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.
#19921
On July 27, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan maintained the policy rate at which of the following levels?
(a) 10.5 percent
(b) 12.5 percent
(c) 11.5 percent
(d) 13.5 percent
Explanation: The State Bank of Pakistan maintained the policy rate at 11.5 percent during the announcement on July 27, 2026. Analysts viewed this as a cautious stance given the prevailing regional geopolitical tensions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018715/psx-opens-week-in-the-green-gains-more-than-7000-points-to-close-above-178000-mark, 27 Jul 2026]
#19922
On March 8, 2026, Israeli forces conducted a rare airborne operation in which region of Lebanon?
(a) Bekaa Valley
(b) Tyre District
(c) Sidon Governorate
(d) None of these
Explanation: Israeli helicopters dropped troops near the town of Nabi Chit, which is located in the eastern Bekaa Valley. This operation was specifically aimed at searching for the remains of a missing Israeli airforce navigator. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#19923
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad in March 2026: 1. The district administration had issued a formal No-Objection Certificate (NoC) for the Aurat March rally. 2. Relatives of the detained activists were also taken into custody when they arrived at the police station. 3. The activists claimed that the right to protest is a fundamental right that supersedes the imposition of Section 144. 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 district administration did not issue an NoC, which was one of the reasons cited for the arrests. Statements 2 and 3 are accurate reflections of the claims made by the activists and the HRCP. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#19924
Consider the following statements about the PSX performance on July 27, 2026: 1. The KSE-100 index gained more than 7,000 points during the session. 2. The market rally was partially attributed to the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. 3. The index reached an intra-day peak of over 178,500 points. 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 market data from July 27, 2026. The index gained 7,241.13 points, investor sentiment improved due to hopes for shipping resumption, and the intra-day peak was 178,588.33 points. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018715/psx-opens-week-in-the-green-gains-more-than-7000-points-to-close-above-178000-mark, 27 Jul 2026]
#19925
Approximately how many barrels of crude oil per day did Kuwait produce in February 2026?
(a) 4.1 million
(b) 3.2 million
(c) 2.6 million
(d) 1.8 million
Explanation: Kuwait's production level in February 2026 was reported at approximately 2.6 million barrels per day. This figure serves as the baseline before the precautionary cuts were implemented. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979510/kuwaits-national-oil-company-cuts-production-as-precaution-amid-iran-tensions, 07 Mar 2026]
#19926
Consider the following statements about the austerity measures announced in March 2026: 1. The federal cabinet members will forgo their salaries for two months. 2. Parliamentarians will face a 25 percent cut in their salaries for two months. 3. All higher educational institutions are required to host seminars on government premises instead of hotels. 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 reflect the salary-related austerity measures for the cabinet and parliamentarians. Statement 3 is incorrect because the requirement to host seminars on government premises applies to government departments, not specifically to higher educational institutions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980219/higher-education-goes-online-schools-shut-for-2-weeks-4-day-work-week-announced-as-austerity-measures, 09 Mar 2026]
#19927
According to the SBP statement released on March 9, 2026, what was the inflation rate recorded in February 2026?
(a) 5.8 percent
(b) 7.0 percent
(c) 8.2 percent
(d) None of these
Explanation: The SBP reported that inflation rose to 5.8 percent in January and 7 percent in February 2026. Option D is incorrect because 7 percent is explicitly mentioned as the February figure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980133/sbp-maintains-policy-rate-at-105pc, 09 Mar 2026]
#19928
The Israeli military operation in the Bekaa Valley on March 8, 2026, was officially stated to be a search for the remains of which individual?
(a) Jonathan Pollard
(b) Eli Cohen
(c) Gilad Shalit
(d) Ron Arad
Explanation: The Israeli military stated the operation was intended to recover the remains of Ron Arad, an airforce navigator who has been missing in Lebanon since 1986. The other individuals listed are historical figures not involved in this specific search operation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979644/israel-pounds-beirut-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price, 08 Mar 2026]
#19929
Which of the following statements regarding the regional aviation situation on March 8, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Saudia initiated a partial resumption of flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with Dubai.
(b) Oman Air suspended flights to destinations including Amman, Doha, and Baghdad.
(c) Qatar Airways resumed all scheduled commercial flights to and from Doha.
(d) Bahrain International Airport confirmed that its airspace remained temporarily closed.
Explanation: Statement D is incorrect because Qatar Airways specifically excluded scheduled commercial flights from its partial resumption of air navigation. The other three statements accurately reflect the operational status of those respective airlines and airports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979639/mideast-airlines-begin-cautious-flight-resumption-amid-regional-tensions, 08 Mar 2026]
#19930
Consider the following statements about the PMD monsoon forecast for 2026: 1. A westerly wave is expected to strengthen from August 1, affecting upper and central parts of the country. 2. Rainfall in Sindh is expected to occur primarily between July 31 and August 2. 3. The PMD advisory warns of landslides in the coastal districts of Sindh. 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 factually correct based on the PMD advisory. Statement 3 is incorrect because the PMD warns of landslides in mountainous regions like KP, GB, and AJK, not in the coastal districts of Sindh. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018977/pmd-forecasts-fresh-spell-of-monsoon-rains-across-country-from-july-29-to-august-5, 28 Jul 2026]
#19931
By what percentage did Pakistan's trade deficit with the Middle East narrow in fiscal year 2026?
(a) 4.48 percent
(b) 7.37 percent
(c) 2.00 percent
(d) 4.00 percent
Explanation: The trade deficit with the Middle East narrowed by 4.48 percent to $13.32 billion in FY26. The 7.37 percent figure refers to the widening of the deficit observed in the previous fiscal year. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018925/pakistans-exports-to-middle-east-dip-in-fy26, 28 Jul 2026]
#19932
Who represented the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) during the PHC hearing on 2026-07-28?
(a) Saifullah Mohib Kakakhel
(b) Shahid Imran Gigiyani
(c) Waqar Ahmed
(d) Inamullah Khan
Explanation: Shahid Imran Gigiyani, the assistant director legal at NADRA, represented the authority. Saifullah Mohib Kakakhel was the counsel for the petitioner, while the other two names are the presiding judges. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018808/phc-stops-deportation-of-man-named-quaid-i-azam-directs-him-to-appear-before-nadra-board, 28 Jul 2026]
#19933
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026-07-28 PHC case is INCORRECT?
(a) The court ordered the immediate deportation of the petitioner.
(b) The petitioner's national identity card had been blocked by NADRA.
(c) The petitioner's counsel argued that his client was a tax-paying Pakistani citizen.
(d) NADRA officials claimed the petitioner's identity card was considered suspicious.
Explanation: The court actually restrained the authorities from deporting the petitioner, making the statement that it ordered his deportation false. The other three statements are factually accurate based on the court proceedings. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018808/phc-stops-deportation-of-man-named-quaid-i-azam-directs-him-to-appear-before-nadra-board, 28 Jul 2026]
#19934
Which airline resumed a limited commercial flight schedule from March 6, 2026, following safety assessments?
(a) Oman Air
(b) SalamAir
(c) Gulf Air
(d) Etihad Airways
Explanation: Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, officially announced the resumption of limited commercial operations on March 6, 2026. Other carriers like Oman Air and SalamAir have instead focused on extending flight cancellations during this period. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979639/mideast-airlines-begin-cautious-flight-resumption-amid-regional-tensions, 08 Mar 2026]
#19935
Consider the following statements about the fuel price situation in 2026: 1. The government reduced petrol prices for two consecutive weeks in May 2026. 2. The global fuel crunch was exacerbated by the conflict involving Iran. 3. The Petroleum Minister announced an increase in fuel prices on April 2, 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: All three statements are factually accurate based on the provided information regarding the 2026 fuel price trends and the geopolitical context of the energy crisis. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002321/govt-reduces-petrol-by-rs6-per-litre-high-speed-diesel-by-rs68, 22 May 2026]
#19936
Consider the following statements about the PIK study published on 2026-03-08: 1. The study reports a statistical certainty of over 98 percent regarding the acceleration of global warming since 2015. 2. The warming rate from 1970 to 2015 was approximately 0.35°C per decade. 3. The study aims to reduce 'noise' to make the underlying long-term warming signal more visible. 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 study cites 98 percent certainty. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 0.35°C rate applies to the post-2015 period, while the 1970-2015 period averaged just under 0.2°C. Statement 3 is correct as the methodology involved filtering natural influences to clarify the warming signal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979692/global-warming-has-seen-significant-acceleration-since-2015-study-finds, 08 Mar 2026]
#19937
Which organization announced a precautionary reduction in crude oil production on March 7, 2026?
(a) Saudi Aramco
(b) Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
(c) QatarEnergy
(d) None of these
Explanation: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) officially announced the production cut as a risk management strategy amid regional tensions. Saudi Aramco and QatarEnergy are distinct national entities not involved in this specific announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979510/kuwaits-national-oil-company-cuts-production-as-precaution-amid-iran-tensions, 07 Mar 2026]
#19938
On March 25, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with which Saudi leader to discuss regional de-escalation?
(a) King Salman bin Abdulaziz
(b) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
(c) Prince Faisal bin Farhan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the conversation took place with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the ongoing regional crisis. While King Salman is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the direct diplomatic coordination regarding the current hostilities was conducted with the Crown Prince. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985161/pm-shehbaz-hails-saudi-arabias-restraint-stresses-urgent-need-for-de-escalation-of-ongoing-iran-war, 25 Mar 2026]
#19939
Who is the current Chief Minister of Sindh as mentioned in the context of the 2026 security arrangements?
(a) Syed Murad Ali Shah
(b) Qaim Ali Shah
(c) Arbab Ghulam Rahim
(d) None of these
Explanation: Syed Murad Ali Shah is the Chief Minister of Sindh who sought cooperation from scholars for security arrangements. The other names are former officeholders. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980177/public-private-schools-in-sindh-to-remain-closed-on-march-11-on-account-of-youm-i-ali, 09 Mar 2026]
#19940
Which US official serves as the Secretary of Defense during the 2026 Iran conflict?
(a) Pete Hegseth
(b) Lloyd Austin
(c) James Mattis
(d) Mark Esper
Explanation: Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of Defense who participated in the classified congressional briefing. The other options are former Secretaries of Defense. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980866/us-lawmakers-warn-of-trumps-incoherent-iran-war-strategy-after-classified-briefing, 11 Mar 2026]