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.
#19141
Which organization reported receiving a distress call from a tanker struck by a projectile in the Red Sea on July 23, 2026?
(a) General Transport Authority (GTA)
(b) United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)
(c) Saudi Arabian Coast Guard
(d) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Explanation: The UKMTO agency confirmed receiving a report from a tanker master regarding a projectile strike that caused an onboard fire, matching the details of the attack on the Encelia. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017740/houthis-attack-saudi-tankers-in-red-sea-as-us-strikes-iran-for-12th-consecutive-day, 23 Jul 2026]
#19142
Following the price adjustment on July 22, 2026, what is the new price of high-speed diesel (HSD) per litre?
(a) Rs327.12
(b) Rs375.04
(c) Rs458.41
(d) Rs520.35
Explanation: The government notification issued on July 22, 2026, set the new price of high-speed diesel at Rs375.04 per litre. Rs327.12 is the corresponding price for petrol, while the other figures represent historical peak prices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017573/govt-increases-petrol-price-by-rs639-diesel-by-rs783-per-litre, 22 Jul 2026]
#19143
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic engagements of Pakistan on July 23, 2026: 1. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. 2. The meetings were conducted on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum. 3. Pakistan and Russia agreed to reduce their engagement at multilateral forums. 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 Dar met with Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman in Manila during the ARF. Statement 3 is incorrect because the countries actually agreed to enhance, not reduce, coordination at multilateral forums. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431322/pakistan-russia-vow-stronger-cooperation, 23 Jul 2026]
#19144
Consider the following statements about the IMF mission to Pakistan in 2026: 1. The mission successfully reached a staff-level agreement on March 11, 2026. 2. Discussions were influenced by the impact of regional conflict on Pakistan's balance of payments. 3. The mission reviewed both the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. 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 mission failed to reach a staff-level agreement by the conclusion date. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as they accurately reflect the scope of the review and the external factors influencing the economic outlook. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981220/imf-mission-fails-to-reach-staff-level-agreement-with-pakistan-talks-to-continue, 12 Mar 2026]
#19145
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, which led the 2026 protests in New Delhi, initially emerged as a response to remarks made by which official?
(a) Chief Justice Surya Kant
(b) The Minister of Education
(c) The Prime Minister of India
(d) The Home Secretary
Explanation: The CJP movement began in May 2026 as a satirical reaction to reports that Chief Justice Surya Kant had compared young people to 'cockroaches' and 'parasites' during a court hearing. The movement subsequently broadened its scope to include issues of unemployment and governance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017750/modi-vows-punishment-for-exam-fraud-in-first-comments-on-indian-student-protests, 23 Jul 2026]
#19146
Which of the following is NOT a stated objective of the framework deal agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel in 2026?
(a) The disarmament of Hezbollah
(b) The progressive withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon
(c) The immediate annexation of the buffer zone by Israel
(d) The deployment of Lebanese troops in the south
Explanation: The framework deal focuses on the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the deployment of the Lebanese army, not the annexation of territory. Annexation is not a provision of the agreement, making it the correct choice for the negative stem. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017639/lebanon-israel-to-hold-next-round-of-talks-in-italy-on-aug-4, 23 Jul 2026]
#19147
Which Pakistani cricketer was signed by the Sunrisers Leeds franchise for the 2026 edition of The Hundred?
(a) Abrar Ahmed
(b) Haris Rauf
(c) Shaheen Shah Afridi
(d) Usman Tariq
Explanation: Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 during the 2026 auction. While Usman Tariq was also signed by a franchise, he was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix, not Sunrisers Leeds. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981366/ipl-linked-sunrisers-leeds-sign-abrar-ahmed-for-the-hundred, 12 Mar 2026]
#19148
Which of the following statements regarding the March 12, 2026, aircraft crash is INCORRECT?
(a) The crash resulted in the deaths of six US service members.
(b) The incident involved a second KC-135 aircraft that landed safely.
(c) The aircraft involved was a Boeing-manufactured tanker.
(d) The crash was confirmed to be the result of hostile fire.
Explanation: The statement that the crash was caused by hostile fire is incorrect. US Central Command explicitly stated that the incident was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981530/us-refuelling-aircraft-crashes-in-western-iraq-us-military, 12 Mar 2026]
#19149
In the context of the 2026 political discourse, which party did the PPP leadership claim to have supported to ensure the continuity of the democratic system?
(a) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(b) Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(c) Muttahida Qaumi Movement
(d) Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam
Explanation: The PPP leadership stated that their support for the PML-N government was instrumental in maintaining the parliamentary system. The other parties listed are major political entities but were not the beneficiaries of this specific support arrangement. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431326/ajk-polls-ppp-leader-says-optimistic-about-electoral-prospects, 23 Jul 2026]
#19150
Who represented Pakistan in the meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister on July 23, 2026?
(a) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(b) Shah Mehmood Qureshi
(c) Mohammad Ishaq Dar
(d) Jalil Abbas Jilani
Explanation: Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, serving as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, represented Pakistan in the discussions with Sergey Lavrov. The other individuals listed are former foreign ministers of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431322/pakistan-russia-vow-stronger-cooperation, 23 Jul 2026]
#19151
Consider the following statements about the environmental situation in Europe as of July 2026: 1. Europe is identified as the world's fastest-warming continent. 2. The Western Balkans have experienced a shift in danger from heatwaves to hailstorms. 3. The average high temperature in Western Europe was recorded as being three degrees above the 1961-1990 normal for July 22. 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 information. Europe is confirmed as the fastest-warming continent, the Western Balkans faced a transition to hailstorms, and the temperature anomaly for July 22 was indeed three degrees above the historical baseline. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017665/spain-france-struggle-with-wildfires-as-heat-grips-europes-south, 23 Jul 2026]
#19152
The meeting between Pakistan and Russia on July 23, 2026, took place ahead of which specific event?
(a) 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting
(b) Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit
(c) United Nations General Assembly Session
(d) None of these
Explanation: The bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers occurred in the context of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting. This forum provides a platform for regional security and diplomatic dialogue. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431322/pakistan-russia-vow-stronger-cooperation, 23 Jul 2026]
#19153
What is the maximum temperature range forecast for the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys during the peak of the July 2026 heatwave?
(a) 42-44 degrees Celsius
(b) 39-42 degrees Celsius
(c) 35-37 degrees Celsius
(d) 45-47 degrees Celsius
Explanation: Meteorological forecasts for the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys indicated potential highs of 42-44 degrees Celsius. The 39-42 range was forecast for broader swathes of the country, making 42-44 the specific peak for these valleys. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017665/spain-france-struggle-with-wildfires-as-heat-grips-europes-south, 23 Jul 2026]
#19154
Approximately how many candidates were forced to retake a medical entrance test due to a question paper leak in 2026?
(a) One million
(b) Three million
(c) Two million
(d) Four million
Explanation: The leak of a medical entrance question paper necessitated a re-examination for more than two million candidates. This incident was a primary driver of the public anger that fueled the student-led protests. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017750/modi-vows-punishment-for-exam-fraud-in-first-comments-on-indian-student-protests, 23 Jul 2026]
#19155
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 Bulgaria-US refueling agreement is INCORRECT?
(a) The aircraft are intended for logistical and in-flight refueling missions.
(b) The agreement was approved by the Bulgarian parliament with 136 votes in favor.
(c) The refueling missions are permitted to take place within Bulgarian airspace.
(d) The deployment is scheduled to conclude on October 1, 2026.
Explanation: The statement that missions are permitted within Bulgarian airspace is incorrect; Bulgarian officials explicitly stated that the aircraft will be refueled outside of Bulgarian airspace to maintain the country's non-combatant status. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017669/bulgaria-allows-us-to-station-refuelling-planes, 23 Jul 2026]
#19156
Which of the following is NOT a stated focus area of the National Stabilization Plan 2026–2035?
(a) Vocational training
(b) Healthcare services
(c) Youth development
(d) Space exploration
Explanation: The National Stabilization Plan focuses on human-centric development sectors including healthcare, education, youth development, and vocational training. Space exploration is not part of this demographic welfare framework. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431434/pm-shehbaz-told-pakistan-aims-to-halve-population-growth-rate-by-2035, 23 Jul 2026]
#19157
Consider the following statements about the fuel pricing situation in Pakistan as of July 2026: 1. Petrol prices are primarily influenced by the needs of private transport and small vehicles. 2. The government previously utilized a weekly revision cycle for fuel prices before moving to daily adjustments. 3. Monthly sales of kerosene are significantly higher than those 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: Statement 1 and 2 are correct as they reflect the usage patterns and the shift in policy. Statement 3 is incorrect because kerosene demand is only 10,000 tonnes monthly, whereas petrol and diesel sales reach 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017573/govt-increases-petrol-price-by-rs639-diesel-by-rs783-per-litre, 22 Jul 2026]
#19158
Consider the following statements about the 2026 student protests in India: 1. The protests were triggered by a series of exam irregularities including paper leaks. 2. The movement has demanded the resignation of the education minister. 3. The government successfully prevented any injuries during the protests in New Delhi. 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 accurate as the protests were driven by exam fraud and calls for ministerial resignation. Statement 3 is incorrect because police actions, including tear gas and baton charges, resulted in at least 178 injuries. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017750/modi-vows-punishment-for-exam-fraud-in-first-comments-on-indian-student-protests, 23 Jul 2026]
#19159
Who is the CEO of the Russian retail giant Wildberries that was targeted in the July 2026 drone strikes?
(a) Vladimir Kondratyev
(b) Tatiana Kim
(c) Volodymyr Zelensky
(d) None of these
Explanation: Tatiana Kim is the CEO of Wildberries and publicly commented on the evacuation of the logistics centers following the attacks. Vladimir Kondratyev is the governor of the Krasnodar region, not the CEO of the company. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017672/ukraines-drones-hit-stores-of-russian-retail-giant, 23 Jul 2026]
#19160
Who was the Sessions Judge killed in the attack in Mastung on July 23, 2026?
(a) Abdul Hakeem Kakar
(b) Tariq Lashari
(c) Mir Ziaullah Langau
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar was the judicial officer killed in the attack. Tariq Lashari was the Additional Sessions Judge who survived with injuries, and Mir Ziaullah Langau is the Home Minister. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431455/sessions-judge-guard-killed-in-mastung-attack, 23 Jul 2026]