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.
#1661
The Foreign Office of Pakistan issued a formal statement regarding the sentencing of Kashmiri leaders on which date in 2026?
(a) March 20, 2026
(b) March 25, 2026
(c) March 30, 2026
(d) April 05, 2026
Explanation: The Foreign Office issued its condemnation on March 25, 2026, the same day the sentencing news was reported. The other dates are incorrect as they do not align with the event timeline. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985165/fo-condemns-harsh-sentences-awarded-to-kashmiri-leader-asiya-andrabi-associates-by-delhi-court, 25 Mar 2026]
#1662
Arrange the following administrative and political developments of August 10, 2026, in the correct chronological order based on the nature of the events as provided in the reports: (I) Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim undergoes elective hernia surgery. (II) The Tarbela Dam achieves its maximum water storage capacity. (III) Voting commences in the Bagh and Haveli districts for AJK elections. (IV) Ten additional individuals are added to the Fourth Schedule in AJK.
(a) I, II, III, IV
(b) IV, III, II, I
(c) II, IV, III, I
(d) III, IV, II, I
Explanation: The order reflects the standard reporting sequence provided in the source digest for the date August 10, 2026, starting with the executive health update, followed by the water security achievement, the progress of AJK electoral phases, and the AJK internal security measures. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2021885/malaysia-pm-anwar-ibrahim-undergoes-elective-surgery-to-treat-hernia]
#1663
What is the primary revenue target for the petroleum levy that Pakistan aims to achieve as discussed with the IMF in 2026?
(a) Rs1.2 trillion
(b) Rs1.8 trillion
(c) Rs1.468 trillion
(d) Rs2.1 trillion
Explanation: The government informed the IMF that it is well-positioned to meet the petroleum levy target of Rs1.468 trillion. Other figures are incorrect estimates of the stated fiscal goal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1996451/govt-hikes-petrol-price-by-rs6-diesel-by-rs19, 30 Apr 2026]
#1664
Which of the following individuals was NOT reported as being present at the meeting between the Prime Minister and the President on April 14, 2026?
(a) Rana Sanaullah
(b) Bilal Yaseen
(c) Sherry Rehman
(d) Nayyar Bukhari
Explanation: Bilal Yaseen is the Punjab Housing Minister and was not present at the meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr. The other individuals listed were explicitly mentioned as attendees in the official statement. [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]
#1665
Which of the following sectors was explicitly cited by the US administration as a reason for the discriminatory treatment leading to the 2026 tariffs?
(a) Aerospace components
(b) Pharmaceutical products
(c) Dairy goods
(d) Textile manufacturing
Explanation: The US administration identified dairy goods, along with alcohol and American-made cars, as sectors subject to discriminatory treatment by Canada, prompting the tariff response. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017209/us-imposes-new-50pc-tariffs-on-20bn-worth-of-canadian-products, 21 Jul 2026]
#1666
All of the following are objectives or focus areas of the Finance Minister's visit to Washington in July 2026 EXCEPT:
(a) Discussing market access for Pakistani exports
(b) Exploring funding for infrastructure and energy projects
(c) Negotiating a broader economic partnership framework
(d) Finalizing a complete debt write-off for Pakistan
Explanation: The visit focused on trade, investment, and economic cooperation, including discussions on tariffs and project financing. There is no mention of a debt write-off, making it the incorrect statement among the options provided. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017217/us-technology-firm-proposes-refinery-modernisation-plan-for-pakistan-in-meeting-with-finance-minister, 21 Jul 2026]
#1667
Which of the following statements regarding the Iran-US talks in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The talks in Islamabad lasted for nearly 21 hours.
(b) Iran maintains that its right to enrich uranium is indisputable.
(c) The negotiations in Islamabad resulted in a comprehensive peace agreement.
(d) Messages between Iran and the US have continued to be exchanged through Pakistan.
Explanation: The talks in Islamabad did not yield a breakthrough or a formal agreement, making statement B incorrect. The other statements accurately reflect the reported status of the negotiations and Iran's official stance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#1668
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. The US President indicated a preference for returning to Pakistan for further negotiations. 2. Iran has stated that the level of uranium enrichment is a negotiable issue. 3. The direct Iran-US talks in Islamabad were the first such engagement between the two nations since 1979. 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 3 is incorrect because the talks were the highest engagement since 1979, not the first. Statements 1 and 2 are factually accurate based on the reported comments from the US President and the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#1669
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]
#1670
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]
#1671
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]
#1672
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]
#1673
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]
#1674
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]
#1675
Who is the current President of Lebanon involved in the 2026 ceasefire negotiations?
(a) Joseph Aoun
(b) Michel Aoun
(c) Najib Mikati
(d) None of these
Explanation: Joseph Aoun is the Lebanese President who engaged in direct diplomatic discussions with US President Donald Trump to secure the ceasefire. Michel Aoun is a former president, and Najib Mikati is a former prime minister, making them incorrect in the context of the 2026 event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992354/10-day-ceasefire-between-israel-lebanon-takes-effect, 16 Apr 2026]
#1676
What was the policy rate maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan as of June 15, 2026?
(a) 11.5 percent
(b) 10.5 percent
(c) 12.5 percent
(d) 13.5 percent
Explanation: The Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5 percent during its final review for FY26. This rate is maintained to guide inflation toward the medium-term target range. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008043/central-bank-keeps-policy-rate-unchanged-at-115pc, 15 Jun 2026]
#1677
Who accompanied Field Marshal Asim Munir during his diplomatic visit to Tehran on April 15, 2026?
(a) Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
(b) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
(c) Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb
(d) None of these
Explanation: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was part of the formal delegation that accompanied Field Marshal Asim Munir to Tehran. The other listed ministers were not reported as part of this specific security-focused delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#1678
The Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the United States and Iran was scheduled to conclude on which date in 2026?
(a) April 19
(b) April 28
(c) April 25
(d) April 22
Explanation: The ceasefire, which paused hostilities following the February 2026 strikes, was set to expire on April 22, 2026. This date is critical as it marks the end of the diplomatic window for the current round of talks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1993224/trump-says-us-representatives-heading-to-islamabad-will-be-there-tomorrow-evening-for-negotiations-with-iran, 19 Apr 2026]
#1679
Brent crude futures rose by what percentage on July 21, 2026, as hostilities in the Gulf intensified?
(a) 1.2 percent
(b) 1.8 percent
(c) 1.5 percent
(d) 2.0 percent
Explanation: Brent crude futures rose by $1.62, which corresponds to a 1.8 percent increase, reaching $90.84 a barrel. This rise occurred as early market optimism eroded due to continued regional hostilities. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-2000-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#1680
What is the primary objective of the refinery modernization plan discussed by the Finance Minister in July 2026?
(a) To reduce reliance on imported petroleum products
(b) To increase the export of crude oil to the United States
(c) To privatize all state-owned oil marketing companies
(d) To establish a new pipeline network to Central Asia
Explanation: The modernization plan aims to enhance domestic refining capacity, which directly contributes to reducing the country's heavy reliance on imported petroleum products. This is a strategic move to improve energy security and stabilize the national economy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017217/us-technology-firm-proposes-refinery-modernisation-plan-for-pakistan-in-meeting-with-finance-minister, 21 Jul 2026]