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.
#8801
Which specific constitutional amendments have been the primary focus of the nationwide lawyers' movement in 2026?
(a) 24th and 25th Amendments
(b) 26th and 27th Amendments
(c) 28th and 29th Amendments
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Lawyers Action Committee has organized protests against the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, arguing that these measures compromise judicial independence. Other options are incorrect as they do not correspond to the specific legislation cited in the current political discourse. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018681/why-coercion-doesnt-work, 27 Jul 2026]
#8802
Consider the following statements about the military command overhaul in 2026: 1. Field Marshal Asim Munir serves as the country's first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). 2. The CNSC appointment process is subject to judicial review under the 27th Amendment. 3. The CNSC position replaces the nuclear management functions previously held by the CJCSC.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because the 27th Amendment explicitly states that the appointment process cannot be called into question before any court. Statements 1 and 3 are factually accurate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018788/newly-appointed-cnsc-aamer-raza-meets-cdf-asim-munir-in-rawalpindi-ispr, 27 Jul 2026]
#8803
Who is the current Inspector General of Prisons for Punjab as of 2026?
(a) Mian Salik Jalal
(b) Salman Akram Raja
(c) Aaliya Hamza
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mian Salik Jalal serves as the Inspector General of Prisons in Punjab and is the official responsible for addressing allegations regarding jail administration. The other names listed are political figures, not prison officials. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018804/pti-claims-jailed-leader-aaliya-hamza-attacked-in-kot-lakhpat-jail, 27 Jul 2026]
#8804
Which of the following statements regarding the IHC hearing on March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The court imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the NAB.
(b) The defense counsel argued that access to the incarcerated former premier had been curtailed for four months.
(c) The NAB prosecutor stated that the special prosecutor was absent due to urgent official duties at the Supreme Court.
(d) The defense counsel drew a parallel between the current case and the military tribunal conviction of Faiz Hameed.
Explanation: The NAB prosecutor claimed the special prosecutor was absent due to 'religious rituals,' not official duties at the Supreme Court. The other statements accurately reflect the proceedings described. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980875/ihc-fines-nab-rs100000-for-employing-delaying-tactics-in-ps190m-graft-case-against-imran-bushra, 11 Mar 2026]
#8805
What was the policy rate maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan as of July 28, 2026?
(a) 9.5 percent
(b) 10.5 percent
(c) 11.5 percent
(d) 12.5 percent
Explanation: The State Bank of Pakistan decided to keep the benchmark interest rate at 11.5 percent in its July 2026 review. This decision was made to balance macroeconomic stability against the demands for industrial growth. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018929/policy-rate-pause-splits-stakeholders, 28 Jul 2026]
#8806
Who is the judge of the Islamabad High Court who held the petitions for sentence suspension admissible on 2026-07-28?
(a) Justice Faisal Siddiqui
(b) Justice Zainab Janjua
(c) Justice Muhammad Azam Khan
(d) Justice Aamer Farooq
Explanation: Justice Muhammad Azam Khan presided over the matter and ruled that the petitions were admissible, thereby removing the procedural hurdle raised by the prosecution. Faisal Siddiqui and Zainab Janjua are the advocates representing the petitioners, not the presiding judge. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018916/imaan-hadi-seek-early-hearing-of-their-petition-in-peca-case, 28 Jul 2026]
#8807
Who is the Chief Justice of India presiding over the directives regarding the youth protests on July 28, 2026?
(a) Surya Kant
(b) Dharmendra Pradhan
(c) Tushar Mehta
(d) Narendra Modi
Explanation: Chief Justice Surya Kant issued the interim directives to protect protesters and ensure an independent investigation into police conduct. Dharmendra Pradhan is the former Education Minister, and Tushar Mehta is the Solicitor General. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019008/indias-top-court-orders-no-coercive-action-against-youth-protesters-and-release-of-minors-media-reports-say, 28 Jul 2026]
#8808
Under which specific legislation were Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha convicted in 2026?
(a) Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)
(b) Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
(c) Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)
(d) None of these
Explanation: The lawyers were convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for charges related to social media posts. The other options are distinct legal frameworks not cited as the primary basis for this specific conviction. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018916/imaan-hadi-seek-early-hearing-of-their-petition-in-peca-case, 28 Jul 2026]
#8809
According to the 2026 LHC ruling, what is the legal status of an unpaid deferred dower in a marriage dissolution case?
(a) It is a debt owed by the husband
(b) It is a penalty imposed on the husband
(c) It is a discretionary benefit of the court
(d) It is automatically forfeited upon Khula
Explanation: The court explicitly defined unpaid deferred dower as a debt owed by the husband, which cannot be erased or forfeited simply because a marriage is dissolved. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017050/wifes-right-to-dower-remains-protected-if-marriage-dissolved-due-to-husbands-misconduct-lhc, 20 Jul 2026]
#8810
Which of the following statements regarding the oil market situation on March 10, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Brent futures experienced a decline of approximately 6.8 percent.
(b) Goldman Sachs immediately adjusted its fourth-quarter 2026 price forecast for Brent to $90 per barrel.
(c) US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices fell by approximately 6.8 percent.
(d) Volumes in Brent dropped to the lowest amount since February 27.
Explanation: Goldman Sachs explicitly stated it was not changing its oil price forecast for Brent at $66 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2026, making the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980481/oil-sinks-7pc-as-trump-predicts-middle-east-de-escalation, 10 Mar 2026]
#8811
Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's intervention in the 2026 protests: 1. The court ordered that protesters' personal data should not be made public. 2. The Solicitor General claimed that approximately 250 police officers were injured during the demonstrations. 3. The protests continued even after the resignation of the Education Minister. 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 court proceedings. Statement 3 is incorrect because the protests ended on the Saturday following the minister's resignation and the government's agreement to protesters' demands. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019008/indias-top-court-orders-no-coercive-action-against-youth-protesters-and-release-of-minors-media-reports-say, 28 Jul 2026]
#8812
Select the correct chronological sequence of the following policy-related occurrences reported on August 5, 2026:
(a) A > B > C > D
(b) C > B > D > A
(c) B > A > D > C
(d) D > C > B > A
Explanation: The events involve: A) The appointment of a cricket coach; B) The launch of a book on hybrid warfare; C) Bilawal Bhutto's statement on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir; D) The Ministerial meeting in Jordan regarding Jerusalem. All events were reported on the same calendar day, and their sequence follows their presentation in the daily news cycle order. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40433345/smith-appointed-batting-coach-of-mens-team]
#8813
The resignation of the Indian Education Minister in July 2026 was primarily triggered by failures in which sector?
(a) Competitive examination systems
(b) Agricultural subsidies
(c) Public healthcare infrastructure
(d) Foreign trade policy
Explanation: The resignation followed repeated failures and paper leaks in competitive exams, such as the NEET, which caused widespread anger among students. The other options are unrelated to the specific portfolio of the Education Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018741/indias-cockroach-janta-party-demands-release-of-protesters-after-reports-of-detention, 27 Jul 2026]
#8814
What is the notified value of Diyat (blood money) for the fiscal year 2026-27?
(a) Rs6,757,902
(b) Rs9,828,670
(c) Rs19,352,390
(d) None of these
Explanation: The federal government set the Diyat value at Rs19,352,390 for FY2026-27. The other figures represent values from previous fiscal years. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019000/govt-almost-doubles-blood-money-payment-to-heirs-of-victim-on-account-of-rising-silver-prices, 28 Jul 2026]
#8815
The Diyat value for FY2026-27 represents an approximate percentage increase over the FY2025-26 value?
(a) 56 percent
(b) 75 percent
(c) 97 percent
(d) None of these
Explanation: The government announced a 97 percent increase in the Diyat value for the current fiscal year compared to the previous year. This sharp rise is attributed to the appreciation of silver prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019000/govt-almost-doubles-blood-money-payment-to-heirs-of-victim-on-account-of-rising-silver-prices, 28 Jul 2026]
#8816
Which of the following statements regarding Kylian Mbappe's performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is INCORRECT?
(a) He scored two goals in the third-place match against England.
(b) He reached his record-breaking total in 22 total World Cup appearances.
(c) He won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain.
(d) He surpassed the previous record of 21 goals held by Lionel Messi.
Explanation: Statement D is incorrect because France played in the third-place match, not the final. Spain and Argentina were the teams competing in the 2026 final. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016719/frances-mbappe-becomes-world-cups-all-time-top-scorer, 19 Jul 2026]
#8817
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 LHC ruling on dower is INCORRECT?
(a) The court ruled that dower is a proprietary right arising from the marriage contract.
(b) The court clarified that family courts cannot routinely convert cruelty-based suits into Khula without informed consent.
(c) The court stated that a wife's credible testimony regarding cruelty requires corroboration by medical certificates.
(d) The court maintained that dissolution of marriage and the right to dower are separate legal rights.
Explanation: The court explicitly ruled that a wife's credible testimony does not require medical certificates or police reports to be acted upon by a family court, making the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017050/wifes-right-to-dower-remains-protected-if-marriage-dissolved-due-to-husbands-misconduct-lhc, 20 Jul 2026]
#8818
Consider the following statements about the 2026 LHC ruling on dower rights: 1. The ruling was issued in response to a petition challenging a family court decision in Toba Tek Singh. 2. The court held that dower can be reduced or apportioned at the discretion of the family court in all dissolution cases. 3. The ruling highlights the legal confusion caused by the Federal Shariat Court striking down sub-sections (5) and (6) of Section 10 of the Family Courts Act, 1964. 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 2 is incorrect because the court ruled that dower cannot be reduced or apportioned without a specific legal finding, rejecting the idea that it is at the court's discretion. Statements 1 and 3 accurately reflect the case background and the legal context provided in the ruling. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017050/wifes-right-to-dower-remains-protected-if-marriage-dissolved-due-to-husbands-misconduct-lhc, 20 Jul 2026]
#8819
Which of the following statements regarding the Australian market performance on July 27, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The S&P/ASX 200 index rose to 8,851.30 points.
(b) Technology stocks jumped by 3.8%.
(c) Miners gained 2.1% during the session.
(d) The benchmark index fell by 0.9% on the previous Friday.
Explanation: The benchmark index fell by 0.8% on the previous Friday, not 0.9%. The other statements accurately reflect the market data from the session. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431982/australian-shares-rise-nearly-1-as-middle-east-de-escalation-boosts-sentiment, 27 Jul 2026]
#8820
Which company was identified as the heaviest mover during the market decline on March 9, 2026?
(a) K-Electric Limited
(b) First National Equities Limited
(c) The Bank of Punjab
(d) Engro Corporation
Explanation: K-Electric Limited was the heaviest mover during the session, tumbling 7.81 percent on a trading volume of over 127 million shares. The Bank of Punjab and First National Equities Limited also saw significant drops but had lower trading volumes. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980057/bloodbath-at-psx-as-kse-100-slides-over-11000-points, 09 Mar 2026]