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.
#16881
Who served as the stand-in captain for the Australian cricket team during the ODI match on May 30, 2026?
(a) Pat Cummins
(b) Matthew Renshaw
(c) Mitchell Starc
(d) Josh Inglis
Explanation: With regular captain Pat Cummins absent, Josh Inglis took on the leadership role for the Australian side. Other players like Renshaw and Starc were present or mentioned, but Inglis held the captaincy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003971/pakistan-outspins-australia-in-milestone-odi-as-minhas-makes-history, 30 May 2026]
#16882
Which of the following statements regarding the FIR registered on March 8, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The FIR was registered under Section 114 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
(b) The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident.
(c) All three suspects were identified by name in the initial FIR.
(d) The incident occurred at a private hospital.
Explanation: The FIR named only one suspect, while the other two individuals were listed as unidentified. Therefore, the statement that all three were named is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979833/police-register-fir-after-15-year-old-allegedly-sexually-assaulted-in-mandi-bahauddin-hospital, 08 Mar 2026]
#16883
On what date did the first non-Iranian tanker since the start of the 2026 conflict transit the Strait of Hormuz?
(a) March 12, 2026
(b) March 16, 2026
(c) March 20, 2026
(d) March 24, 2026
Explanation: A Pakistani oil tanker successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on March 16, 2026, marking the first such voyage by a non-Iranian vessel since the onset of the conflict. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986336/dpm-dar-says-iran-has-allowed-20-more-ships-under-pakistan-flag-to-cross-strait-of-hormuz, 28 Mar 2026]
#16884
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a western disturbance is expected to approach which region first on March 24, 2026?
(a) Southwestern Balochistan
(b) Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(c) Upper Gilgit-Baltistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD press release explicitly states that the western disturbance is likely to approach the southwestern parts of Balochistan on the evening or night of March 24, 2026. Other regions are forecasted to be affected in subsequent days. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984621/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-across-country-from-march-24-30, 23 Mar 2026]
#16885
According to the statement made on July 22, 2026, which entity does the New York City Mayor identify as having the legal authority to execute an ICC warrant?
(a) The United States federal government
(b) The New York State Supreme Court
(c) The New York Police Department
(d) The United Nations Security Council
Explanation: The Mayor clarified that municipal authorities lack the power to enforce international warrants, explicitly calling upon the US federal government to intervene. The NYPD and state courts do not possess jurisdiction over international diplomatic arrests. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017473/he-is-a-war-criminal-mamdani-says-ny-cannot-arrest-netanyahu-on-icc-warrant-urges-us-federal-officials-to-step-in, 22 Jul 2026]
#16886
Consider the following statements about the government's austerity measures announced in March 2026: 1. The Prime Minister decided to review the work-from-home and distance learning plan on a weekly basis. 2. The government reported that the country currently lacks adequate reserves of petrol and diesel. 3. The Prime Minister urged federal and provincial ministers to play an effective role in resource provision. 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 PM decided to review the contingency plan weekly. Statement 2 is incorrect because the government explicitly stated that the country had adequate reserves of petrol and diesel. Statement 3 is correct as the PM called for active participation from all ministers. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979860/pm-shehbaz-to-announce-austerity-plan-tomorrow-amid-global-fuel-crisis, 08 Mar 2026]
#16887
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad on March 8, 2026: 1. The police detained both male and female participants during the march. 2. The wife of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Secretary General was among those detained. 3. The marchers were permitted to reach the National Press Club before being arrested. 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 both men and women were detained, and the wife of the HRCP Secretary General was arrested at the police station. Statement 3 is incorrect because the police were already present at the National Press Club, preventing the marchers from reaching it. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#16888
Which area in the twin cities remained closed to the public even after the general lifting of restrictions on April 26, 2026?
(a) The Islamabad International Airport
(b) The Diplomatic Enclave main gate
(c) Areas surrounding Nur Khan Airbase
(d) The Rawalpindi Railway Station
Explanation: Residential and commercial areas around the Nur Khan Airbase remained under closure, causing significant inconvenience to local residents. The other locations were not reported as remaining under restricted access. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995277/traffic-restrictions-around-islamabads-red-zone-serena-hotel-lifted-ishaq-dar, 26 Apr 2026]
#16889
Who were the two federal ministers responsible for announcing the fuel price adjustments on April 2, 2026?
(a) Ali Pervaiz Malik and Muhammad Aurangzeb
(b) Bilal Yaseen and Shehbaz Sharif
(c) Muhammad Aurangzeb and Bilal Yaseen
(d) Ali Pervaiz Malik and Shehbaz Sharif
Explanation: Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb jointly announced the fuel price revisions on April 2, 2026. Other combinations include the Prime Minister or other provincial ministers who were not the primary spokespersons for this specific announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994758/govt-hikes-petrol-high-speed-diesel-prices-by-rs26, 24 Apr 2026]
#16890
Who is the designated US Special Envoy expected to lead the engagement with Iran as per the 2026 diplomatic developments?
(a) Steve Witkoff
(b) Henry Kissinger
(c) Abbas Araghchi
(d) None of these
Explanation: Steve Witkoff is identified as the US Special Envoy tasked with leading the engagement. Henry Kissinger is a historical figure associated with past US-China diplomacy, and Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian Foreign Minister. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985071/islamabad-offers-to-host-us-iran-climbdown-effort, 25 Mar 2026]
#16891
All of the following are potential impacts of the weather system forecasted by the PMD for March 2026 EXCEPT:
(a) Landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GB, and AJK
(b) Widespread flooding in the Indus River delta
(c) Decrease in daytime temperatures in upper parts of the country
(d) Hailstorm at isolated places in Islamabad
Explanation: The PMD warned of landslides, temperature drops, and hailstorms, but it did not issue a warning for widespread flooding in the Indus River delta. Flooding is not a standard consequence of the described westerly wave in this context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980117/pmd-warns-winds-could-carry-pollutants-from-iran-worsen-air-quality-in-western-parts-of-pakistan, 09 Mar 2026]
#16892
Who led the Iranian delegation that visited Islamabad on April 25, 2026?
(a) Reza Amiri Moghadam
(b) Abbas Araghchi
(c) Ishaq Dar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Abbas Araghchi is the Foreign Minister of Iran who led the delegation to Pakistan. Reza Amiri Moghadam is the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, and Ishaq Dar is the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994958/iranian-delegation-led-by-araghchi-leaves-after-meeting-pm-cdf-munir-trump-cancels-us-envoys-visit, 25 Apr 2026]
#16893
Which prominent human rights defender was among those reported as detained by the police on March 8, 2026?
(a) Hina Jilani
(b) Asma Jahangir
(c) Tahira Abdullah
(d) Malala Yousafzai
Explanation: Tahira Abdullah, a well-known human rights defender, was explicitly named as one of the individuals taken into custody. The other figures listed were not involved in this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#16894
Consider the following statements about the PMD weather forecast for March 2026: 1. The weather system is expected to persist until March 31, 2026. 2. Hailstorms are expected only in the plains of Punjab. 3. Tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. 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 system may persist until March 31. Statement 2 is incorrect because hailstorms are predicted for various regions, including Balochistan, Sindh, and Kashmir, not just Punjab. Statement 3 is correct as the PMD advised travelers to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1984621/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-across-country-from-march-24-30, 23 Mar 2026]
#16895
On what date in 2026 did official sources in Pakistan dismiss reports regarding a delegation sent to Kabul?
(a) March 05, 2026
(b) March 15, 2026
(c) March 10, 2026
(d) March 20, 2026
Explanation: Official sources issued the clarification on March 10, 2026, in response to circulating rumors about diplomatic talks with the Afghan Taliban. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980547/official-sources-dismiss-reports-of-pakistan-sending-delegation-to-kabul-for-talks-with-afghan-taliban, 10 Mar 2026]
#16896
What is the primary geopolitical reason cited for the disruption of LNG supplies to Pakistan in 2026?
(a) Closure of the Strait of Hormuz
(b) Sanctions on the Suez Canal
(c) Blockade of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
(d) None of these
Explanation: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following regional military escalations has prevented LNG-loaded vessels from reaching their destinations, forcing suppliers like Qatar to declare force majeure. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998447/pakistan-turns-down-two-lowest-evaluated-lng-bids, 07 May 2026]
#16897
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic events of April 25, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) CDF Asim Munir held a separate meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
(b) The US President confirmed the cancellation of the envoys' visit via Fox News.
(c) The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad with the intention of permanently relocating to Pakistan.
(d) Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was present during the meeting at the Prime Minister's House.
Explanation: The Iranian delegation visited for diplomatic consultations and explicitly planned to return to Tehran or travel to other regional capitals, not to relocate. The other three statements are factually accurate based on the reported events. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994958/iranian-delegation-led-by-araghchi-leaves-after-meeting-pm-cdf-munir-trump-cancels-us-envoys-visit, 25 Apr 2026]
#16898
Which of the following regions was specifically mentioned by the PMD as likely to experience rain and thunderstorms between March 9 and March 12, 2026?
(a) Thar Desert
(b) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(c) Coastal Sindh
(d) None of these
Explanation: The PMD forecast identified several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such as Dir, Kohistan, and Chitral, as areas expected to receive rain and thunderstorms. Thar and coastal Sindh were not included in this specific weather advisory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980117/pmd-warns-winds-could-carry-pollutants-from-iran-worsen-air-quality-in-western-parts-of-pakistan, 09 Mar 2026]
#16899
Which of the following companies did NOT submit a successful bid for the spot LNG cargoes in the April 2026 tender?
(a) TotalEnergies
(b) Vitol Bahrain
(c) OQ Trading
(d) Trafigura
Explanation: TotalEnergies, Vitol Bahrain, and OQ Trading were the three companies that secured the lowest bids. Trafigura was not among the successful bidders mentioned in the tender results. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994734/pakistan-secures-3-bids-for-spot-lng-cargoes, 24 Apr 2026]
#16900
At which location in Pakistan did the Iranian Foreign Minister arrive for his diplomatic visit in 2026?
(a) Allama Iqbal International Airport
(b) Jinnah International Airport
(c) Nur Khan Air Base
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Iranian Foreign Minister arrived at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi. The other options are major civilian airports in Pakistan that were not the site of this specific diplomatic arrival. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1995258/irans-araghchi-visits-pakistan-for-2nd-time-in-two-days-envoy-says-trip-undertaken-to-discuss-regional-developments, 26 Apr 2026]