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.
#12101
Which of the following statements regarding the March 8, 2026, border incident is INCORRECT?
(a) The Ghulam Khan border crossing remains fully operational for trade and travel.
(b) The incident involved an exchange of fire between two sides of the border.
(c) A child was killed as a result of the mortar shell explosion.
(d) Four people sustained injuries during the incident.
Explanation: The Ghulam Khan border crossing is currently closed due to the security situation, making the statement that it remains fully operational incorrect. The other statements accurately reflect the reported facts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979869/child-killed-four-injured-after-mortar-shell-allegedly-fired-from-afghanistan-lands-in-north-waziristan-neighbourhood, 08 Mar 2026]
#12102
In 2026, Pakistan became the 28th permanent member of which international organization?
(a) International Olive Council
(b) International Food Policy Research Institute
(c) World Olive Oil Federation
(d) None of these
Explanation: Pakistan officially joined the International Olive Council in May 2026, becoming the first South Asian country to attain this status. This membership is crucial for aligning domestic production with international quality and trade standards. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018683/harvest-of-hope, 27 Jul 2026]
#12103
Which of the following is NOT a term used by the Pakistani Foreign Office to describe the events at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on April 21, 2026?
(a) Reprehensible
(b) Legitimate security operation
(c) Provocative steps
(d) Blatant violation of international law
Explanation: The Foreign Office condemned the acts as reprehensible and a violation of international law. It did not characterize the event as a legitimate security operation, making the incorrect description. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993856/reprehensible-pakistan-condemns-storming-of-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-raising-of-israeli-flag-in-its-courtyard, 21 Apr 2026]
#12104
In the context of the 2026 diplomatic milestones, how many years have passed since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China?
(a) 70 years
(b) 75 years
(c) 80 years
(d) 65 years
Explanation: The Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson noted that the friendship has spanned 75 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties. This figure is a specific historical marker cited in the official briefing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003567/pakistan-china-agree-to-deepen-military-cooperation-chinese-defense-ministry, 28 May 2026]
#12105
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic visit in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) Pakistan acted as a mediator between the Iranian and American delegations.
(b) The Iranian Foreign Minister visited Islamabad to discuss regional peace and stability.
(c) The Iranian delegation confirmed that direct meetings with the US were planned.
(d) The US officials were expected to report back to the White House after their engagements.
Explanation: The Iranian foreign ministry explicitly stated that no direct meetings were planned between the Iranian and US delegations. Therefore, the statement claiming such meetings were planned is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#12106
In which sector of Islamabad were the Aurat March activists detained by the police on March 8, 2026?
(a) Sector F-7
(b) Sector G-7
(c) Sector I-8
(d) Sector F-6
Explanation: The activists were detained near the Super Market located in Sector F-6. Other sectors listed are common residential or commercial areas in Islamabad but were not the site of this specific police action. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#12107
Who led the Iranian delegation that arrived in Islamabad on April 24, 2026?
(a) Esmaeil Baqaei
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(d) None of these
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister of Iran who led the delegation to Islamabad. Esmaeil Baqaei is the spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, not the head of the delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#12108
Through which gate did the illegal settlers enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on April 21, 2026?
(a) Jaffa Gate
(b) Mughrabi Gate
(c) Damascus Gate
(d) None of these
Explanation: The report confirms that the settlers forced their way into the site through the Mughrabi Gate under police protection. Other gates listed are historical entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem but were not the site of this specific breach. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993856/reprehensible-pakistan-condemns-storming-of-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-raising-of-israeli-flag-in-its-courtyard, 21 Apr 2026]
#12109
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the fresh monsoon rainfall cycle is expected to persist until which date in 2026?
(a) August 2
(b) August 5
(c) August 8
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD advisory explicitly states that the fresh spell of monsoon rains is expected to affect the country from July 29 to August 5, 2026. Option A is incorrect as it represents the end date for specific Sindh-related warnings, not the national cycle. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018977/pmd-forecasts-fresh-spell-of-monsoon-rains-across-country-from-july-29-to-august-5, 28 Jul 2026]
#12110
Which US officials were reported to be traveling to Pakistan for talks in April 2026?
(a) Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
(b) Antony Blinken and William Burns
(c) Jake Sullivan and Brett McGurk
(d) None of these
Explanation: The White House confirmed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner were dispatched to Pakistan. The other names are prominent US officials but were not the envoys mentioned in this specific diplomatic mission. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994680/iranian-delegation-led-by-fm-araghchi-lands-in-islamabad-us-officials-to-also-arrive-in-pakistan, 24 Apr 2026]
#12111
What was the peak price per litre reached by high-speed diesel (HSD) on April 3, 2026?
(a) Rs335.86
(b) Rs458.40
(c) Rs311.47
(d) Rs520.35
Explanation: On April 3, 2026, HSD prices reached a peak of Rs520.35 per litre. The other figures represent different historical price points for either petrol or diesel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011069/govt-keeps-petrol-diesel-prices-unchanged-till-further-orders, 26 Jun 2026]
#12112
Which of the following is NOT a potential risk or impact identified by the PMD for the weather period of March 24-30, 2026?
(a) Widespread drought conditions
(b) Landslides in vulnerable areas
(c) Damage to solar panels
(d) Damage to electric poles
Explanation: The PMD warns of rain, thunderstorms, flash floods, and damage to infrastructure like solar panels and electric poles; drought is the opposite of the forecasted heavy rainfall. Therefore, drought is the INCORRECT impact. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984621/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-across-country-from-march-24-30, 23 Mar 2026]
#12113
In which district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did the mortar shell incident occur on March 8, 2026?
(a) South Waziristan
(b) North Waziristan
(c) Kurram District
(d) None of these
Explanation: The incident took place in the Ghulam Khan area of North Waziristan. South Waziristan and Kurram are adjacent districts but were not the site of this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979869/child-killed-four-injured-after-mortar-shell-allegedly-fired-from-afghanistan-lands-in-north-waziristan-neighbourhood, 08 Mar 2026]
#12114
Which fiscal tool did the Prime Minister utilize to reduce the petrol price to Rs378 per litre following the April 2026 price hike?
(a) General sales tax
(b) Petroleum levy
(c) Customs duty
(d) Excise duty
Explanation: The government slashed the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre to provide immediate relief to consumers. This is a common fiscal instrument used to adjust the final ex-depot price of fuel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011069/govt-keeps-petrol-diesel-prices-unchanged-till-further-orders, 26 Jun 2026]
#12115
Consider the following statements about the regional security context on March 8, 2026: 1. Iran has been conducting retaliatory strikes in Gulf countries targeting US assets. 2. The incident involved a projectile intercepted over the Sistan-Baluchistan province. 3. The victim was killed by a direct strike from an Iranian air defense missile. 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 Iran has been targeting US assets in the region. Statement 2 is correct regarding the location of the interception. Statement 3 is incorrect because the victim was killed by falling debris from an intercepted projectile, not by a direct strike from an Iranian missile. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979820/gwadar-fisherman-killed-by-debris-from-israeli-projectile-in-iran-waters, 08 Mar 2026]
#12116
Which military measure did the United States maintain despite the extension of the ceasefire in April 2026?
(a) The deployment of ground troops to the border
(b) A total air exclusion zone over Tehran
(c) A naval blockade of Iranian ports
(d) The imposition of a complete telecommunications blackout
Explanation: While the ceasefire was extended to allow for diplomatic negotiations, the United States explicitly stated that the naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place. This distinguishes the ceasefire from a total cessation of all hostile military posturing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#12117
Who requested the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire from President Donald Trump in April 2026?
(a) Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir
(b) Ishaq Dar and Natalie Baker
(c) Attaullah Tarar and JD Vance
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir formally requested the extension to facilitate ongoing diplomatic efforts. The request was acknowledged by President Trump on his social media platform. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]
#12118
Which judicial body issued the stay order against the deportation of the petitioner named 'Quaid-i-Azam' on 2026-07-28?
(a) Supreme Court of Pakistan
(b) Islamabad High Court
(c) Lahore High Court
(d) Peshawar High Court
Explanation: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench, comprising Justice Waqar Ahmed and Justice Inamullah Khan, issued the order. The other high courts listed are incorrect as they were not involved in this specific case. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018808/phc-stops-deportation-of-man-named-quaid-i-azam-directs-him-to-appear-before-nadra-board, 28 Jul 2026]
#12119
The petitioner in the 2026-07-28 PHC case was directed to appear before which specific body for identity verification?
(a) Federal Investigation Agency Board
(b) Ministry of Interior Review Committee
(c) NADRA Verification Board
(d) None of these
Explanation: The court explicitly directed the petitioner to appear before the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) verification board to address the suspicious status of his identity card. The other options are incorrect as they do not represent the specific administrative body tasked with this verification. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018808/phc-stops-deportation-of-man-named-quaid-i-azam-directs-him-to-appear-before-nadra-board, 28 Jul 2026]
#12120
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic developments in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The original ceasefire agreement was brokered by Pakistan.
(b) President Trump announced the ceasefire extension on his Truth Social platform.
(c) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly thanked President Trump for the extension.
(d) The United States immediately lifted the naval blockade upon announcing the ceasefire extension.
Explanation: The statement that the naval blockade was lifted is incorrect, as the United States explicitly maintained the blockade despite the ceasefire extension. The other three statements are factually accurate regarding the events of April 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993810/at-the-request-of-cdf-munir-pm-shehbaz-trump-announces-extension-in-ceasefire-until-iran-submits-proposal, 21 Apr 2026]