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.
#9741
In the context of the 2026 conflict, what is the duration of the ceasefire agreed upon between Iran and the United States?
(a) One week
(b) Two weeks
(c) One month
(d) Three months
Explanation: The Iranian leadership confirmed a two-week ceasefire with the United States to facilitate potential peace negotiations. This period is intended to de-escalate tensions following recent military engagements. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990308/in-written-message-iran-supreme-leader-says-tehran-does-not-seek-war-but-will-not-renounce-legitimate-rights, 09 Apr 2026]
#9742
On what date in 2026 did the Pakistan Airports Authority issue the Notam extending the airspace ban on Indian aircraft?
(a) August 23, 2026
(b) July 24, 2026
(c) August 12, 2026
(d) July 18, 2026
Explanation: The PAA issued the specific Notam regarding the extension on July 18, 2026. August 23 is the date until which the ban is extended, not the date of the announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016474/paa-extends-airspace-ban-on-indian-aircraft-until-aug-23, 18 Jul 2026]
#9743
Considering the sequence of governance and economic actions reported on August 11, 2026, which of the following represents the correct chronological order of the event categories based on their thematic emergence in the official reporting cycle?
(a) Judicial Appointments -> Remittance Growth -> Transporter Strike -> Cabinet Policy Approvals
(b) Remittance Growth -> Transporter Strike -> Judicial Appointments -> Cabinet Policy Approvals
(c) Cabinet Policy Approvals -> Remittance Growth -> Judicial Appointments -> Transporter Strike
(d) Transporter Strike -> Cabinet Policy Approvals -> Judicial Appointments -> Remittance Growth
Explanation: Chronological reporting for the day reflects the official approval of judicial appointments, followed by the announcement of remittance increases, the ongoing industrial strike of transporters, and finally, federal cabinet policy approvals. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022098/president-zardari-approves-additional-judges-appointments-to-high-courts-after-days-long-delay]
#9744
Consider the following statements about the legal challenges mentioned: 1. The KP Chief Minister was summoned for alleged defamation of state institutions. 2. The Lahore High Court dismissed the plea to suspend the sentence citing Article 199 as a substitute for Section 426 of the CrPC. 3. The next hearing for the KP Chief Minister's case is scheduled for September 3, 2026. 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 text. The Chief Minister faces defamation charges, the LHC ruled that Article 199 cannot replace statutory appellate power, and the next hearing is set for September 3. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017406/arrest-warrants-out-for-kp-cm-afridi-over-failure-to-appear-in-court, 22 Jul 2026]
#9745
What was the total prize pool for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
(a) 440 million dollars
(b) 4 billion dollars
(c) 871 million dollars
(d) 7 billion dollars
Explanation: The total prize pool for the 2026 tournament was increased to 871 million dollars, up from 440 million dollars in the 2022 Qatar tournament. The 4 billion dollar figure refers to projected TV rights revenue, while 7 billion refers to total projected revenue. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017102/with-more-game-fifa-showpiece-shatters-attendance-and-tv-records, 21 Jul 2026]
#9746
Which of the following Afghan provinces were targeted during the precision air strikes conducted by Pakistan on the night of June 28/29, 2026?
(a) Kandahar, Helmand, and Nimruz
(b) Nangarhar, Logar, and Khost
(c) Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar
(d) None of these
Explanation: The precision strikes targeted terrorist hideouts specifically located in the Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. None of these is incorrect because the correct provinces are explicitly identified in the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011438/security-forces-kill-29-terrorists-in-ground-ops-air-strikes-along-pak-afghan-border-info-minister, 28 Jun 2026]
#9747
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic efforts in 2026: 1. Pakistan has been actively working to bring Tehran and Washington to the table for talks. 2. The Iranian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan twice within a two-day period. 3. The conflict involving Iran began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026. 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 diplomatic events of April 2026. Pakistan's mediation role, the frequency of the Iranian minister's visits, and the timeline of the conflict's origin are all verified details. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995258/irans-araghchi-visits-pakistan-for-2nd-time-in-two-days-envoy-says-trip-undertaken-to-discuss-regional-developments, 26 Apr 2026]
#9748
Which police official held the press conference on July 5, 2026, to detail the recovery of the foreign women?
(a) DIG Operations Faisal Kamran
(b) Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique
(c) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Anwar
(d) None of these
Explanation: DIG Operations Faisal Kamran addressed the media on July 5, 2026, to clarify the police's role in the rescue and the status of the investigation. The other names are prominent police officials but were not the primary spokespersons for this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013143/foreign-women-abduction-case-police-ordered-to-treat-minister-linked-suspect-like-any-other-criminal, 05 Jul 2026]
#9749
During his visit to Istanbul on July 4, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set a bilateral trade target of:
(a) $1 billion
(b) $3 billion
(c) $10 billion
(d) $5 billion
Explanation: The leaders identified a target of $5 billion in bilateral trade as a key objective to unlock the full potential of the economic partnership. This figure represents the mutually agreed goal discussed during the official visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#9750
Who is the current Interior Minister of Pakistan who held talks with his Iranian counterpart in July 2026?
(a) Rana Sanaullah
(b) Mohsin Naqvi
(c) Sheikh Rashid Ahmed
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohsin Naqvi is the serving Interior Minister of Pakistan who hosted the Iranian delegation. Rana Sanaullah and Sheikh Rashid are former interior ministers, making them incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017481/pakistan-ready-to-extend-cooperation-with-iran-in-all-fields-naqvi-tells-iranian-counterpart, 22 Jul 2026]
#9751
What was the total number of teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
(a) 32 teams
(b) 48 teams
(c) 40 teams
(d) 64 teams
Explanation: The 2026 FIFA World Cup was expanded to include 48 teams, which FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted as a primary driver for the record-breaking attendance and viewership figures. This is a significant increase from the previous 32-team format used in earlier tournaments. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017102/with-more-game-fifa-showpiece-shatters-attendance-and-tv-records, 21 Jul 2026]
#9752
For how many hours were flight operations at Islamabad International Airport scheduled to be suspended on March 16, 2026?
(a) Five hours
(b) Three hours
(c) Four hours
(d) Two hours
Explanation: The PAA announced that flight operations would be temporarily suspended for a duration of two hours, specifically from 08:30am to 10:30am PKT on March 16, 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982043/flight-operations-at-islamabad-airport-to-remain-suspended-for-2-hours-on-march-16-paa, 14 Mar 2026]
#9753
Who is heading the special committee constituted to examine the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026?
(a) Shaza Fatima Khawaja
(b) Azam Nazeer Tarar
(c) Shehbaz Sharif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar is heading the special committee tasked with reviewing the bill following public concerns and controversy over its clauses. Shaza Fatima Khawaja is the IT Minister who addressed the press conference alongside him. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013161/it-minister-stresses-proposed-telecom-bill-needed-as-existing-laws-insufficient-for-5g-other-modern-tech, 05 Jul 2026]
#9754
Which of the following statements regarding the fuel tax structure in July 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The petroleum levy on diesel stands at approximately Rs80 per litre.
(b) The petroleum levy on petrol stands at approximately Rs70 per litre.
(c) The government reduced the climate support levy to zero to offset price hikes.
(d) The customs duty on petrol is Rs16 per litre.
Explanation: The government actually doubled the climate support levy to Rs5 per litre, not reduced it to zero. Options A, B, and C accurately reflect the tax components mentioned in the fiscal data. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012738/govt-slashes-petrol-diesel-prices-by-rs197, 03 Jul 2026]
#9755
Consider the following statements about the security operations conducted on June 28, 2026: 1. The ground operation resulted in the death of a high-value commander named Khan Farosh. 2. The Karachi Rangers camp attack was attributed to terrorists belonging to Jamaatul Ahrar. 3. The air strikes destroyed large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at terrorist hideouts. 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 correct. The ground operation neutralized Khan Farosh, the Karachi attack was linked to Jamaatul Ahrar, and the air strikes successfully destroyed significant caches of weapons and ammunition. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011438/security-forces-kill-29-terrorists-in-ground-ops-air-strikes-along-pak-afghan-border-info-minister, 28 Jun 2026]
#9756
Consider the following statements about the Sindh government's relief measures announced on April 5, 2026: 1. The government decided to make all public bus travel entirely free across the province. 2. The total contribution by the Sindh government towards the overall subsidy framework is approximately Rs 14 billion. 3. The fare freeze agreement applies to both inter-city and intra-city routes. 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 incorrect because the government opted for a fare freeze rather than making buses free, which was a policy adopted by Punjab and Islamabad. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate regarding the financial contribution and the scope of the transport routes covered. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988836/sindh-cm-secures-fare-freeze-after-talks-with-transporters-amid-fuel-price-hike, 05 Apr 2026]
#9757
Which Pakistani minister accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his official visit to Turkiye in July 2026?
(a) Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar
(c) Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif
(d) Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal
Explanation: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, accompanied the Prime Minister on his visit. The other ministers listed were not mentioned as part of the official delegation for this specific trip. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012743/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-official-visit, 03 Jul 2026]
#9758
Consider the following statements about the repatriation of Afghan nationals: 1. The government reported that over 1.1 million Afghan nationals were deported in 2025. 2. The current repatriation drive was first launched in 2023. 3. The directive requires daily reporting to the Ministry of Interior starting from July 10, 2026. 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 1,155,221 individuals were deported in 2025. Statement 2 is correct as the drive began in 2023. Statement 3 is incorrect because the daily reporting requirement commences on July 11, 2026, not July 10. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011435/interior-ministry-issues-directive-to-arrest-afghan-nationals-without-valid-visas-from-july-10, 28 Jun 2026]
#9759
Consider the following statements about the 2026 FIFA World Cup: 1. FIFA projected total revenues for 2026 to exceed seven billion euros. 2. The tournament saw a 56 percent increase in revenue compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. 3. Each participating team was guaranteed a minimum of 50 million dollars. 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 regarding revenue projections and growth. Statement 3 is incorrect because the guaranteed minimum for each participating team was 12.5 million dollars, while 50 million dollars was the prize for the tournament winners. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017102/with-more-game-fifa-showpiece-shatters-attendance-and-tv-records, 21 Jul 2026]
#9760
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which region was specifically identified as being at risk of flash floods in hill torrents on April 6, 2026?
(a) Dera Ghazi Khan
(b) Murree and Galiyat
(c) Gilgit-Baltistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD forecast explicitly identified the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab as being prone to flash flooding due to heavy rainfall on April 6, 2026. While Murree and Galiyat were mentioned in the context of landslides, they were not the primary focus for hill torrent flash floods on that specific date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988866/met-office-forecasts-widespread-rain-thunderstorms-in-parts-of-balochistan-kp-punjab-on-monday, 05 Apr 2026]