d) 15 percent
Explanation: The government notification issued on July 22, 2026, explicitly states that a 7 percent Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 was granted to federal civil employees. This allowance is calculated based on the running basic pay under the new BPS-2026 structure. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#8289

Consider the following statements about the Prime Minister’s Office System (PMOS): 1. It was launched on July 22, 2026. 2. It is designed to manage the lifecycle of directives from issuance to post-implementation review. 3. It is mandatory for all federal ministries and divisions to adopt the system. 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 launch details provided. The system was launched on the specified date, covers the full lifecycle of directives, and is a mandatory requirement for federal entities. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431190/ai-powered-monitoring-system-pm-launches-pmos-to-manage-complete-lifecycle-of-directives, 22 Jul 2026]
#8290

According to the Prime Minister's address on July 22, 2026, which sector was specifically highlighted as a beneficiary of the robotics and autonomous systems revolution for inclusive growth?

(a) Large-scale manufacturing
(b) Agricultural sector
(c) Financial banking sector
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister emphasized that robotics and autonomous systems should improve the lives of farmers and small businesses, explicitly highlighting the agricultural sector as a key beneficiary for inclusive growth. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#8291

Which of the following statements regarding the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 is INCORRECT?

(a) It is subject to income tax.
(b) It is admissible during leave and suspension.
(c) It is applicable to contract employees appointed against civil posts.
(d) It counts towards pension and gratuity calculations.
Explanation: The notification explicitly states that the new allowance will not count towards pension, gratuity, or house rent calculations. Therefore, the statement claiming it counts towards these benefits is incorrect. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#8292

Consider the following statements about the BPS-2026 notification: 1. The new pay scales apply to federal civil employees paid from both civil and defence estimates. 2. Employees posted abroad are eligible to receive the Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2026 during their foreign tenure. 3. The 2022 and 2025 ad hoc relief allowances were abolished upon the implementation of the new scales. 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 notification covers both civil and defence estimates. Statement 3 is correct as the 2022 and 2025 allowances were merged and abolished. Statement 2 is incorrect because employees posted abroad are explicitly excluded from receiving the allowance during their foreign posting. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431195/salary-increase-notified-govt-issues-revised-bps-2026-for-civil-servants, 22 Jul 2026]
#8293

On July 22, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated which of the following events in Pakistan?

(a) Global Robotics and AI Innovation Forum 2026
(b) National Digital Transformation Summit 2026
(c) Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026
(d) Pakistan Indigenous Technology and Security Expo 2026
Explanation: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026 on July 22, 2026. This event served as the platform for his call to establish a unified national innovation ecosystem. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#8294

What is the primary objective of the national innovation ecosystem proposed by the Prime Minister on July 22, 2026?

(a) To increase foreign direct investment in the telecommunications sector
(b) To develop indigenous knowledge and technological capabilities
(c) To privatize all public sector research and development centers
(d) To exclusively focus on importing advanced robotics from the Global North
Explanation: The core objective is to foster indigenous knowledge and technological capabilities, ensuring that the technology is owned and continuously advanced within Pakistan rather than relying solely on imports. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#8295

Consider the following statements about the national innovation ecosystem proposed on July 22, 2026: 1. It aims to ensure that the knowledge behind robotics technology is indigenous and owned by Pakistan. 2. The initiative is intended to be confined to major cities to ensure high-tech efficiency. 3. It emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks to govern the ethics of autonomous systems. 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 3 are correct as they reflect the Prime Minister's focus on indigenous ownership and ethical regulation. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Prime Minister explicitly stated that the revolution should not remain confined to major cities but should reach underserved communities. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431277/pm-shehbaz-calls-for-national-innovation-ecosystem-to-advance-indigenous-robotics-technology, 22 Jul 2026]
#8296

Who is the current Secretary General of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP-P) as of 2026?

(a) Nadeem Afzal Chan
(b) Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari
(c) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(d) None of these
Explanation: Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari serves as the Secretary General of the PPP-P. Nadeem Afzal Chan is the Central Secretary Information, making him a plausible but incorrect distractor. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431326/ajk-polls-ppp-leader-says-optimistic-about-electoral-prospects, 23 Jul 2026]
#8297

Who is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon as of July 2026?

(a) Nawaf Salam
(b) Joseph Aoun
(c) Abbas Yaghi
(d) Saad Hariri
Explanation: Nawaf Salam is identified as the Prime Minister of Lebanon who visited the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya following the Israeli withdrawal. Joseph Aoun is mentioned as the President of Lebanon in the same context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017639/lebanon-israel-to-hold-next-round-of-talks-in-italy-on-aug-4, 23 Jul 2026]
#8298

Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 AJK electoral process is INCORRECT?

(a) Nawaz Sharif is a confirmed candidate for the migrant seats in the AJK assembly.
(b) PML-N ministers argued that holding elections on time was a constitutional requirement.
(c) The PPP initially advocated for postponing elections due to law and order concerns.
(d) The PPP has expressed optimism about securing a majority in the AJK assembly.
Explanation: The PPP leadership explicitly stated that Nawaz Sharif is not a candidate for the migrant seats in the AJK assembly. The other three statements accurately reflect the political positions and events described in the report. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431326/ajk-polls-ppp-leader-says-optimistic-about-electoral-prospects, 23 Jul 2026]
#8299

Consider the following statements about the diplomatic engagements of Pakistan on July 23, 2026: 1. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. 2. The meetings were conducted on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum. 3. Pakistan and Russia agreed to reduce their engagement at multilateral forums. 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 as Dar met with Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman in Manila during the ARF. Statement 3 is incorrect because the countries actually agreed to enhance, not reduce, coordination at multilateral forums. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431322/pakistan-russia-vow-stronger-cooperation, 23 Jul 2026]
#8300

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, which led the 2026 protests in New Delhi, initially emerged as a response to remarks made by which official?

(a) Chief Justice Surya Kant
(b) The Minister of Education
(c) The Prime Minister of India
(d) The Home Secretary
Explanation: The CJP movement began in May 2026 as a satirical reaction to reports that Chief Justice Surya Kant had compared young people to 'cockroaches' and 'parasites' during a court hearing. The movement subsequently broadened its scope to include issues of unemployment and governance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017750/modi-vows-punishment-for-exam-fraud-in-first-comments-on-indian-student-protests, 23 Jul 2026]