#18261

What was the estimated age of the new moon at the time of sunset on March 19, 2026, according to Suparco?

(a) 12 hours and 41 minutes

(b) 10 hours and 20 minutes

(c) 14 hours and 15 minutes

(d) 16 hours and 30 minutes

Explanation: Suparco's technical assessment determined the age of the moon to be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes at sunset on March 19, 2026. This age was considered insufficient for reliable sighting under standard conditions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980975/eidul-fitr-likely-to-fall-on-march-21-suparco, 11 Mar 2026]

#18262

Which sector faced significant selling pressure on the PSX on July 21, 2026, due to policy uncertainty?

(a) Cement production

(b) Textile manufacturing

(c) Refinery stocks

(d) Oil and gas exploration

Explanation: Refinery stocks were specifically noted for bearing the brunt of selling pressure due to market speculation regarding potential delays in the implementation of the refinery policy. Other sectors like cement and textiles were actually highlighted as areas where investors expected strong earnings results. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]

#18263

According to the revised schedule, which division is slated for the first phase of polling on July 27, 2026?

(a) Poonch division

(b) Muzaffarabad division

(c) Kotli division

(d) Mirpur division

Explanation: The AJK Election Commission designated the Mirpur division for the first phase of polling on July 27. Muzaffarabad and Poonch are scheduled for subsequent phases. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017254/ajk-election-commissioner-says-polls-to-be-held-in-three-phases-beginning-july-27, 21 Jul 2026]

#18264

Which of the following statements regarding the May 10, 2026, attack in Bannu is INCORRECT?

(a) The attack involved a vehicle laden with explosives.

(b) The rescue operation was concluded by Rescue 1122 on Sunday morning.

(c) The police post remained largely intact despite the intensity of the blast.

(d) Terrorists opened heavy fire following the initial explosion.

Explanation: The statement that the police post remained intact is false; reports confirm the post was completely destroyed by the powerful blast. The other statements accurately reflect the events of the attack. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999132/15-police-personnel-martyred-in-bannu-suicide-attack, 10 May 2026]

#18265

On May 8, 2026, the IMF Executive Board approved a financing package for Pakistan totaling:

(a) 1.10 billion dollars

(b) 1.32 billion dollars

(c) 4.80 billion dollars

(d) 16.0 billion dollars

Explanation: The IMF approved $1.32 billion in financing during the May 2026 review. While $4.8 billion represents the total cumulative disbursements under the current arrangements, $1.32 billion is the specific amount approved in this tranche. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18266

Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 Shawwal moon sighting is INCORRECT?

(a) The new moon was expected to be born on March 19, 2026.

(b) Suparco predicted the chances of sighting the crescent on March 19 were low.

(c) The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is not required to consider witness testimonies.

(d) The estimated interval between sunset and moonset was 28 minutes.

Explanation: The statement that the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is not required to consider witness testimonies is false. The committee is explicitly mandated to make decisions based on credible witness testimonies and verified observations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980975/eidul-fitr-likely-to-fall-on-march-21-suparco, 11 Mar 2026]

#18267

What was the primary geopolitical factor contributing to the rise in global oil prices on July 21, 2026?

(a) Sanctions on Russian energy exports

(b) Threats of a naval blockade by Yemen's Houthis

(c) OPEC production quota adjustments

(d) Disruption in the Suez Canal transit

Explanation: The rise in oil prices was attributed to continued hostilities in the Gulf and specific threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi forces. This geopolitical instability directly impacted global energy market sentiment. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]

#18268

Which official attended the July 16, 2026, meeting as the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan?

(a) Tariq Bajwa

(b) Muhammad Aurangzeb

(c) Ahsan Iqbal

(d) Jameel Ahmad

Explanation: Jameel Ahmad is the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan who attended the meeting. Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal were present as Federal Ministers, while Tariq Bajwa attended as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015941/pm-shehbaz-warns-renewed-us-iran-conflict-could-hit-economy-again, 16 Jul 2026]

#18269

Who served as the Acting Chair during the IMF Executive Board meeting on May 8, 2026?

(a) Kristalina Georgieva

(b) Gita Gopinath

(c) Nigel Clarke

(d) David Malpass

Explanation: Nigel Clarke, the IMF Deputy Managing Director, presided over the meeting as the Acting Chair. The other individuals listed hold or have held different leadership roles within the IMF or World Bank. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18270

Which of the following statements regarding the KSE-100 market performance on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The index closed with a decline of 0.12 per cent.

(b) The market experienced a sharp dip after 12pm.

(c) The index opened the session in the green.

(d) The index reached an intraday high of 178,370.45.

Explanation: The index actually closed with a gain of 0.12 per cent, not a decline. The other three statements accurately describe the market's opening, the timing of the mid-day dip, and the intraday peak. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/kse-100-makes-marginal-gains-as-global-energy-uncertainty-weighs-on-early-rally, 21 Jul 2026]

#18271

Which of the following statements regarding the flood situation in Nuristan on July 21, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The military was deployed to support the relief effort.

(b) The United Nations was involved in assessing the disaster.

(c) The death toll was confirmed to be exactly 100 people.

(d) Dozens of shops and buildings were destroyed by the flood.

Explanation: The report stated that 23 people were killed and around 100 were unaccounted for, not that 100 people were confirmed dead. The other statements accurately reflect the relief and damage assessment efforts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]

#18272

Which sector was specifically identified as a primary contributor to the market recovery on July 21, 2026?

(a) Textile manufacturing

(b) Pharmaceutical production

(c) Banking and refinery

(d) Automobile assembly

Explanation: Banking and refinery stocks were the primary drivers of the late-session recovery, offsetting early losses. Other sectors like textiles or pharmaceuticals were not cited as the main contributors to the index's rebound. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017152/stocks-eke-out-gains-amid-extreme-volatility, 21 Jul 2026]

#18273

According to the IMF review of May 2026, what was the level of Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves at the end of December 2025?

(a) 16.0 billion dollars

(b) 14.5 billion dollars

(c) 18.2 billion dollars

(d) 20.5 billion dollars

Explanation: The IMF report confirmed that foreign exchange reserves reached $16 billion by the end of December 2025, an increase from the $14.5 billion recorded in June 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18274

According to the 2026 astronomical forecast, on what date was the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH expected to be born?

(a) March 17, 2026

(b) March 18, 2026

(c) March 19, 2026

(d) None of these

Explanation: The astronomical analysis stated that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 6:23 am. This timing is critical for determining the visibility of the crescent at sunset on the same day. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980975/eidul-fitr-likely-to-fall-on-march-21-suparco, 11 Mar 2026]

#18275

Which of the following government officials were reported missing following the flash floods in Nuristan on July 21, 2026?

(a) The Provincial Governor

(b) The Mayor of Parun

(c) The Minister of Defense

(d) The Chief of Police

Explanation: The governor's office reported that the mayor of Parun was among those missing after the deluge. The provincial governor was not reported missing, and the defense minister is a national-level official. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017247/afghans-search-for-dozens-missing-some-with-bare-hands-after-devastating-flood-in-nuristan-province, 21 Jul 2026]

#18276

Which of the following is NOT a component of the security measures reported during the 2026 escort operation?

(a) Deployment of two dozen fighter jets

(b) Use of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)

(c) Ground-based infantry escort to Tehran

(d) Aerial surveillance of the delegation's path

Explanation: The security operation was conducted entirely through aerial assets, including fighter jets and AWACS for surveillance. There was no mention of a ground-based infantry escort to Tehran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992620/pakistan-escorted-iranian-negotiators-home-from-peace-talks-amid-concerns-of-israeli-attack-sources-say, 17 Apr 2026]

#18277

Who is the current Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as of July 2026?

(a) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal

(b) Justice (retd) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan

(c) Justice (retd) Raja Saeed Akram

(d) None of these

Explanation: Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal is the Chief Election Commissioner who announced the three-phase electoral schedule. The other names are not associated with this specific announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017254/ajk-election-commissioner-says-polls-to-be-held-in-three-phases-beginning-july-27, 21 Jul 2026]

#18278

Which facility, alongside the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), provided funding to Pakistan in the May 2026 IMF review?

(a) Precautionary and Liquidity Line

(b) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust

(c) Flexible Credit Line

(d) Resilience and Sustainability Facility

Explanation: The financing package consists of funds from the EFF and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The other options are alternative IMF lending instruments not utilized in this specific disbursement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998725/imfs-executive-board-approves-12-billion-financing-for-pakistans-reform-programme, 08 May 2026]

#18279

Which of the following statements regarding the July 2026 wildfire dispute is INCORRECT?

(a) The US President suggested that Canada should pay damages for the smoke impact.

(b) The US government has already finalized a permanent trade embargo against Canada.

(c) The wildfire smoke threatened to disrupt the World Cup final.

(d) The US President accused Canada of negligence regarding the fires.

Explanation: There is no evidence that a permanent trade embargo has been finalized; the administration only threatened the use of tariffs as a potential leverage tool. The other statements accurately reflect the events reported on July 21, 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017162/trump-seeks-damages-from-canada-over-wildfires, 21 Jul 2026]

#18280

Which Canadian Foreign Minister visited Islamabad in July 2026, marking the first such visit in nearly 20 years?

(a) Melanie Joly

(b) Anita Anand

(c) Marc Garneau

(d) Chrystia Freeland

Explanation: Anita Anand conducted the official visit to Pakistan in July 2026, which was noted as the first visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister to the country in approximately two decades. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017175/canada-announces-over-47m-in-assistance, 21 Jul 2026]

July 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions