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.
#17501
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, facilitated by Pakistan in 2026, involved which two nations?
(a) Iran and the United States
(b) Pakistan and India
(c) China and Russia
(d) Afghanistan and Tajikistan
Explanation: Pakistan hosted talks that led to the signing of the Islamabad MoU between Iran and the United States in June 2026. This diplomatic breakthrough marked the first high-level direct contact between the two nations in 47 years. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431712/sco-cfms-meeting-held-dar-highlights-involvement-of-afghan-nationals-in-terrorist-attacks, 24 Jul 2026]
#17502
Which organization hosted the roundtable discussion titled 'Pakistan-Iran Relations and Strategic Stability in West Asia' in 2026?
(a) Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad
(b) National Defence University
(c) Pakistan Institute of International Affairs
(d) Centre for International Strategic Studies
Explanation: The Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) organized the event. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) is a separate entity whose director general participated in the discussion. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431693/regional-challenges-irans-envoy-for-greater-bilateral-cooperation, 24 Jul 2026]
#17503
Who is the current Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan as of 2026?
(a) Reza Amiri Moghadam
(b) Ali Sarwar Naqvi
(c) Moinul Haque
(d) None of these
Explanation: Reza Amiri Moghadam serves as the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan. The other names listed are prominent Pakistani diplomats associated with strategic research institutes. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431693/regional-challenges-irans-envoy-for-greater-bilateral-cooperation, 24 Jul 2026]
#17504
Consider the following statements about the Sky47 project: 1. It serves as a landmark achievement for Pakistan's technological capabilities. 2. The project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on July 24, 2026. 3. The government intends to limit AI infrastructure development exclusively to Islamabad. 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. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government explicitly announced plans to expand similar infrastructure to other major cities like Karachi and Lahore. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431665/pm-shehbaz-inaugurates-pakistans-largest-data-centre-ai-cloud-sky47-in-islamabad, 24 Jul 2026]
#17505
Who represented Pakistan at the 25th SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in 2026?
(a) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(b) Jalil Abbas Jilani
(c) Shah Mahmood Qureshi
(d) Mohammad Ishaq Dar
Explanation: Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, serving as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, led the Pakistani delegation and addressed the meeting. The other individuals listed are former foreign ministers of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431712/sco-cfms-meeting-held-dar-highlights-involvement-of-afghan-nationals-in-terrorist-attacks, 24 Jul 2026]
#17506
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]
#17507
Consider the following statements about the migrant smuggling incident: 1. The smuggling operation spanned from April 2023 through May 2026. 2. The migrants were discovered in a shipping container at a rail yard in San Antonio. 3. The outside temperatures during the transit exceeded 31 degrees Celsius. 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 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the migrants were discovered in Laredo, not San Antonio, which was the intended destination of the train. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018220/11-indicted-in-us-over-migrants-deaths-on-train, 24 Jul 2026]
#17508
Which of the following is NOT a stated concern regarding the intensification of regional tensions mentioned in the 2026 roundtable?
(a) Maritime security
(b) Global energy markets
(c) Internal border demarcation
(d) Regional peace and stability
Explanation: The roundtable discussion focused on strategic stability, maritime security, and energy markets. Internal border demarcation was not listed as a primary concern in the context of this specific diplomatic event. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431693/regional-challenges-irans-envoy-for-greater-bilateral-cooperation, 24 Jul 2026]
#17509
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and China in 2026: 1. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. 2. China expressed support for Pakistan's upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State. 3. The meeting was held in Islamabad to discuss bilateral trade tariffs. 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 accurate based on the diplomatic event. Statement 3 is incorrect because the meeting was held in the Kyrgyz Republic, not Islamabad, and focused on regional cooperation rather than trade tariffs. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431689/dar-chinese-fm-discuss-bilateral-ties, 24 Jul 2026]
#17510
Who is the current Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting as of July 2026?
(a) Attaullah Tarar
(b) Ahsan Iqbal
(c) Khawaja Asif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Attaullah Tarar serves as the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and was specifically lauded by the Forum of Information Group Secretaries for his role in resolving career progression issues. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431714/figs-lauds-pm-tarar-for-resolving-career-progression-issues, 24 Jul 2026]
#17511
What was the recorded inflation rate in Pakistan for the month of February 2026?
(a) 5.80 percent
(b) 6.98 percent
(c) 7.15 percent
(d) 8.20 percent
Explanation: Inflation rose to 6.98 percent year-on-year in February 2026, up from 5.8 percent in January. This represents the highest level recorded since October 2024. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979645/stocks-nosedive-63pc-in-jittery-week-on-geopolitical-concerns, 08 Mar 2026]
#17512
On July 25, 2026, which judicial body ruled against the German interior ministry regarding the reversal of Afghan resettlement visas?
(a) Federal Court of Justice
(b) Federal Constitutional Court
(c) Federal Administrative Court
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) issued the ruling on July 25, 2026, declaring the ministry's actions arbitrary. The Federal Court of Justice is a separate entity that handles civil and criminal appeals, not constitutional disputes of this nature. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018224/court-rules-against-berlin-in-afghan-resettlement-case, 25 Jul 2026]
#17513
Which of the following statements regarding the market performance in March 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) Foreign corporates were net sellers of equities during the week.
(b) The KSE-100 index experienced a single-session decline of over 16,000 points on Monday.
(c) Cement despatches showed a year-on-year increase in February 2026.
(d) The rupee depreciated significantly against the dollar during the week.
Explanation: The rupee remained largely stable, appreciating marginally by 0.02 percent week-on-week. The other statements accurately reflect the market data provided for the period. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979645/stocks-nosedive-63pc-in-jittery-week-on-geopolitical-concerns, 08 Mar 2026]
#17514
In which country was the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in 2026?
(a) Kazakhstan
(b) Kyrgyz Republic
(c) Tajikistan
(d) Uzbekistan
Explanation: The meeting took place in Cholpon-Ata, which is located in the Kyrgyz Republic. Other Central Asian states are often confused as hosts, but the Kyrgyz Republic was the specific venue for this event. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431689/dar-chinese-fm-discuss-bilateral-ties, 24 Jul 2026]
#17515
On the sidelines of which international forum did Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 2026-07-24?
(a) UN General Assembly
(b) SCO Council of Foreign Ministers
(c) SAARC Summit
(d) None of these
Explanation: The meeting occurred during the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers session held in Cholpon-Ata. This platform serves as a key venue for regional diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and China. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431689/dar-chinese-fm-discuss-bilateral-ties, 24 Jul 2026]
#17516
What was the closing value of the KSE-100 index at the end of the trading week ending on March 8, 2026?
(a) 145,210 points
(b) 157,496 points
(c) 162,305 points
(d) None of these
Explanation: The KSE-100 index closed at 157,496 points after a weekly decline of 6.3 percent. This decline was primarily attributed to investor panic regarding regional geopolitical instability. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979645/stocks-nosedive-63pc-in-jittery-week-on-geopolitical-concerns, 08 Mar 2026]
#17517
Consider the following statements about the economic indicators in February 2026: 1. Pakistan's trade deficit widened to approximately $3 billion. 2. Urea offtake recorded a significant increase compared to the previous year. 3. Liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan stood at $16.3 billion. 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 2 is incorrect because urea offtake actually fell by 28 percent year-on-year, reaching the lowest monthly level recorded. Statements 1 and 3 are factually accurate based on the reported economic data. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979645/stocks-nosedive-63pc-in-jittery-week-on-geopolitical-concerns, 08 Mar 2026]
#17518
Which of the following measures was initially proposed but subsequently shelved by the government in response to the potential fuel crisis in March 2026?
(a) Rationing of electricity for industrial zones
(b) Complete ban on private vehicle usage
(c) Work from home and distance learning
(d) Immediate closure of all public transport
Explanation: The government considered a national action plan involving work-from-home and distance learning to conserve fuel but decided to keep activities unchanged. The other options were not part of the official proposal mentioned. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979534/govt-hikes-kerosene-price-by-rs130-to-rs31881-per-litre, 07 Mar 2026]
#17519
Which of the following statements regarding the March 2026 fuel price hike is INCORRECT?
(a) The government decided to implement work-from-home measures for a month.
(b) The price of kerosene was increased by over Rs130 per litre.
(c) The notification for the price hike was issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.
(d) Long queues were reported at petrol pumps across several cities.
Explanation: The government explicitly decided to shelve the proposed work-from-home and distance learning measures rather than implement them. The other three statements are factually accurate based on the events of March 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979534/govt-hikes-kerosene-price-by-rs130-to-rs31881-per-litre, 07 Mar 2026]
#17520
Consider the following statements about the fuel price adjustments in March 2026: 1. The price hike for kerosene was announced shortly after increases in petrol and high-speed diesel prices. 2. Kerosene demand in Pakistan is significantly higher than the combined monthly sales of petrol and high-speed diesel. 3. The government maintained that petroleum reserves were sufficient despite the price adjustments. 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 2 is incorrect because kerosene demand (10,000 tonnes) is significantly lower than the demand for petrol and diesel (700,000 to 800,000 tonnes). Statements 1 and 3 are accurate reflections of the government's position and the sequence of events. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979534/govt-hikes-kerosene-price-by-rs130-to-rs31881-per-litre, 07 Mar 2026]