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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#9001

Consider the following statements about the security situation in Balochistan as of July 23, 2026: 1. The Chief of Defence Forces pledged to continue operations until terrorism is eliminated. 2. The security strategy relies solely on military force without public involvement. 3. The federal and provincial governments are pursuing development initiatives in the province. 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 CDF vowed to continue operations. Statement 3 is correct as the government is pursuing development. Statement 2 is incorrect because the strategy explicitly emphasizes the necessity of public support. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431473/field-marshal-munir-vows-to-continue-operations-against-terrorists-in-balochistan, 23 Jul 2026]
#9002

Regarding the evolving landscape of governance and security in Pakistan as of July 30, 2026, consider the following statements:

(a) Only 1 and 2 are correct.
(b) Only 2 and 3 are correct.
(c) Only 1 and 3 are correct.
(d) All statements are correct.
Explanation: Statement 1 is accurate as federal internal security challenges remain high following the Hangu attack; statement 2 reflects the Punjab Revenue Authority's focus on digital taxation through EIMS; and statement 3 correctly identifies the ongoing parliamentary critique surrounding the 27th Constitutional Amendment. All these events reflect contemporary governance challenges in Pakistan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019442/9-cops-martyred-28-injured-as-police-checkpost-comes-under-attack-in-kps-hangu]
#9003

Which official holds the position of Balochistan Home Minister as of 2026-07-24?

(a) Mir Sarfraz Bugti
(b) Mir Ziaullah Langove
(c) Abdul Hakeem Kakar
(d) Tariq Lashari
Explanation: Mir Ziaullah Langove is the Home Minister of Balochistan who condemned the attack. Mir Sarfraz Bugti is the Chief Minister, and the others are judicial officers. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#9004

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026, what is the required population range for a Village or Neighbourhood Council?

(a) 10,000 to 20,000
(b) 30,000 to 40,000
(c) 50,000 to 60,000
(d) 70,000 to 80,000
Explanation: The amendment stipulates a population range of 30,000 to 40,000 for Village and Neighbourhood Councils, subject to a 10% permissible variation. This specific range is the focal point of the ECP's objection regarding the feasibility of delimitation. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#9005

Which constitutional article does the Election Commission of Pakistan cite as being undermined by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026?

(a) Article 140-A
(b) Article 218
(c) Article 222
(d) Article 224
Explanation: The ECP explicitly referenced Article 222 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which protects the powers of the Election Commission from being abridged by provincial legislation. Article 140-A relates to the devolution of political, administrative, and financial responsibility to local governments, but is not the specific article cited in this dispute. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#9006

Which of the following statements regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026 is INCORRECT?

(a) It was unanimously supported by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
(b) It received the assent of the Governor on July 16, 2026.
(c) It was officially notified on July 21, 2026.
(d) It was passed by the KP Assembly on July 6, 2026.
Explanation: The ECP has formally opposed the amendment, terming it a 'delaying tactic' for local government elections. The other three statements accurately reflect the timeline of the bill's passage, assent, and notification. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#9007

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]
#9008

Who is the current Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to whom the ECP addressed its concerns regarding the 2026 amendment?

(a) Shahab Ali Shah
(b) Nadeem Qasim
(c) Sardar Sikander Shaheen
(d) None of these
Explanation: Shahab Ali Shah is the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who received the official correspondence from the ECP. Nadeem Qasim is the Additional Director General of the ECP who authored the letter, not the recipient. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#9009

Consider the following statements about the ECP's objection to the KP Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026: 1. The ECP claims the amendment contradicts its constitutional authority to delimit constituencies. 2. The amendment requires the ECP to consult with the provincial government when waiving population conditions. 3. The ECP argues that the amendment is a necessary step to expedite the local government election process. 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 they reflect the ECP's legal stance and the specific provision of the amendment they oppose. Statement 3 is incorrect because the ECP views the amendment as a 'delaying tactic' rather than a measure to expedite the election process. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431520/ecp-opposes-key-amendment-to-kps-lg-law, 24 Jul 2026]
#9010

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]
#9011

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]
#9012

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]
#9013

Which of the following is NOT a category of business exempted from the 9pm closing time in Sindh as per the May 2026 notification?

(a) Wedding halls
(b) Shopping malls
(c) Food outlets
(d) Public sector offices
Explanation: The notification specifically exempted commercial entities like wedding halls, shopping malls, and food outlets from the 9pm closing time. Public sector offices were not included in this commercial market timing exemption. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000676/sindh-lifts-curbs-on-market-timings-minister-says-step-taken-to-facilitate-businesses-citizens, 16 May 2026]
#9014

Who announced the decision to lift market timing restrictions in Sindh on May 16, 2026?

(a) Murad Ali Shah
(b) Sharjeel Memon
(c) Saeed Ghani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sharjeel Memon, serving as the Sindh Senior Minister, officially announced the exemption of markets and businesses from fixed closing times. Murad Ali Shah is the Chief Minister, but the specific announcement regarding this policy shift was attributed to the Senior Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000676/sindh-lifts-curbs-on-market-timings-minister-says-step-taken-to-facilitate-businesses-citizens, 16 May 2026]
#9015

Consider the following statements about the market timing policies in May 2026: 1. The federal government announced a nationwide 8pm market closure policy on April 6, 2026. 2. The Sindh government's decision to lift curbs was intended to facilitate businesses and citizens. 3. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government requested citizens to continue observing electricity conservation measures despite lifting timing restrictions. 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 provided information. The federal government did announce the 8pm policy in April, Sindh cited facilitation as the reason for the change, and KP explicitly requested continued electricity conservation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000676/sindh-lifts-curbs-on-market-timings-minister-says-step-taken-to-facilitate-businesses-citizens, 16 May 2026]
#9016

According to the claims made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on May 20, 2026, what percentage of vision has the former prime minister allegedly lost in one eye?

(a) 85 per cent
(b) 75 per cent
(c) 50 per cent
(d) 95 per cent
Explanation: The Chief Minister stated during the press conference that the former prime minister has lost 85 per cent of his vision in one eye. This figure was cited as a primary reason for the demand for specialized medical care. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001835/afridi-aleema-claim-shots-were-fired-at-adiala-sit-in-participants, 20 May 2026]
#9017

Which of the following statements regarding Pakistan's recent domestic policy developments as of July 29, 2026, are correct?

(a) Only 1 and 2 are correct.
(b) Only 2 and 3 are correct.
(c) Only 1 and 3 are correct.
(d) 1, 2, and 3 are all correct.
Explanation: The digitization of welfare via the Rahmat Card aims to increase transparency, the FBR is implementing new tax regimes to address fiscal deficits, and monsoon-related climate events continue to pose significant infrastructure and human safety risks in cities like Lahore. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40432278/jazzcash-begins-rahmat-card-digital-disbursements]
#9018

Which of the following claims was NOT made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister or Aleema Khan during the press conference on May 20, 2026?

(a) Shots were fired at the sit-in participants on Tuesday night.
(b) Wheat supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been blocked by the federal government.
(c) The former prime minister secured a deal for petroleum products at 30 per cent lower rates from Russia.
(d) The judiciary is currently operating with complete independence in all cases.
Explanation: Aleema Khan explicitly claimed that the judiciary had been 'managed' and that no judge was willing to independently hear the cases, making the false statement. The other options reflect claims made by the speakers during the event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001835/afridi-aleema-claim-shots-were-fired-at-adiala-sit-in-participants, 20 May 2026]
#9019

Assess the following statements regarding Pakistan's recent national administration and economic governance indicators: 1. The digitization of the CM Punjab Rahmat Card program signals a move toward data-driven transparency in social welfare. 2. The Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) new tax regime for small shopkeepers is independent of the stabilization requirements set by international financial institutions. 3. Headline GDP growth remains the sole proxy through which the government assesses the current disparity in household welfare levels. 4. Ranking as the fourth weakest globally, the 2026 Henley Passport Index highlights a significant metric regarding Pakistan's diplomatic influence and global integration.

(a) Only 1 and 4 are correct
(b) Only 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 1, 2, and 4 are correct
(d) 1, 3, and 4 are correct
Explanation: Statement 1 is accurate as JazzCash is facilitating digital disbursements for the Rahmat Card. Statement 2 is incorrect because the FBR's tax expansion is explicitly linked to IMF requirements. Statement 3 is incorrect as the current discourse critiques the reliance on GDP by emphasizing that it fails to capture actual household welfare. Statement 4 is accurate as the 2026 Henley Index explicitly ranks the Pakistani passport as the fourth weakest globally. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40432278/jazzcash-begins-rahmat-card-digital-disbursements]
#9020

Consider the following statements regarding the events of May 20, 2026: 1. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister claimed that the province is a major supplier of gas to the country. 2. The sit-in participants were attempting to reach Adiala Jail to meet the former prime minister. 3. The government has officially confirmed that it fired shots to disperse the protesters at Chungi No. 26. 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 accurate based on the Chief Minister's claims. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government did not confirm firing shots; rather, the protesters alleged that shots were fired at them. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001835/afridi-aleema-claim-shots-were-fired-at-adiala-sit-in-participants, 20 May 2026]