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.
#14141
Dr. Asif Mahmood was elected as the chair of which United States federal body in 2026?
(a) United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
(b) United States Commission on Civil Rights
(c) United States Commission on Human Rights
(d) None of these
Explanation: Dr. Asif Mahmood was elected chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the 2026-27 term. The other options represent different federal commissions that do not focus specifically on the international religious freedom mandate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#14142
What was the intraday high reached by the KSE-100 index on July 21, 2026?
(a) 176,133.56
(b) 177,370.45
(c) 178,370.45
(d) 179,370.45
Explanation: The KSE-100 index reached an intraday high of 178,370.45 points at 10:09am before experiencing profit-taking later in the session. The closing value was 176,133.56 points. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-1200-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#14143
Who presided over the three-judge Supreme Court bench that heard the plea on July 21, 2026?
(a) Justice Mansoor Ali Shah
(b) Justice Qazi Faez Isa
(c) Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar
(d) Justice Yahya Afridi
Explanation: The Supreme Court bench that took up the application for the early hearing of the sentence suspension plea was led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The other listed justices were not the presiding officers for this specific bench. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017251/sc-adjourns-hearing-on-imaan-hadis-plea-against-ihc-decision-on-sentence-suspension, 21 Jul 2026]
#14144
What is the primary concern regarding groundwater management in Pakistan as highlighted in the 2026 report?
(a) Unchecked extraction and pollution
(b) Excessive recharge rates
(c) Lack of available drilling technology
(d) Over-regulation of private wells
Explanation: The report notes that aquifers are being depleted faster than they can naturally recharge, a situation worsened by pollution. This combination threatens the long-term sustainability of groundwater supplies. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018921/water-policy, 28 Jul 2026]
#14145
The theme for World Hepatitis Day observed on July 28, 2026, was:
(a) Hepatitis: Let’s break it down
(b) Hepatitis: Time for action
(c) Hepatitis: Zero tolerance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The theme for the 2026 observance was 'Hepatitis: Let’s break it down', which serves as a call to remove barriers to prevention, testing, and treatment. Option D is incorrect because the theme is explicitly stated in the text. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018920/ending-hepatitis, 28 Jul 2026]
#14146
Who was elected as the vice chair of the USCIRF alongside Dr. Asif Mahmood for the 2026-27 term?
(a) CeCe Heil
(b) Hakeem Jeffries
(c) Kamala Harris
(d) None of these
Explanation: The USCIRF announced the unanimous election of Dr. Asif Mahmood as chair and CeCe Heil as vice chair for the 2026-27 term. The other individuals mentioned are political figures not serving in this specific commission role. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#14147
Who was elected as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan in June 2026?
(a) Amjad Hussain
(b) Bilal Yaseen
(c) Ahad Khan Cheema
(d) None of these
Explanation: Advocate Amjad Hussain was elected unopposed as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan on June 22, 2026. The other names listed are either federal ministers or provincial officials not holding this specific office. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017241/centre-committed-to-working-closely-with-gb-government-pm-tells-cm-amjad-hussain, 21 Jul 2026]
#14148
Where did the Prime Minister of Pakistan meet the President to discuss the US-Iran dialogue on April 14, 2026?
(a) Prime Minister House
(b) Aiwan-i-Sadr
(c) Foreign Office
(d) None of these
Explanation: The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari took place at the Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad. Aiwan-i-Sadr is the official residence and workplace of the President of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991689/pm-takes-president-into-confidence-on-us-iran-talks-briefs-him-on-upcoming-visits-to-saudi-arabia-turkiye, 14 Apr 2026]
#14149
Which of the following is NOT a stated objective of the US military strikes against Iran as of July 21, 2026?
(a) Degrading Iranian maritime capabilities
(b) Neutralizing missile and drone launch sites
(c) Protecting commercial shipping in the Gulf
(d) Occupying Iranian coastal territory
Explanation: The US military stated its strikes were designed to degrade Iranian military capabilities, such as command centers and launch sites, to protect commercial shipping. There is no mention of an objective to occupy Iranian territory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017211/iran-targets-american-military-assets-in-gulf-warns-of-more-attacks-as-us-strikes-iran-for-10th-consecutive-day, 21 Jul 2026]
#14150
Consider the following statements about the US-Canada trade situation as of July 2026: 1. The US President invoked Section 338 to retaliate against what the administration termed discriminatory trade practices. 2. The tariffs apply to a diverse range of goods including wine, cement, and ice hockey gear. 3. The US Trade Representative is currently holding bilateral talks regarding the USMCA with Canadian officials in Mexico City. 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. Statement 3 is incorrect because the US Trade Representative is holding bilateral talks with Mexico, having pointedly left Canada out of those specific negotiations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017209/us-imposes-new-50pc-tariffs-on-20bn-worth-of-canadian-products, 21 Jul 2026]
#14151
Which Indian minister was forced to resign following the weeks-long student agitation in 2026?
(a) Devendra Fadnavis
(b) Dharmendra Pradhan
(c) M.J. Akbar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as a direct result of the student-led protests against the education system. While M.J. Akbar also resigned in the past, he is not the minister associated with the 2026 student agitation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018933/well-begun-is-half-done, 28 Jul 2026]
#14152
Consider the following statements regarding the energy sector meeting held on May 2, 2026: 1. The Prime Minister directed authorities to prioritize relief for both industrial and domestic consumers. 2. The government is exploring the use of advanced technology to enhance digital facilities for bill payments. 3. The meeting concluded with a decision to immediately abolish all fixed charges on electricity bills. 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 Prime Minister's directives on consumer relief and digital modernization. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government did not announce the abolition of fixed charges, despite public suggestions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1996962/pm-shehbaz-orders-formulation-of-strategy-to-stabilise-electricity-tariffs, 02 May 2026]
#14153
Which of the following is NOT a primary focus area for the bilateral talks between Pakistan and Canada during the July 2026 visit?
(a) Trade and investment
(b) Education
(c) Military alliance formation
(d) People-to-people exchanges
Explanation: The bilateral talks focus on trade, investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Military alliance formation is not part of the stated agenda for this diplomatic visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016734/canadian-foreign-minister-anita-anand-to-visit-pakistan-on-monday, 19 Jul 2026]
#14154
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference: 1. The conference was a two-day event held in Islamabad. 2. Over 200 Chinese companies participated in the event. 3. The conference included discussions on establishing local vaccine manufacturing facilities. 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 it was a two-day event in Islamabad. Statement 2 is incorrect because 146 Chinese companies participated, not over 200 (over 200 Pakistani companies participated). Statement 3 is correct as local vaccine production was a priority discussed at the conference. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016621/pakistan-china-pharma-conference-ends-with-850m-agreements, 19 Jul 2026]
#14155
Which specific Iranian military branch was identified by the United States as the primary target for retaliatory strikes on July 19, 2026?
(a) Basij Resistance Force
(b) Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
(c) Artesh (Regular Army of Iran)
(d) None of these
Explanation: The United States Central Command explicitly stated that the strikes were designed to punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for their role in attacks against American service members. The Basij and Artesh are distinct branches of the Iranian armed forces not cited as the primary target in this specific operation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016645/us-renews-strikes-on-iran-to-punish-irgc-for-troops-killing-tehran-targets-american-bases-in-kuwait, 19 Jul 2026]
#14156
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. The US-Iran talks in Islamabad concluded with a formal peace agreement signed by both delegations. 2. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the coordination between the civilian government and state institutions during the mediation process. 3. Negotiating teams from the US and Iran may return to Islamabad for further rounds of talks. 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 talks concluded without a formal agreement, although they did not result in a breakdown. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate based on the official reports regarding the mediation success and the potential for future rounds. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991689/pm-takes-president-into-confidence-on-us-iran-talks-briefs-him-on-upcoming-visits-to-saudi-arabia-turkiye, 14 Apr 2026]
#14157
Which of the following statements regarding the protest incident on March 8, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force participated in the investigation.
(b) Police arrested six people in connection with the unrest.
(c) The suspect named Amir Balat was detained by police.
(d) The devices were confirmed by the bomb squad to contain high-grade military explosives.
Explanation: The bomb squad stated that it was not yet clear if the devices contained energetic explosive material, only that they appeared to be jars with hardware and fuses. Therefore, the claim that they were confirmed to contain high-grade military explosives is false. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979791/new-york-police-probe-man-for-throwing-ignited-devices-near-anti-muslim-protest-in-front-of-mayor-mamdanis-house, 08 Mar 2026]
#14158
Consider the following statements about Dr. Asif Mahmood: 1. He has served as a member of the Medical Board of California. 2. He was elected chair of the USCIRF for the 2026-27 term. 3. He has lived in California since 1999. 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 correct. Dr. Mahmood is a two-term member of the Medical Board of California, was elected chair of the USCIRF in 2026, and has resided in California since 1999. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#14159
The joint statement condemning Israel's appointment of an envoy to Somaliland was issued on which date in 2026?
(a) April 15, 2026
(b) April 18, 2026
(c) April 20, 2026
(d) April 22, 2026
Explanation: The joint statement from the twelve countries, including Pakistan, was issued on April 18, 2026, following the announcement of the appointment earlier that week. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993013/12-countries-including-pakistan-condemn-israels-move-to-appoint-envoy-to-somaliland, 18 Apr 2026]
#14160
Which Yemeni group announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia on July 20, 2026?
(a) The Houthi rebels
(b) The Southern Transitional Council
(c) Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
(d) The Republican Guard
Explanation: The Houthi rebels declared an immediate maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, framing it as a retaliatory measure. This action opened a new front in the regional conflict, specifically targeting Saudi Red Sea ports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017211/iran-targets-american-military-assets-in-gulf-warns-of-more-attacks-as-us-strikes-iran-for-10th-consecutive-day, 21 Jul 2026]