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.
#17961
All of the following statements regarding the June 10, 2026, helicopter crash are TRUE EXCEPT:
(a) The crash occurred during take-off.
(b) A board of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause.
(c) There were survivors among the personnel on board.
(d) The incident took place near Muzaffarabad.
Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that there were no survivors in the crash, making the false statement. All other options accurately reflect the details provided by the military's media wing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006621/no-survivors-as-pakistan-army-mi-17-helicopter-crashes-near-muzaffarabad-ispr, 10 Jun 2026]
#17962
Which of the following statements regarding the economic performance in FY2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The fiscal deficit narrowed to 0.7pc of GDP during July-March FY26.
(b) The primary surplus strengthened to 3.2pc of GDP.
(c) The GDP growth rate exceeded the government target of 4.2pc.
(d) The industrial sector expanded by 3.51pc.
Explanation: The GDP growth rate of 3.7 percent fell short of the 4.2 percent target, making statement D incorrect. The other three statements accurately reflect the fiscal and sectoral data provided in the survey. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006877/economy-grows-37pc-in-fy26-fastest-in-four-years-but-short-of-target, 11 Jun 2026]
#17963
Which Malaysian leader appreciated Pakistan's role in the ceasefire in the Gulf during a conversation on May 27, 2026?
(a) Mahathir Mohamad
(b) Anwar Ibrahim
(c) Ismail Sabri Yaakob
(d) Muhyiddin Yassin
Explanation: Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim held a telephonic conversation with PM Shehbaz Sharif to appreciate Pakistan's role in the Gulf ceasefire. The other options represent former Malaysian leaders who were not involved in this specific diplomatic exchange. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003497/us-iran-peace-deal-could-benefit-entire-region-pm-tells-pezeshkian-in-eid-call, 27 May 2026]
#17964
On what date is the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 scheduled to be presented in the National Assembly?
(a) June 07, 2026
(b) June 10, 2026
(c) June 15, 2026
(d) June 20, 2026
Explanation: The government and coalition partners officially agreed to recommend that the budget be tabled on June 10, 2026. Other dates provided are distractors related to the surrounding political timeline. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004970/another-meeting-expected-as-pml-n-ppp-continue-budget-discussions-ahead-of-june-10-presentation, 03 Jun 2026]
#17965
Who currently serves as the Finance Minister of Pakistan involved in the 2026-27 budget consultations?
(a) Ishaq Dar
(b) Muhammad Aurangzeb
(c) Bilal Azhar Kayani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb is the incumbent Finance Minister. Ishaq Dar serves as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, while Bilal Azhar Kayani is a Minister of State. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004970/another-meeting-expected-as-pml-n-ppp-continue-budget-discussions-ahead-of-june-10-presentation, 03 Jun 2026]
#17966
Which sector recorded a growth rate of 4.09pc in the fiscal year 2026?
(a) Services sector
(b) Industrial sector
(c) Agriculture sector
(d) Mining and quarrying sector
Explanation: The services sector recorded a growth of 4.09 percent during FY2026. The agriculture and industrial sectors recorded growth rates of 2.89 percent and 3.51 percent, respectively. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006877/economy-grows-37pc-in-fy26-fastest-in-four-years-but-short-of-target, 11 Jun 2026]
#17967
What is the current ex-depot price of high-speed diesel (HSD) as of June 5, 2026?
(a) Rs377.79
(b) Rs380.78
(c) Rs381.78
(d) None of these
Explanation: The government maintained the price of high-speed diesel at Rs380.78 per litre. The other values represent the previous or adjusted price of petrol. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005447/govt-reduces-petrol-price-by-rs4-keeps-diesel-price-unchanged, 05 Jun 2026]
#17968
What was the unemployment rate in the United States as of the May 2026 report?
(a) 4.3 percent
(b) 4.1 percent
(c) 3.8 percent
(d) 4.5 percent
Explanation: The unemployment rate remained firm at 4.3 percent according to the May 2026 data. This stability in the labor market contributed to the market's belief that the Federal Reserve would maintain a hawkish stance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005508/wall-street-ends-sharply-lower-as-chips-slide-jobs-data-fuels-rate-hike-fears, 05 Jun 2026]
#17969
According to the ISPR, what was the primary reason cited for the Mi-17 helicopter crash on June 10, 2026?
(a) Adverse weather conditions
(b) Pilot error
(c) Hostile fire
(d) Technical fault
Explanation: The ISPR statement explicitly identified a technical fault during take-off as the cause of the accident. While weather has been a factor in other historical crashes, it was not the cause cited for this specific incident. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006621/no-survivors-as-pakistan-army-mi-17-helicopter-crashes-near-muzaffarabad-ispr, 10 Jun 2026]
#17970
What is the primary purpose of Standing Order No 02/2026 introduced by the FIA?
(a) To increase visa fees for students
(b) To ban all travel to high-risk countries
(c) To establish an appeal and review mechanism for offloaded passengers
(d) To authorize the use of blue passports for all citizens
Explanation: Standing Order No 02/2026 was introduced to provide a formal appeal and review process for passengers who are offloaded, ensuring that supervisory scrutiny and documented reasons are mandatory. This serves as an accountability mechanism for the agency's enforcement actions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006395/fia-disciplines-over-100-officials-over-human-smuggling-links-since-greece-boat-tragedy, 09 Jun 2026]
#17971
On June 4, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended a ceremony in Islamabad to commemorate which milestone of the United States?
(a) 200th anniversary
(b) 225th anniversary
(c) 275th anniversary
(d) 250th anniversary
Explanation: The event held in Islamabad on June 4, 2026, was specifically organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. This milestone reflects the long-standing diplomatic history between the two nations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005211/pm-shehbaz-hails-islamabads-true-and-special-relationship-with-washington-at-event-marking-us-250th-anniversary, 04 Jun 2026]
#17972
Consider the following statements about the US equity market performance in June 2026: 1. The S&P 500 ended a nine-week winning streak on June 5, 2026. 2. S&P Global has confirmed that it will change eligibility requirements to allow SpaceX to enter the S&P 500 index immediately. 3. Chipmaker Marvell Technology is considered a contender for addition to the S&P 500 benchmark index. 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 S&P 500 ended its nine-week run. Statement 3 is correct as Marvell Technology is a contender for index inclusion. Statement 2 is incorrect because S&P Global explicitly stated it would not change eligibility requirements for its major indices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005508/wall-street-ends-sharply-lower-as-chips-slide-jobs-data-fuels-rate-hike-fears, 05 Jun 2026]
#17973
During his visit to Pakistan on June 9, 2026, the Bahraini National Guard Commander held a meeting at the Naval Headquarters with which official?
(a) Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi
(b) Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi
(c) Admiral Naveed Ashraf
(d) Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan
Explanation: Admiral Naveed Ashraf is the current Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan. The other names listed are former naval chiefs and serve as plausible distractors. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006391/bahrain-commander-meets-cdf-munir-discusses-strengthening-military-collaboration-ispr, 09 Jun 2026]
#17974
Consider the following statements about fuel pricing in Pakistan as of June 5, 2026: 1. The government has implemented four consecutive weekly reductions in petrol prices. 2. The cumulative decline in petrol prices over the four-week period is approximately Rs37 per litre. 3. Monthly sales demand for kerosene is significantly higher than that of petrol and high-speed diesel. 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 based on the reported data. Statement 3 is incorrect because kerosene demand is only 10,000 tonnes, whereas petrol and HSD demand is 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005447/govt-reduces-petrol-price-by-rs4-keeps-diesel-price-unchanged, 05 Jun 2026]
#17975
Who is the current Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as of 2026?
(a) Dr. Usman Anwar
(b) Dr. Moeed Yusuf
(c) Dr. Faisal Sultan
(d) None of these
Explanation: Dr. Usman Anwar is the Director General of the FIA who briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control regarding anti-smuggling measures. The other names are not associated with this specific leadership role in the provided context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006395/fia-disciplines-over-100-officials-over-human-smuggling-links-since-greece-boat-tragedy, 09 Jun 2026]
#17976
Consider the following statements about the security situation in Balochistan as of June 2, 2026: 1. The IBOs were launched following a suicide attack on a shuttle train in Quetta. 2. The military's media wing reported the recovery of weapons and explosives from the neutralized terrorists. 3. The counter-terrorism campaign 'Azm-e-Istehkam' was approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. 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 ISPR report. The operations were a direct response to the Quetta train bombing, weapons were recovered, and the campaign is indeed part of the National Action Plan framework. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004690/security-forces-kill-17-terrorists-in-various-districts-of-balochistan-following-quetta-train-bombing-ispr, 02 Jun 2026]
#17977
Who is the current Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who addressed the media regarding the Gilgit-Baltistan election results on June 8, 2026?
(a) Imran Khan
(b) Barrister Gohar Ali Khan
(c) Mehmood Khan Achakzai
(d) None of these
Explanation: Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is the current Chairman of the PTI and led the party's response to the Gilgit-Baltistan election results. Imran Khan is the founding leader, but Gohar Ali Khan is the official Chairman who addressed the press conference. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006146/action-replay-of-2024-elections-pti-ttap-reject-gb-election-results-level-rigging-allegations, 08 Jun 2026]
#17978
Which of the following statements regarding the security operations reported on June 2, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The operations were conducted in response to a suicide car bomb attack on a shuttle train.
(b) The operations were limited exclusively to the city of Quetta.
(c) The Quetta train attack resulted in 14 fatalities.
(d) Security forces recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the terrorists.
Explanation: The statement that operations were limited to Quetta is incorrect because the ISPR report specified that the IBOs were conducted across multiple districts including Mastung, Nushki, Khuzdar, and Kech. The other statements accurately reflect the details provided in the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004690/security-forces-kill-17-terrorists-in-various-districts-of-balochistan-following-quetta-train-bombing-ispr, 02 Jun 2026]
#17979
In the 2026 Supreme Court judgment, which Justice authored the 14-page ruling on acid violence?
(a) Justice Salahuddin Panhwar
(b) Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar
(c) Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim
(d) None of these
Explanation: Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar authored the strongly worded judgment that classified acid attacks as more heinous than homicide. The other two judges mentioned were part of the three-judge bench but did not author the specific text. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006139/acid-attack-more-heinous-than-homicide-tool-of-patriarchal-violence-sc, 08 Jun 2026]
#17980
General Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who visited Pakistan on June 9, 2026, holds which of the following positions?
(a) Commander of the Bahrain National Guard
(b) Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force
(c) Minister of Interior of Bahrain
(d) None of these
Explanation: General Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa is the Commander of the Bahrain National Guard. The other options represent different military or government roles within the Kingdom of Bahrain. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2006391/bahrain-commander-meets-cdf-munir-discusses-strengthening-military-collaboration-ispr, 09 Jun 2026]