January 2026 Edition
Start January Quiz
January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#12121
The injured victims of the March 8, 2026, incident were transported to which medical facility?
(a) District Headquarters Hospital, Bannu
(b) Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Miranshah
(c) Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Local residents transported the injured to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Miranshah for emergency treatment. Other hospitals listed are not the primary facilities mentioned for this specific incident. [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]
#12122
Consider the following statements about the maritime security situation reported in April 2026: 1. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is coordinating with the Foreign Office to address the hijacking. 2. The hijacked tanker 'Owner 25' was carrying a crew that included an Indonesian captain. 3. The hijacking incident occurred on April 24, 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: Statements 1 and 2 are factually correct based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the hijacking occurred on April 21, 2026, not April 24, which was the date the Minister sought the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994748/minister-seeks-details-on-reports-of-hijacking-of-tanker-with-pakistani-crew-near-somali-coast, 24 Apr 2026]
#12123
Who is the current Foreign Minister of Iran who visited Pakistan in April 2026?
(a) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(b) Mohammad Javad Zarif
(c) Abbas Araghchi
(d) Ali Bagheri Kani
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian Foreign Minister who conducted the diplomatic visits to Pakistan in April 2026. The other individuals listed are former or alternative Iranian officials not serving in this capacity during the specified event. [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]
#12124
Consider the following statements about the 2026 cotton season: 1. The national cotton arrivals increased by 77.3 percent by July 15, 2026. 2. The Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) is located in Multan. 3. Weather fluctuations have had no impact on cotton growth in southern Punjab. 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 per the PCGA report. Statement 2 is correct as the CCRI is based in Multan. Statement 3 is incorrect because the report explicitly mentions that growth in southern Punjab slowed due to weather fluctuations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016601/early-cotton-arrivals-hit-record-527900-bales, 19 Jul 2026]
#12125
Which medical facility received the victims of the police patrol attack in Serai Naurang on March 8, 2026?
(a) Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Serai Naurang
(b) District Headquarters Hospital, Lakki Marwat
(c) Combined Military Hospital, Bannu
(d) Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
Explanation: The victims, including the deceased civilian and the injured police constable, were transported to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital located in Serai Naurang town. This facility serves as the primary medical center for the immediate area where the incident occurred. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979866/civilian-killed-cop-injured-as-armed-men-open-fire-on-police-in-kps-lakki-marwat, 08 Mar 2026]
#12126
On what date did the first non-Iranian tanker since the start of the 2026 conflict transit the Strait of Hormuz?
(a) March 12, 2026
(b) March 16, 2026
(c) March 20, 2026
(d) March 24, 2026
Explanation: A Pakistani oil tanker successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on March 16, 2026, marking the first such voyage by a non-Iranian vessel since the onset of the conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986336/dpm-dar-says-iran-has-allowed-20-more-ships-under-pakistan-flag-to-cross-strait-of-hormuz, 28 Mar 2026]
#12127
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a western disturbance is expected to approach which region first on March 24, 2026?
(a) Southwestern Balochistan
(b) Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(c) Upper Gilgit-Baltistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD press release explicitly states that the western disturbance is likely to approach the southwestern parts of Balochistan on the evening or night of March 24, 2026. Other regions are forecasted to be affected in subsequent days. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984621/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-across-country-from-march-24-30, 23 Mar 2026]
#12128
According to the statement made on July 22, 2026, which entity does the New York City Mayor identify as having the legal authority to execute an ICC warrant?
(a) The United States federal government
(b) The New York State Supreme Court
(c) The New York Police Department
(d) The United Nations Security Council
Explanation: The Mayor clarified that municipal authorities lack the power to enforce international warrants, explicitly calling upon the US federal government to intervene. The NYPD and state courts do not possess jurisdiction over international diplomatic arrests. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017473/he-is-a-war-criminal-mamdani-says-ny-cannot-arrest-netanyahu-on-icc-warrant-urges-us-federal-officials-to-step-in, 22 Jul 2026]
#12129
Which area in the twin cities remained closed to the public even after the general lifting of restrictions on April 26, 2026?
(a) The Islamabad International Airport
(b) The Diplomatic Enclave main gate
(c) Areas surrounding Nur Khan Airbase
(d) The Rawalpindi Railway Station
Explanation: Residential and commercial areas around the Nur Khan Airbase remained under closure, causing significant inconvenience to local residents. The other locations were not reported as remaining under restricted access. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995277/traffic-restrictions-around-islamabads-red-zone-serena-hotel-lifted-ishaq-dar, 26 Apr 2026]
#12130
All of the following are potential impacts of the weather system forecasted by the PMD for March 2026 EXCEPT:
(a) Landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GB, and AJK
(b) Widespread flooding in the Indus River delta
(c) Decrease in daytime temperatures in upper parts of the country
(d) Hailstorm at isolated places in Islamabad
Explanation: The PMD warned of landslides, temperature drops, and hailstorms, but it did not issue a warning for widespread flooding in the Indus River delta. Flooding is not a standard consequence of the described westerly wave in this context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980117/pmd-warns-winds-could-carry-pollutants-from-iran-worsen-air-quality-in-western-parts-of-pakistan, 09 Mar 2026]
#12131
Who led the Iranian delegation that visited Islamabad on April 25, 2026?
(a) Reza Amiri Moghadam
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Ishaq Dar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister of Iran who led the delegation to Pakistan. Reza Amiri Moghadam is the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, and Ishaq Dar is the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994958/iranian-delegation-led-by-araghchi-leaves-after-meeting-pm-cdf-munir-trump-cancels-us-envoys-visit, 25 Apr 2026]
#12132
Consider the following statements about the PMD weather forecast for March 2026: 1. The weather system is expected to persist until March 31, 2026. 2. Hailstorms are expected only in the plains of Punjab. 3. Tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. 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 system may persist until March 31. Statement 2 is incorrect because hailstorms are predicted for various regions, including Balochistan, Sindh, and Kashmir, not just Punjab. Statement 3 is correct as the PMD advised travelers to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984621/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-across-country-from-march-24-30, 23 Mar 2026]
#12133
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic events of April 25, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) CDF Asim Munir held a separate meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
(b) The US President confirmed the cancellation of the envoys' visit via Fox News.
(c) The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad with the intention of permanently relocating to Pakistan.
(d) Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was present during the meeting at the Prime Minister's House.
Explanation: The Iranian delegation visited for diplomatic consultations and explicitly planned to return to Tehran or travel to other regional capitals, not to relocate. The other three statements are factually accurate based on the reported events. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994958/iranian-delegation-led-by-araghchi-leaves-after-meeting-pm-cdf-munir-trump-cancels-us-envoys-visit, 25 Apr 2026]
#12134
Which of the following regions was specifically mentioned by the PMD as likely to experience rain and thunderstorms between March 9 and March 12, 2026?
(a) Thar Desert
(b) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(c) Coastal Sindh
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD forecast identified several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such as Dir, Kohistan, and Chitral, as areas expected to receive rain and thunderstorms. Thar and coastal Sindh were not included in this specific weather advisory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980117/pmd-warns-winds-could-carry-pollutants-from-iran-worsen-air-quality-in-western-parts-of-pakistan, 09 Mar 2026]
#12135
At which location in Pakistan did the Iranian Foreign Minister arrive for his diplomatic visit in 2026?
(a) Allama Iqbal International Airport
(b) Jinnah International Airport
(c) Nur Khan Air Base
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Iranian Foreign Minister arrived at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi. The other options are major civilian airports in Pakistan that were not the site of this specific diplomatic arrival. [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]
#12136
Consider the following statements about the weather and environmental situation in March 2026: 1. The PMD warned that winds could carry pollutants from Iran into western Pakistan. 2. The westerly wave is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 3. The PMD advised that daytime temperatures would increase significantly due to the incoming weather system. 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 align with the PMD's official forecast. Statement 3 is incorrect because the PMD predicted a decrease, not an increase, in daytime temperatures. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980117/pmd-warns-winds-could-carry-pollutants-from-iran-worsen-air-quality-in-western-parts-of-pakistan, 09 Mar 2026]
#12137
Which of the following statements regarding the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's response on April 27, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The Ministry claimed that Pakistan's targeting is intelligence-based and precise.
(b) The Ministry alleged that Afghan media reports were amplified by Indian media.
(c) The Ministry stated that the Afghan Taliban regime relies on misinformation to cover up governance failures.
(d) The Ministry confirmed that a strike was carried out on the Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University.
Explanation: The Ministry explicitly denied that any strike was carried out on the university, labeling the claims as 'frivolous and fake'. Therefore, is the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995552/info-ministry-rubbishes-reports-of-pakistan-targeting-varsity-residential-areas-in-afghanistans-kunar, 27 Apr 2026]
#12138
Which of the following is NOT a stated objective or concern of Iran regarding the regional security framework in 2026?
(a) Promoting external interference to stabilize the region
(b) Reducing US military presence in the Middle East
(c) Ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz
(d) Seeking sustainable political solutions to the conflict
Explanation: Iran explicitly advocates for a regional security framework free of outside interference, making the incorrect statement. The other options accurately reflect Iran's stated diplomatic positions during the 2026 crisis. [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]
#12139
Who announced the lifting of traffic restrictions around Islamabad's Red Zone and the Serena Hotel on April 26, 2026?
(a) The Inspector General of Islamabad Police
(b) The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
(c) The Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division
(d) None of these
Explanation: Ishaq Dar, serving as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, officially announced the lifting of the security restrictions. The other officials listed were not the primary spokespersons for this specific policy reversal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995277/traffic-restrictions-around-islamabads-red-zone-serena-hotel-lifted-ishaq-dar, 26 Apr 2026]
#12140
All of the following are cited as areas of concern or policy focus for China in the March 2026 press conference EXCEPT:
(a) Tensions in the South China Sea
(b) Expansion of the BRICS currency
(c) Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine
(d) US-China trade tariffs
Explanation: The press conference specifically addressed trade tariffs, the South China Sea, and the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The expansion of the BRICS currency was not a primary topic mentioned in the briefing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979786/chinese-fm-urges-us-to-manage-differences-in-face-of-trade-woes, 08 Mar 2026]