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.
#9181
Who was appointed as the Commander of the National Strategic Command on July 24, 2026?
(a) General Syed Asim Munir
(b) General Aamer Raza
(c) General Asif Ali Zardari
(d) None of these
Explanation: Lieutenant General Aamer Raza was promoted to the rank of four-star General and appointed as the Commander of the National Strategic Command on July 24, 2026. General Syed Asim Munir serves as the Chief of Defence Forces, making him an incorrect choice for this specific command role. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431618/lt-gen-aamer-raza-promoted-to-general-appointed-as-commander-of-national-strategic-command, 24 Jul 2026]
#9182
In which city was the lawsuit filed by Anthropic against the United States government on March 10, 2026?
(a) San Francisco
(b) Washington
(c) New York
(d) Los Angeles
Explanation: The complaint was filed in federal court located in San Francisco. While Washington is the seat of the federal government and the Pentagon, the legal action itself was initiated in the Northern District of California. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980425/anthropic-takes-us-govt-to-court-over-security-risk-designation, 10 Mar 2026]
#9183
Consider the following statements regarding governance and policy developments in Pakistan and international domains as of August 2, 2026:
(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: Statement 1 is incorrect because the US business delegation visit to Karachi was focused on FDI through the SIFC, not the ECP's electoral governance. Statement 2 is accurate as Pakistan Railways is digitizing land records to retrieve encroached state assets. Statement 3 correctly identifies that mining safety in Pakistan is now a provincial mandate following the 18th Constitutional Amendment. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40433041/us-business-team-completes-2-day-visit-of-karachi]
#9184
Arrange the following events in the chronological order of their reported occurrences or policy implementation status as described in the provided updates for August 2, 2026:
(a) 1-3-2-4
(b) 4-1-2-3
(c) 2-4-1-3
(d) 3-2-4-1
Explanation: Based on the provided reports for August 2, 2026: The recovery of 2,552 acres by Pakistan Railways (Event 4) serves as a recent administrative achievement. The EU's enforcement of the AI law (Event 1) and the US delegation visit (Event 2) were confirmed activities of the day, followed by the tragic security updates in Swat (Event 3). [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40433039/railways-retrieves-2552-acres-of-encroached-land]
#9185
Arrange the following events of August 3, 2026, in the correct chronological order of their impact or reporting based on the provided data summaries:
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 4, 3, 2, 1
(c) 2, 4, 1, 3
(d) 3, 1, 4, 2
Explanation: While all events share the date of August 3, 2026, the logic follows the sequence of systemic legislative review, then active regional conflict (Gaza), moving to international diplomatic security (Hormuz), and finally domestic terror incidents (Moscow). [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2020267/no-more-torture]
#9186
Who was appointed as the Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC) on July 24, 2026?
(a) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza
(b) General Aamer Raza
(c) General Asim Munir
(d) None of these
Explanation: General Aamer Raza was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed as the Commander of the National Strategic Command. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza is the incorrect choice as he was the last officer to serve as the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee before that office was abolished. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431733/lt-gen-aamer-promoted-appointed-as-commander-nsc, 24 Jul 2026]
#9187
Who chaired the Senate Standing Committee meeting held on July 24, 2026, regarding federal interference in devolved ministries?
(a) Senator Farooq H. Naek
(b) Senator Raza Rabbani
(c) Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro
(d) Senator Mushahid Hussain
Explanation: Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro chaired the committee meeting where concerns were raised regarding the federal government's failure to adhere to the devolution process mandated by the 18th Amendment. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431713/17-ministries-senate-body-says-concerned-at-govts-meddling, 24 Jul 2026]
#9188
According to the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, what was the primary driver for the decline in dollar sales to banks during the first 10 months of 2026?
(a) Increased investment in domestic manufacturing
(b) Diversion of funds into cryptocurrency trading
(c) Sharp rise in official export-led remittances
(d) Government-imposed limits on foreign currency accounts
Explanation: The chairman of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan noted that billions of dollars were diverted from the banking system into illegal cryptocurrency investments. This outflow contributed to the reduction in dollar sales to banks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018391/war-dries-up-unofficial-dollar-inflows, 26 Jul 2026]
#9189
The Virtual Assets Act 2026 was passed to regulate which of the following sectors in Pakistan?
(a) Cryptocurrency and digital asset providers
(b) Traditional textile export manufacturing
(c) Informal hundi and hawala networks
(d) Cross-border physical commodity trade
Explanation: The Virtual Assets Act 2026 provides a regulatory framework for licensed virtual asset providers, allowing banks to facilitate services for the sector. This is distinct from the informal hundi/hawala systems which remain illegal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018391/war-dries-up-unofficial-dollar-inflows, 26 Jul 2026]
#9190
Which of the following statements regarding the Virtual Assets Act 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) It allows regulated banks to open accounts for entities registered under the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
(b) It establishes a framework for licensed virtual asset providers to operate within the formal financial system.
(c) It was passed in the same year that Pakistan lifted its eight-year ban on crypto-related banking activity.
(d) It permits banks to use customer deposits to trade or invest in digital assets for profit.
Explanation: The Act explicitly prohibits banks from using their own capital or customer deposits to trade, hold, or invest in digital assets. Therefore, is the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018391/war-dries-up-unofficial-dollar-inflows, 26 Jul 2026]
#9191
Where did the meeting between General Aamer Raza and Field Marshal Asim Munir take place on July 27, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister House, Islamabad
(b) Joint Staff Headquarters, Chaklala
(c) Aiwan-i-Sadr, Islamabad
(d) General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi
Explanation: The meeting occurred at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where the CNSC was presented with a guard of honour. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018788/newly-appointed-cnsc-aamer-raza-meets-cdf-asim-munir-in-rawalpindi-ispr, 27 Jul 2026]
#9192
The opposition party, led by Imran Khan, scheduled protests for August 5, 2026, to mark the anniversary of what event?
(a) The dissolution of the National Assembly
(b) The incarceration of its leader
(c) The passage of the 26th Amendment
(d) The start of the lawyers' movement
Explanation: The protests were planned to mark three years since the imprisonment of the PTI leader. This date serves as a focal point for the opposition's mobilization against the current government. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018681/why-coercion-doesnt-work, 27 Jul 2026]
#9193
Who was appointed as the first Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC) in 2026?
(a) General Syed Aamer Raza
(b) General Asim Munir
(c) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza
(d) None of these
Explanation: General Syed Aamer Raza was promoted to the rank of a four-star general and appointed as the first CNSC. Asim Munir serves as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018788/newly-appointed-cnsc-aamer-raza-meets-cdf-asim-munir-in-rawalpindi-ispr, 27 Jul 2026]
#9194
What was the total combined imprisonment sentence handed down to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha by the sessions court in 2026?
(a) 10 years
(b) 17 years
(c) 15 years
(d) 20 years
Explanation: The sessions court sentenced the couple to a combined total of 17 years of imprisonment. This figure represents the cumulative duration of the sentences imposed under the various charges of the PECA. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018916/imaan-hadi-seek-early-hearing-of-their-petition-in-peca-case, 28 Jul 2026]
#9195
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]
#9196
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]
#9197
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]
#9198
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]
#9199
On 28 July 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of which specific body to discuss energy sector reforms?
(a) Cabinet Committee on Energy
(b) National Economic Council
(c) Executive Committee of the National Economic Council
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) to approve amendments to the oil refining policy and discuss strategic petroleum reserves. The other committees listed are distinct bodies with different mandates. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018968/pm-orders-increase-in-countrys-strategic-petroleum-reserves-changes-to-oil-refining-policy-approved, 28 Jul 2026]
#9200
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]