January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as this is the first auction-based selection in the tournament's history. Statement 2 is correct as the tournament begins on July 21, 2026. Statement 3 is incorrect because several franchises, including Sunrisers Leeds, are owned by groups that control IPL teams. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981366/ipl-linked-sunrisers-leeds-sign-abrar-ahmed-for-the-hundred, 12 Mar 2026]

Explanation: The reported fatalities were specifically attributed to building collapses, lightning, and electrocution. While urban flooding occurred, it was not listed as a direct cause of the 17 deaths. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431316/17-people-killed-in-rain-related-incidents-in-punjab, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: The Houthi militia targeted Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This location is a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil supplies, distinct from the Strait of Hormuz. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431430/pakistan-reiterates-unwavering-support-for-saudi-arabias-security-sovereignty, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: The US military confirmed the crash took place in western Iraq. This region is a critical area for US aerial operations in the ongoing conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981530/us-refuelling-aircraft-crashes-in-western-iraq-us-military, 12 Mar 2026]

Explanation: The PDMA alert focused on high readiness, machinery deployment, and public safety advisories regarding travel and infrastructure, but it did not mandate a province-wide evacuation of coastal residents. The other options are accurate descriptions of the PDMA's stated actions. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431451/pdma-sindh-issues-province-wide-alert-as-heavy-monsoon-rains-expected-till-july-25, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as operations began on February 28, 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect because the KC-135 is manufactured by Boeing, not Lockheed Martin. Statement 3 is correct based on reports regarding US casualties in the conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981530/us-refuelling-aircraft-crashes-in-western-iraq-us-military, 12 Mar 2026]

Explanation: Mir Ziaullah Langau is the Home Minister of Balochistan who issued a condemnation of the attack. Shahid Rind is the provincial government spokesperson. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431455/sessions-judge-guard-killed-in-mastung-attack, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad represented Pakistan during the debate on 'Natural Resources Governance' and raised the issue of water weaponization. Ansar Shah is a first secretary who exercised the right of reply regarding terrorism allegations, while Harish Parvathaneni is the Indian Ambassador. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431428/at-un-pakistan-labels-india-sponsor-of-terrorism-rejects-cross-border-infiltration-claims, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct regarding the growth rate target. Statement 3 is correct as the plan explicitly includes increasing women's labour force participation. Statement 2 is incorrect because the plan involves the leadership of both Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431434/pm-shehbaz-told-pakistan-aims-to-halve-population-growth-rate-by-2035, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: The Pakistani envoy stated that the unilateral actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty threaten the livelihoods and well-being of more than 240 million people. This figure highlights the scale of the humanitarian concern raised by the state. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431428/at-un-pakistan-labels-india-sponsor-of-terrorism-rejects-cross-border-infiltration-claims, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed the agreements alongside Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The other individuals listed hold different cabinet or advisory positions within the US government. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017738/trump-says-us-saudi-nuclear-deal-subject-to-riyadh-joining-abraham-accords, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: The debate occurred at the United Nations Security Council during a session focused on 'Natural Resources Governance'. While the World Bank brokered the original treaty, the current diplomatic confrontation took place at the UNSC. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431428/at-un-pakistan-labels-india-sponsor-of-terrorism-rejects-cross-border-infiltration-claims, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as Pakistan rejected the infiltration claims. Statement 3 is correct as Pakistan accused India of placing the treaty in abeyance. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Indian Ambassador explicitly stated that cooperation cannot be expected when cross-border terrorism is deployed. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431428/at-un-pakistan-labels-india-sponsor-of-terrorism-rejects-cross-border-infiltration-claims, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: Based on the internal context of historical records associated with the events reported on July 29, 2026, the chronological order of these developments, when considering their respective occurrences leading up to the report, follows the sequence: the sports achievement (IV), the weather alert (I), the election results announcement (II), and the senate confirmation (III). [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019100/fatima-zahra-becomes-first-pakistan-woman-boxer-to-secure-commonwealth-games-boxing-medal]

Explanation: All three statements are factually correct based on the PDMA alert: it is a province-wide directive, it identifies specific districts like Hyderabad and Badin for heavy rain, and it warns of risks to infrastructure such as solar panels and electricity poles due to lightning and wind. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431451/pdma-sindh-issues-province-wide-alert-as-heavy-monsoon-rains-expected-till-july-25, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: The forum focused on climate resilience, value addition, and the commercialization of research. There was no mention of a mandatory conversion to organic farming, making this the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40411256/comprehensive-plan-to-devise-crop-wise-agricultural-policy, 11 Mar 2026]

Explanation: The ISPR confirmed that the intelligence-based operations were specifically targeted at terrorist hideouts located in the Surab and Mastung districts. Other districts listed are common areas of security concern but were not the sites of this specific operation. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431351/balochistan-ibos-10-terrorists-killed-two-female-suicide-bombers-held, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: The Deputy Prime Minister specifically addressed the Kashmir dispute, the IWT, and the Gaza crisis as key challenges. The expansion of the European Union was not mentioned as a threat to peaceful coexistence in his address. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017794/kashmir-iwt-among-key-global-challenges-threatening-peaceful-coexistence-dar-tells-asean-moot, 23 Jul 2026]

Explanation: Abbas Araghchi, serving as the Iranian Foreign Minister, explicitly ruled out negotiations with the United States during an interview with PBS News. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is the parliamentary speaker who focused on retaliatory threats rather than diplomatic agendas. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980759/iran-vows-to-keep-hormuz-strait-blocked-as-long-as-war-continues, 11 Mar 2026]

Explanation: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led the Pakistani delegation at the ARF meeting in Manila. The other individuals listed did not hold this specific office during the July 2026 event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017794/kashmir-iwt-among-key-global-challenges-threatening-peaceful-coexistence-dar-tells-asean-moot, 23 Jul 2026]