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.
#9361
According to the IMF review of May 2026, what was the level of Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves at the end of December 2025?
(a) 16.0 billion dollars
(b) 14.5 billion dollars
(c) 18.2 billion dollars
(d) 20.5 billion dollars
Explanation: The IMF report confirmed that foreign exchange reserves reached $16 billion by the end of December 2025, an increase from the $14.5 billion recorded in June 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#9362
According to the 2026 astronomical forecast, on what date was the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH expected to be born?
(a) March 17, 2026
(b) March 18, 2026
(c) March 19, 2026
(d) None of these
Explanation: The astronomical analysis stated that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 6:23 am. This timing is critical for determining the visibility of the crescent at sunset on the same day. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980975/eidul-fitr-likely-to-fall-on-march-21-suparco, 11 Mar 2026]
#9363
Which of the following government officials were reported missing following the flash floods in Nuristan on July 21, 2026?
(a) The Provincial Governor
(b) The Mayor of Parun
(c) The Minister of Defense
(d) The Chief of Police
Explanation: The governor's office reported that the mayor of Parun was among those missing after the deluge. The provincial governor was not reported missing, and the defense minister is a national-level official. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]
#9364
Which of the following is NOT a component of the security measures reported during the 2026 escort operation?
(a) Deployment of two dozen fighter jets
(b) Use of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)
(c) Ground-based infantry escort to Tehran
(d) Aerial surveillance of the delegation's path
Explanation: The security operation was conducted entirely through aerial assets, including fighter jets and AWACS for surveillance. There was no mention of a ground-based infantry escort to Tehran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992620/pakistan-escorted-iranian-negotiators-home-from-peace-talks-amid-concerns-of-israeli-attack-sources-say, 17 Apr 2026]
#9365
Who is the current Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as of July 2026?
(a) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal
(b) Justice (retd) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan
(c) Justice (retd) Raja Saeed Akram
(d) None of these
Explanation: Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal is the Chief Election Commissioner who announced the three-phase electoral schedule. The other names are not associated with this specific announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017254/ajk-election-commissioner-says-polls-to-be-held-in-three-phases-beginning-july-27, 21 Jul 2026]
#9366
Which facility, alongside the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), provided funding to Pakistan in the May 2026 IMF review?
(a) Precautionary and Liquidity Line
(b) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust
(c) Flexible Credit Line
(d) Resilience and Sustainability Facility
Explanation: The financing package consists of funds from the EFF and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The other options are alternative IMF lending instruments not utilized in this specific disbursement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]
#9367
Consider the following statements about the security situation in southern Lebanon as of 2026: 1. The Lebanese military has begun intensifying patrols in villages adjacent to areas occupied by Israeli forces. 2. Hezbollah has fully endorsed the trilateral framework and agreed to immediate disarmament. 3. The pilot zones are intended to trial the security approach before extending it to other regions. 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 military has increased patrols in areas like Froun. Statement 3 is correct as the pilot zones serve as a trial for a broader rollout. Statement 2 is incorrect because Hezbollah has explicitly rejected the framework. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017160/lebanese-army-begins-takeover-of-pilot-zones, 21 Jul 2026]
#9368
Which of the following statements regarding the July 2026 wildfire dispute is INCORRECT?
(a) The US President suggested that Canada should pay damages for the smoke impact.
(b) The US government has already finalized a permanent trade embargo against Canada.
(c) The wildfire smoke threatened to disrupt the World Cup final.
(d) The US President accused Canada of negligence regarding the fires.
Explanation: There is no evidence that a permanent trade embargo has been finalized; the administration only threatened the use of tariffs as a potential leverage tool. The other statements accurately reflect the events reported on July 21, 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017162/trump-seeks-damages-from-canada-over-wildfires, 21 Jul 2026]
#9369
Which Canadian Foreign Minister visited Islamabad in July 2026, marking the first such visit in nearly 20 years?
(a) Melanie Joly
(b) Anita Anand
(c) Marc Garneau
(d) Chrystia Freeland
Explanation: Anita Anand conducted the official visit to Pakistan in July 2026, which was noted as the first visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister to the country in approximately two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]
#9370
Consider the following statements about the July 2026 Canada-Pakistan diplomatic engagement: 1. Canada announced $45 million specifically for development assistance including climate resilience and girls' education. 2. The security assistance package of $2.2 million includes partnerships with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 3. Pakistan raised the Kashmir dispute during the bilateral talks with the Canadian Foreign 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: All three statements are factually accurate based on the official outcomes of the visit. The aid is split between development ($45m) and security ($2.2m), and the Kashmir issue was formally raised by the Pakistani side. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]
#9371
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in July 2026: 1. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi identified peace and security as key goals in relations with Islamabad. 2. Pakistan has previously mediated an interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran. 3. The Iranian Interior Minister held talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff. 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 events of July 21, 2026. The Foreign Minister emphasized security, Pakistan has a history of mediating the US-Iran conflict, and the Interior Minister's itinerary included meetings with the Prime Minister and the Army Chief. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]
#9372
As of 2026, how many Indian states are reported to enforce strict anti-conversion laws?
(a) 13 states
(b) 18 states
(c) 21 states
(d) 28 states
Explanation: The 2026 USCIRF assessment explicitly identifies that 13 out of 28 Indian states enforce these specific legal frameworks. The figure 28 represents the total number of states in India, not the number with anti-conversion laws. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998729/us-religious-freedom-commission-calls-for-india-to-be-listed-as-country-of-particular-concern, 08 May 2026]
#9373
Who led the police operation following the suicide attack in Bannu on May 9, 2026?
(a) Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan
(b) District Police Officer Qudratullah Khan
(c) The Inspector General of Police KP
(d) The Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary
Explanation: Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan personally led the police operation at the site of the attack. Qudratullah Khan is the spokesman for the DPO in Lakki Marwat, serving as a plausible distractor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998957/police-foil-suicide-attack-on-bannu-post-at-least-2-personnel-martyred, 09 May 2026]
#9374
Which Iranian official arrived in Islamabad on July 21, 2026, to hold talks regarding the US-Iran conflict?
(a) Eskander Momeni
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Mohammad Javad Zarif
(d) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
Explanation: Interior Minister Eskander Momeni arrived in Islamabad to discuss the US-Iran conflict with Pakistani leadership. Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister who remained in Tehran to receive the Pakistani ambassador. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]
#9375
What specific directive did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issue regarding petroleum products during the meeting on July 16, 2026?
(a) To increase the import of crude oil from regional partners
(b) To privatize the state-owned petroleum distribution network
(c) To take strict action against those creating artificial shortages
(d) To implement a total ban on private vehicle fuel consumption
Explanation: The Prime Minister directed provincial governments to take strict action against entities involved in creating artificial shortages of petroleum products to ensure supply stability. The other options were not part of the stated directives. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]
#9376
The intraday volatility on July 21, 2026, was primarily attributed to geopolitical tensions between which two nations?
(a) Pakistan and India
(b) Saudi Arabia and Yemen
(c) Russia and Ukraine
(d) United States and Iran
Explanation: The market volatility was explicitly linked to heightened tensions and exchanged strikes between the United States and Iran. This geopolitical friction caused a risk-off sentiment and an increase in international oil prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]
#9377
According to the 2026 security framework, how deep is the 'security zone' that Israeli officials have vowed to maintain along the frontier?
(a) 5 kilometres
(b) 15 kilometres
(c) 10 kilometres
(d) 20 kilometres
Explanation: Israeli officials have stated that their forces will remain in a security zone 10 kilometres deep along the frontier until the disarmament of Hezbollah is achieved. This remains a point of contention in the ongoing negotiations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017160/lebanese-army-begins-takeover-of-pilot-zones, 21 Jul 2026]
#9378
On July 21, 2026, President Donald Trump held discussions regarding wildfire smoke damages with which Canadian leader?
(a) Justin Trudeau
(b) Mark Carney
(c) Pierre Poilievre
(d) None of these
Explanation: President Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the World Cup final to discuss the transboundary smoke issue. Justin Trudeau is a former Prime Minister, making him an incorrect choice. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017162/trump-seeks-damages-from-canada-over-wildfires, 21 Jul 2026]
#9379
Who is the newly appointed Ambassador of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran as of July 2026?
(a) Mohsin Naqvi
(b) Imran Ahmed Siddiqui
(c) Syed Asim Munir
(d) None of these
Explanation: Imran Ahmed Siddiqui presented his credentials to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on July 21, 2026. Mohsin Naqvi is the Interior Minister of Pakistan, not the ambassador to Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017147/araghchi-identifies-peace-security-as-key-goals-in-relations-with-islamabad, 21 Jul 2026]
#9380
Consider the following statements about the US-Pakistan trade negotiations as of July 2026: 1. Pakistan successfully negotiated a reduction in the initial IEEPA-based tariff from 29 per cent to 19 per cent in 2025. 2. The temporary global tariff of 10 per cent imposed under Section 122 is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026. 3. India is currently facing a lower proposed tariff under Section 301 than Pakistan. 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 regarding the 2025 tariff reduction. Statement 2 is correct as the Section 122 tariff has a 150-day statutory limit expiring on July 24, 2026. Statement 3 is incorrect because India faces a 12.5% tariff, which is higher than Pakistan's 10%. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016679/finance-minister-aurangzeb-arrives-in-us-on-3-day-visit-expected-to-hold-talks-on-trade-finance-investment, 19 Jul 2026]