July 2026 Edition
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July 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#20361
Which of the following global credit rating agencies is the Finance Minister expected to interact with during the 2026 visit?
(a) Fitch Ratings
(b) Morningstar
(c) Kroll Bond Rating Agency
(d) None of these
Explanation: Fitch Ratings, along with Moody's and S&P Global, are the major credit rating agencies mentioned for engagement. Morningstar and Kroll are not listed as part of the scheduled high-level interactions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990747/aurangzeb-departs-for-us-to-participate-in-imf-wb-meetings, 11 Apr 2026]
#20362
Consider the following statements about the energy conservation measures announced in April 2026: 1. The federal government decided that markets in provinces other than Sindh should close by 8:00 PM. 2. The Sindh government notification applies to both weekdays and weekends. 3. The austerity measures were triggered by the global fuel crisis resulting from the US-Israel war on Iran. Which of the statements given above 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 government's policy announcements. The federal directive specifically excluded Sindh initially, the Sindh notification covers the entire week, and the geopolitical cause of the fuel crisis is correctly identified. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990483/sindh-implements-austerity-measures-notifies-early-market-closure-among-other-steps, 10 Apr 2026]
#20363
Who led the Iranian delegation that arrived in Islamabad for the 2026 talks?
(a) Abbas Araghchi
(b) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(c) Ali Khamenei
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, led the delegation to Islamabad. Abbas Araghchi was part of the delegation as the Foreign Minister, but he was not the head of the delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#20364
Which of the following is NOT a precondition mentioned by the Iranian side for the commencement of negotiations in 2026?
(a) A ceasefire in Lebanon
(b) The release of Iran's blocked assets
(c) The immediate withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Iranian side specifically cited a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked assets as their preconditions. The withdrawal of US forces was not listed as a specific precondition for these talks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#20365
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the US approach to the 2026 Iran talks as described by President Trump?
(a) Reliance on a detailed, pre-determined backup plan
(b) Cautious optimism regarding the process
(c) Transactional framing of geopolitical interests
(d) Emphasis on the necessity of keeping straits open
Explanation: President Trump explicitly dismissed the need for a backup plan when asked about contingency planning. The other options accurately reflect his stated position on the talks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990730/us-president-trump-projects-cautious-optimism-ahead-of-iran-talks, 11 Apr 2026]
#20366
Which US official was tasked with leading the American delegation to the 2026 Islamabad Talks?
(a) Donald Trump
(b) JD Vance
(c) Antony Blinken
(d) None of these
Explanation: US Vice President JD Vance was the official designated to lead the American delegation to Islamabad. Donald Trump provided the guidelines for the negotiations but did not travel to Pakistan himself. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]
#20367
According to the Lebanese health ministry, approximately how many people were killed in the Israeli bombardment on April 9, 2026?
(a) At least 300
(b) At least 200
(c) At least 100
(d) At least 400
Explanation: The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 300 people were killed during the bombardment on that date. This figure highlights the severity of the military action that drew global condemnation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990283/israel-seeks-peace-talks-with-lebanon-as-soon-as-possible-as-world-condemns-tel-avivs-bombardment-amid-us-iran-truce, 09 Apr 2026]
#20368
Who led the Iranian delegation during the peace talks held in Islamabad on April 11, 2026?
(a) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(b) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(c) Ali Bagheri Kani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, led the Iranian delegation during the Islamabad talks. The other names listed are prominent Iranian officials but were not the heads of this specific delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990743/us-iran-search-for-breakthrough-in-islamabad-as-talks-stretch-into-third-round, 11 Apr 2026]
#20369
Which international forum did Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan invite Ishaq Dar to attend during their conversation on April 12, 2026?
(a) Doha Peace Conference
(b) Istanbul Security Summit
(c) Antalya Diplomacy Forum
(d) Ankara Global Dialogue
Explanation: The Turkish Foreign Minister extended an invitation to the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister for the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. This forum is a prominent platform for discussing international relations and conflict resolution. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991120/dar-briefs-turkish-saudi-egyptian-fms-on-islamabad-talks-reaffirms-support-for-diplomacy-and-dialogue, 12 Apr 2026]
#20370
Which of the following statements regarding the meeting on April 10, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The meeting took place at the Prime Minister House.
(b) The Chief of Army Staff attended the meeting.
(c) The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's economic support.
(d) The Saudi Finance Minister was on a three-day official visit to Pakistan.
Explanation: The Saudi Finance Minister was on a one-day visit, not a three-day visit. The other statements accurately reflect the details of the event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990567/in-meeting-with-saudi-finance-minister-pm-emphasises-strong-commitment-to-expanding-cooperation-in-all-spheres, 10 Apr 2026]
#20371
Which of the following statements regarding the US-Iran truce as of April 9, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The truce was intended to last for a duration of two weeks
(b) The US President requested Israel to reduce the intensity of its strikes
(c) Israel maintains that its military operations in Lebanon are covered by the truce
(d) International powers have demanded the truce be extended to include Lebanon
Explanation: Israel and the United States have explicitly insisted that the fighting in Lebanon is not covered by the US-Iran ceasefire. Therefore, the statement that Israel maintains the operations are covered by the truce is false. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990283/israel-seeks-peace-talks-with-lebanon-as-soon-as-possible-as-world-condemns-tel-avivs-bombardment-amid-us-iran-truce, 09 Apr 2026]
#20372
Which official shared the notification for the new fuel prices on X on April 10, 2026?
(a) Shehbaz Sharif
(b) Asim Munir
(c) Ishaq Dar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared the official notification regarding the new fuel prices on the platform X. While the Prime Minister announced the policy, the notification was shared by the Foreign Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990554/govt-reduces-petrol-price-by-rs12-per-litre-hsd-by-rs135, 10 Apr 2026]
#20373
Who is the Israeli National Security Minister responsible for the April 2026 incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound?
(a) Benjamin Netanyahu
(b) Itamar Ben-Gvir
(c) Yoav Gallant
(d) None of these
Explanation: Itamar Ben-Gvir is the National Security Minister who led the incursion into the Al-Aqsa compound in April 2026. Benjamin Netanyahu is the Prime Minister, and Yoav Gallant is a separate cabinet official, making them incorrect choices. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991141/israeli-minister-storms-al-aqsa-mosque-again-amid-restrictions-on-worshippers, 12 Apr 2026]
#20374
What is the name of the military operation launched by Pakistan in response to cross-border firing in 2026?
(a) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(b) Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
(c) Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
(d) None of these
Explanation: Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched in late February 2026 following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban. Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad are previous military operations and are incorrect in this context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982323/overnight-strikes-in-afghanistans-kandahar-target-terrorist-hideouts-and-military-infrastructure-says-state-media, 15 Mar 2026]
#20375
The quadrilateral moot held in Islamabad on March 29, 2026, focused on de-escalation efforts in which region?
(a) South Asia
(b) The Middle East
(c) Central Asia
(d) The Horn of Africa
Explanation: The quadrilateral moot involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye was specifically convened to address the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The discussions aimed to facilitate a ceasefire between the US and Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991120/dar-briefs-turkish-saudi-egyptian-fms-on-islamabad-talks-reaffirms-support-for-diplomacy-and-dialogue, 12 Apr 2026]
#20376
Who visited Islamabad on April 10, 2026, to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding bilateral cooperation?
(a) Mohammed bin Abdullah al Jadaan
(b) Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud
(c) Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohammed bin Abdullah al Jadaan is the Saudi Finance Minister who conducted a one-day visit to Islamabad on the specified date. Faisal bin Farhan is the Foreign Minister, making him a plausible but incorrect distractor. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990567/in-meeting-with-saudi-finance-minister-pm-emphasises-strong-commitment-to-expanding-cooperation-in-all-spheres, 10 Apr 2026]
#20377
What is the permitted operating window for restaurants and food outlets in Sindh under the 2026 austerity notification?
(a) 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
(b) 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(c) 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM
(d) None of these
Explanation: The notification allows restaurants and food outlets to operate for dinner services between 7:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Takeaway and home delivery services are permitted to continue without these specific time restrictions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990483/sindh-implements-austerity-measures-notifies-early-market-closure-among-other-steps, 10 Apr 2026]
#20378
Consider the following statements about the Artemis II mission: 1. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 1, 2026. 2. The Orion capsule experienced a planned radio blackout during re-entry. 3. The mission traveled a total distance of over 1 million kilometers.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually correct: the mission launched on April 1, 2026, from Florida, underwent a radio blackout due to ionized gas during re-entry, and covered a total distance of 1,117,515 kilometers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990741/artemis-ii-astronauts-safely-back-on-earth-after-historic-trip-around-moon, 11 Apr 2026]
#20379
Which of the following statements regarding the government's fuel price policy on April 10, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The government decided to discontinue all targeted subsidy initiatives immediately.
(b) The Prime Minister rejected the recommendation to only partially pass on the relief to the public.
(c) The price of kerosene was reduced by Rs17.33 per litre.
(d) The price of light diesel oil was reduced to Rs369.72 per litre.
Explanation: The government explicitly stated that targeted subsidy initiatives would not be discontinued. Options A, B, and D are factually correct statements regarding the policy announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990554/govt-reduces-petrol-price-by-rs12-per-litre-hsd-by-rs135, 10 Apr 2026]
#20380
The 2026 US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad were held during a two-week pause in hostilities that originally commenced on:
(a) February 28, 2026
(b) January 28, 2026
(c) March 28, 2026
(d) April 10, 2026
Explanation: The conflict between the US and Iran, which prompted the mediation efforts, began on February 28, 2026. The talks in April were facilitated during a temporary pause in this specific conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990461/vance-en-route-iranian-delegation-touches-down-for-islamabad-talks, 10 Apr 2026]