October 2026 Edition
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October 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#1081
On May 10, 2026, which Pakistani official was specifically commended by the Prime Minister for his dedication to the mediation efforts between the US and Iran?
(a) Ishaq Dar
(b) Tahir Andrabi
(c) Asim Munir
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif explicitly congratulated Field Marshal Asim Munir for his dedication to the mediation cause. While Ishaq Dar was also commended, the Prime Minister's specific mention of the Field Marshal's dedication highlights his central role in the military-diplomatic coordination. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999181/tehran-sends-response-to-us-peace-proposal-via-pakistan, 10 May 2026]
#1082
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic mediation efforts on May 10, 2026: 1. Pakistan acted as a mediator to convey Iran's response to the US. 2. The US proposal includes a 30-day window for negotiating Iran's nuclear program. 3. The US has completely lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports. 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 factually accurate based on the diplomatic developments. Statement 3 is incorrect because the US maintained the broader naval blockade of Iranian ports despite suspending the specific 'Project Freedom' escort plan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999181/tehran-sends-response-to-us-peace-proposal-via-pakistan, 10 May 2026]
#1083
Who is the current Petroleum Minister of Pakistan as of March 2026?
(a) Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Ali Pervaiz Malik
(c) Murad Ali Shah
(d) None of these
Explanation: Ali Pervaiz Malik is the Petroleum Minister who briefed provincial leadership on fuel reserves. Muhammad Aurangzeb is the Finance Minister, and Murad Ali Shah is the Chief Minister of Sindh. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979807/three-petrol-shipments-expected-on-monday-petroleum-minister, 08 Mar 2026]
#1084
Consider the following statements about the fuel management strategy discussed in March 2026: 1. The government is developing a joint dashboard to monitor fuel reserves across provinces. 2. The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority has been tasked with monitoring the fuel supply situation. 3. The government has successfully secured a permanent exemption from the petroleum levy from the IMF. 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 administrative measures taken to monitor reserves and enforce regulations. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government is only planning to request relief, not that it has already secured a permanent exemption. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979807/three-petrol-shipments-expected-on-monday-petroleum-minister, 08 Mar 2026]
#1085
What was the reported increase in the price of petroleum products announced by the government on March 6, 2026?
(a) Rs 55 per litre
(b) Rs 45 per litre
(c) Rs 35 per litre
(d) Rs 65 per litre
Explanation: The government officially announced a price hike of Rs 55 per litre for petroleum products to manage the regional energy crisis. This figure is a specific data point provided in the official government communication. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979860/pm-shehbaz-to-announce-austerity-plan-tomorrow-amid-global-fuel-crisis, 08 Mar 2026]
#1086
What was the peak price of high-speed diesel (HSD) per litre reached in Pakistan on April 3, 2026?
(a) Rs378.78
(b) Rs458.41
(c) Rs520.35
(d) None of these
Explanation: High-speed diesel reached its peak price of Rs520.35 per litre on April 3, 2026, during the height of the energy crisis. Rs458.41 was the peak price for petrol on the same date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2009236/pm-shehbaz-announces-reduction-in-prices-of-petrol-by-rs74-diesel-by-rs67, 19 Jun 2026]
#1087
Consider the following statements about the energy crisis discussed in the March 2026 hearing: 1. The Strait of Hormuz historically accounts for 20 percent of global LNG and a quarter of seaborne oil. 2. The CPPA Chief stated that LNG-based plants can easily be run on domestic gas diverted from older fields. 3. Providing electricity from the national grid to K-Electric is described as beneficial for overall consumer costs.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 2 is false because the CPPA chief explicitly stated that LNG-based plants cannot be run on domestic gas through diversion from older plants. Statements 1 and 3 are factually accurate based on the provided text. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1987262/lng-supplies-under-force-majeure-not-available-for-power-generation-say-officials, 31 Mar 2026]
#1088
The price of diesel, based on Platts, increased to more than how many dollars per barrel during the 2026 energy crisis?
(a) 100 dollars
(b) 150 dollars
(c) 250 dollars
(d) 200 dollars
Explanation: The Petroleum Minister noted that diesel prices, which are indexed to Platts, surged from $80 per barrel to over $200 per barrel. This reflects the unprecedented global oil price hike mentioned in the 2026 briefing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#1089
On March 20, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the federal government would bear a financial burden of how much to prevent a fuel price hike?
(a) Rs 24 billion
(b) Rs 45 billion
(c) Rs 69 billion
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister stated that the government spent Rs 24 billion in an earlier instance and Rs 45 billion in the most recent instance, totaling Rs 69 billion in subsidies to prevent price increases. Option A and B represent partial components of this total expenditure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984122/pm-shehbaz-rejects-recommendations-for-further-hike-in-petrol-diesel-prices, 20 Mar 2026]
#1090
According to the government's 2026 energy briefing, how much in savings was generated through recent austerity measures?
(a) Rs 17 billion
(b) Rs 27 billion
(c) Rs 22 billion
(d) Rs 32 billion
Explanation: The Petroleum Minister confirmed that government-led austerity measures successfully accumulated Rs 27 billion in a special fund. These funds are designated to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices on the general public. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#1091
Who is the new Supreme Leader of Iran as of March 2026?
(a) Ali Khamenei
(b) Mojtaba Khamenei
(c) Hassan Rouhani
(d) Ebrahim Raisi
Explanation: Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Ali Khamenei is the former leader, while the other names are not current holders of this position. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984191/trump-says-considering-winding-down-iran-war-but-rules-out-ceasefire, 21 Mar 2026]
#1092
Which two countries were specifically mentioned as providing uninterrupted crude oil supplies to Pakistan during the 2026 energy crisis?
(a) Kuwait and Oman
(b) Iran and Qatar
(c) Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
(d) Iraq and Azerbaijan
Explanation: The government secured crude oil supplies from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates through diplomatic channels to bypass regional maritime disruptions. These nations remain the primary partners in ensuring fuel supply continuity. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#1093
Consider the following statements about the fuel price situation as of March 20, 2026: 1. The government has already implemented a price hike of Rs 55 per litre earlier in the month. 2. The most recent recommendation rejected by the PM included a Rs 177 per litre increase for high-speed diesel. 3. The government is funding the subsidies through new international loans. 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 factually correct based on the Prime Minister's address. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government explicitly stated it is funding the subsidies through savings and cuts in development expenditure, not through new loans. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984122/pm-shehbaz-rejects-recommendations-for-further-hike-in-petrol-diesel-prices, 20 Mar 2026]
#1094
Who currently serves as the Federal Minister for Petroleum in Pakistan as of March 21, 2026?
(a) Ishaq Dar
(b) Ali Pervaiz Malik
(c) Attaullah Tarar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Ali Pervaiz Malik is the Petroleum Minister who addressed the press conference regarding energy scarcity on March 21, 2026. Ishaq Dar serves as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, while Attaullah Tarar is the Information Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#1095
Which of the following is NOT a measure suggested by the government to conserve energy in 2026?
(a) Increasing industrial electricity tariffs
(b) Promoting work from home
(c) Avoiding unnecessary travel
(d) Utilizing e-learning in universities
Explanation: The government suggested avoiding travel, working from home, and using e-learning to save fuel. Increasing industrial tariffs is a fiscal policy measure, not a conservation suggestion mentioned in the 2026 briefing. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#1096
Consider the following statements about the 2026 energy governance measures: 1. The government has prioritized protecting the weakest sections of society over general subsidies. 2. The Strait of Hormuz remains the primary route for current oil imports from Saudi Arabia. 3. The government has established a committee to hold daily review meetings regarding oil reserves. 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 government aims to divert resources to the weak strata. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and oil is being sourced via the Red Sea and Fujairah. Statement 3 is correct as the Information Minister confirmed the formation of a committee for daily reviews. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984252/scarcity-of-energy-pm-shehbaz-urges-nation-govt-to-display-responsible-attitude, 21 Mar 2026]
#1097
Consider the following statements about the geopolitical situation reported on July 17, 2026: 1. The US Central Command reported a sixth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military capabilities. 2. Qatar's defence ministry reported thwarting an Iranian missile attack. 3. Both Brent and WTI crude benchmarks have seen a decline of nearly 12 percent over the week. 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 based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the benchmarks climbed nearly 12 percent, rather than declining. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016168/oil-rises-on-intensifying-us-iran-hostilities-threat-of-red-sea-closure, 17 Jul 2026]
#1098
Consider the following statements about the energy crisis in South Asia as of March 11, 2026: 1. India is the world's fourth-largest buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG). 2. Bangladesh has deployed police to patrol filling stations to maintain order. 3. The restaurant industry in India is predominantly dependent on commercial LPG for operations. 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 report. India's status as a major LNG buyer, the deployment of police in Bangladesh, and the reliance of the Indian restaurant sector on commercial LPG are all confirmed details. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980784/troops-guard-bangladesh-depots-after-oil-riots, 11 Mar 2026]
#1099
Which financial institution in the United Arab Emirates reported a net profit of 5.72 billion dirhams for the second quarter of 2026?
(a) Emirates NBD
(b) First Abu Dhabi Bank
(c) Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
(d) None of these
Explanation: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) reported a net profit of 5.72 billion dirhams for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank are also major lenders in the region but did not report this specific profit figure. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431470/most-gulf-markets-gain-on-quarterly-earnings-but-geopolitical-risks-limit-upside, 23 Jul 2026]
#1100
Consider the following statements about the impact of Middle East tensions on global energy markets as of July 23, 2026: 1. Brent crude futures approached $99 a barrel in Asian trade. 2. The conflict has raised concerns regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 3. Brent crude prices have rallied 12% over the week ending July 23, 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 report. Brent crude reached nearly $99, the Strait of Hormuz is a focal point for supply disruption fears, and the 12% weekly rally is confirmed. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431465/indian-bonds-fall-for-third-session-as-oil-prices-near-100-a-barrel, 23 Jul 2026]