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.
#16921
Consider the following statements about the fuel pricing policy in Pakistan: 1. The government transitioned to a daily fuel pricing mechanism due to international market volatility. 2. The Petroleum Division announced that fuel prices would be fixed weekly starting from July 2026. 3. Regional hostilities in the Persian Gulf have been cited as a primary factor for the recent price fluctuations. 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 and 3 are correct as the government moved to a daily pricing mechanism due to regional hostilities. Statement 2 is incorrect because the government moved to a daily, not weekly, pricing mechanism. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017065/govt-decreases-petrol-price-by-rs035-increases-diesel-by-rs571-per-litre, 20 Jul 2026]
#16922
Which of the following is NOT a stated objective of the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026?
(a) Facilitating investment in digital infrastructure
(b) Expanding high-speed internet access
(c) Removing regulatory barriers for telecom operators
(d) Mandating the privatization of all state-owned telecom assets
Explanation: The bill aims to facilitate investment, expand access, and remove regulatory barriers like Right of Way (ROW) issues. There is no mention in the provided text of mandating the privatization of state-owned assets as an objective of this specific bill. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013161/it-minister-stresses-proposed-telecom-bill-needed-as-existing-laws-insufficient-for-5g-other-modern-tech, 05 Jul 2026]
#16923
Consider the following statements about the abduction case reported on July 5, 2026: 1. The police rescued the victims after a car crash occurred near Bhatta Chowk. 2. The suspect, Muhammad Raza Dar, was apprehended after he voluntarily surrendered at the police station. 3. The police established contact with the victims through a conference call involving the Defence ASP. 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 and 3 are correct as the victims escaped after a crash and coordinated with the Defence ASP via a conference call. Statement 2 is incorrect because the police traced the suspect's location using technology and directed him to surrender, rather than him voluntarily walking into the station. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013143/foreign-women-abduction-case-police-ordered-to-treat-minister-linked-suspect-like-any-other-criminal, 05 Jul 2026]
#16924
Which of the following statements regarding the economic and governance landscape of Pakistan on August 11, 2026, are correct?
(a) Only 1 and 2 are correct.
(b) Only 2 and 3 are correct.
(c) Only 1 and 3 are correct.
(d) All statements are correct.
Explanation: The State Bank of Pakistan warned of potential inflationary price spirals, and the Supreme Court declared retrospective tax penalties unlawful. The World Bank expressed concern specifically over the diversion of funds from the Balochistan housing program, not the federal policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022040/sbp-warns-of-price-spirals]
#16925
Who is the current Mayor of New York City who addressed the ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu on July 22, 2026?
(a) Eric Adams
(b) Zohran Mamdani
(c) Bill de Blasio
(d) None of these
Explanation: Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City who publicly stated that his administration lacks the legal authority to execute an ICC warrant. Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio are former mayors, making them incorrect. [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]
#16926
Consider the following statements about the fuel price adjustment on July 3, 2026: 1. The price reduction was implemented to pass on the impact of lower global prices. 2. The government increased the petroleum levy, which prevented a larger decrease in fuel prices. 3. The ex-depot price of high-speed diesel was set at Rs309.50 per litre. 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. The price cut was a response to global trends, the levy increase mitigated a larger price drop, and the new HSD price was officially set at Rs309.50. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012738/govt-slashes-petrol-diesel-prices-by-rs197, 03 Jul 2026]
#16927
Which river system is specifically identified by the Flood Forecasting Division as likely to experience high flood levels at the Marala gauging station as of July 2026?
(a) River Indus
(b) River Chenab
(c) River Sutlej
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Flood Forecasting Division bulletin explicitly identifies the Chenab River at Marala as a site expected to reach high flood levels due to heavy rains. The Indus is currently reported at low to below-low levels at its major stations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017067/chenab-water-level-likely-to-surge-following-ongoing-rains-in-indian-occupied-kashmir-punjab, 20 Jul 2026]
#16928
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Turkiye in July 2026: 1. The visit was preceded by the signing of three MoUs in the power sector. 2. The Prime Minister's visit to Turkiye was his first international trip of the year. 3. The discussions between the leaders focused on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment. 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 three MoUs were signed in the power sector prior to the visit. Statement 3 is correct as trade and investment were primary focus areas. Statement 2 is incorrect as there is no evidence provided to suggest this was the Prime Minister's first international trip of the year. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012743/pm-shehbaz-arrives-in-turkiye-on-official-visit, 03 Jul 2026]
#16929
The government cited which of the following as the primary cause for the global fuel crisis affecting Pakistan in 2026?
(a) Global supply chain disruptions
(b) US-Israeli war on Iran
(c) OPEC production cuts
(d) Regional trade embargoes
Explanation: The government attributed the skyrocketing oil prices and the resulting fuel crisis to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which commenced on February 28, 2026. Other options are not cited as the primary driver of this specific crisis. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1988282/petrol-price-reduces-to-rs378-per-litre-as-govt-cuts-levy-by-rs80, 03 Apr 2026]
#16930
The petitioner in the 2026-07-28 PHC case claimed to be engaged in business activities in which location?
(a) Karachi and London
(b) Peshawar and Kabul
(c) Dubai and Pakistan
(d) Islamabad and Doha
Explanation: The petitioner's counsel informed the court that his client was conducting business in both Dubai and Pakistan. The other locations are incorrect as they were not mentioned in the context of the petitioner's business operations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018808/phc-stops-deportation-of-man-named-quaid-i-azam-directs-him-to-appear-before-nadra-board, 28 Jul 2026]
#16931
On what date in 2026 did the Pakistan Airports Authority issue the Notam extending the airspace ban on Indian aircraft?
(a) August 23, 2026
(b) July 24, 2026
(c) August 12, 2026
(d) July 18, 2026
Explanation: The PAA issued the specific Notam regarding the extension on July 18, 2026. August 23 is the date until which the ban is extended, not the date of the announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016474/paa-extends-airspace-ban-on-indian-aircraft-until-aug-23, 18 Jul 2026]
#16932
Considering the sequence of governance and economic actions reported on August 11, 2026, which of the following represents the correct chronological order of the event categories based on their thematic emergence in the official reporting cycle?
(a) Judicial Appointments -> Remittance Growth -> Transporter Strike -> Cabinet Policy Approvals
(b) Remittance Growth -> Transporter Strike -> Judicial Appointments -> Cabinet Policy Approvals
(c) Cabinet Policy Approvals -> Remittance Growth -> Judicial Appointments -> Transporter Strike
(d) Transporter Strike -> Cabinet Policy Approvals -> Judicial Appointments -> Remittance Growth
Explanation: Chronological reporting for the day reflects the official approval of judicial appointments, followed by the announcement of remittance increases, the ongoing industrial strike of transporters, and finally, federal cabinet policy approvals. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022098/president-zardari-approves-additional-judges-appointments-to-high-courts-after-days-long-delay]
#16933
Consider the following statements about the legal challenges mentioned: 1. The KP Chief Minister was summoned for alleged defamation of state institutions. 2. The Lahore High Court dismissed the plea to suspend the sentence citing Article 199 as a substitute for Section 426 of the CrPC. 3. The next hearing for the KP Chief Minister's case is scheduled for September 3, 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 provided text. The Chief Minister faces defamation charges, the LHC ruled that Article 199 cannot replace statutory appellate power, and the next hearing is set for September 3. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017406/arrest-warrants-out-for-kp-cm-afridi-over-failure-to-appear-in-court, 22 Jul 2026]
#16934
Which of the following Afghan provinces were targeted during the precision air strikes conducted by Pakistan on the night of June 28/29, 2026?
(a) Kandahar, Helmand, and Nimruz
(b) Nangarhar, Logar, and Khost
(c) Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar
(d) None of these
Explanation: The precision strikes targeted terrorist hideouts specifically located in the Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. None of these is incorrect because the correct provinces are explicitly identified in the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2011438/security-forces-kill-29-terrorists-in-ground-ops-air-strikes-along-pak-afghan-border-info-minister, 28 Jun 2026]
#16935
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic efforts in 2026: 1. Pakistan has been actively working to bring Tehran and Washington to the table for talks. 2. The Iranian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan twice within a two-day period. 3. The conflict involving Iran began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 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 diplomatic events of April 2026. Pakistan's mediation role, the frequency of the Iranian minister's visits, and the timeline of the conflict's origin are all verified details. [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]
#16936
Which police official held the press conference on July 5, 2026, to detail the recovery of the foreign women?
(a) DIG Operations Faisal Kamran
(b) Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique
(c) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Anwar
(d) None of these
Explanation: DIG Operations Faisal Kamran addressed the media on July 5, 2026, to clarify the police's role in the rescue and the status of the investigation. The other names are prominent police officials but were not the primary spokespersons for this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013143/foreign-women-abduction-case-police-ordered-to-treat-minister-linked-suspect-like-any-other-criminal, 05 Jul 2026]
#16937
During his visit to Istanbul on July 4, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set a bilateral trade target of:
(a) $1 billion
(b) $3 billion
(c) $10 billion
(d) $5 billion
Explanation: The leaders identified a target of $5 billion in bilateral trade as a key objective to unlock the full potential of the economic partnership. This figure represents the mutually agreed goal discussed during the official visit. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2012929/two-hearts-with-one-soul-pm-shehbaz-says-pak-turkiye-economic-partnership-entering-a-new-phase, 04 Jul 2026]
#16938
Who is the current Interior Minister of Pakistan who held talks with his Iranian counterpart in July 2026?
(a) Rana Sanaullah
(b) Mohsin Naqvi
(c) Sheikh Rashid Ahmed
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mohsin Naqvi is the serving Interior Minister of Pakistan who hosted the Iranian delegation. Rana Sanaullah and Sheikh Rashid are former interior ministers, making them incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017481/pakistan-ready-to-extend-cooperation-with-iran-in-all-fields-naqvi-tells-iranian-counterpart, 22 Jul 2026]
#16939
For how many hours were flight operations at Islamabad International Airport scheduled to be suspended on March 16, 2026?
(a) Five hours
(b) Three hours
(c) Four hours
(d) Two hours
Explanation: The PAA announced that flight operations would be temporarily suspended for a duration of two hours, specifically from 08:30am to 10:30am PKT on March 16, 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1982043/flight-operations-at-islamabad-airport-to-remain-suspended-for-2-hours-on-march-16-paa, 14 Mar 2026]
#16940
Who is heading the special committee constituted to examine the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill 2026?
(a) Shaza Fatima Khawaja
(b) Azam Nazeer Tarar
(c) Shehbaz Sharif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar is heading the special committee tasked with reviewing the bill following public concerns and controversy over its clauses. Shaza Fatima Khawaja is the IT Minister who addressed the press conference alongside him. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2013161/it-minister-stresses-proposed-telecom-bill-needed-as-existing-laws-insufficient-for-5g-other-modern-tech, 05 Jul 2026]