October 2026 Edition

October 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions

Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.

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#17701

Consider the following statements about the visit of the US delegation in July 2026: 1. The delegation met with the Governor of Punjab in Lahore. 2. The US congressmen expressed that the bilateral relationship has never been better. 3. The delegation visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal during their stay in Islamabad. 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 the delegation met the Punjab Governor and Zinke remarked on the strength of the relationship. Statement 3 is incorrect because the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal is located in Lahore, not Islamabad. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018779/in-meeting-with-cdf-munir-us-congressmen-acknowledge-pakistans-critical-role-in-regional-stability-ispr, 27 Jul 2026]
#17702

In the 2026 AJK elections, the second phase of polling was scheduled for which division?

(a) Muzaffarabad division
(b) Poonch division
(c) Mirpur division
(d) None of these
Explanation: The second phase of the AJK elections was scheduled for August 2, 2026, covering nine constituencies in the Muzaffarabad division. The Mirpur division polls were held in the first phase. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018960/ajk-elections-pml-n-grabs-9-out-of-13-seats-across-mirpur-division-unofficial-results-show, 28 Jul 2026]
#17703

Who is the current Inspector General of Prisons for Punjab as of 2026?

(a) Mian Salik Jalal
(b) Salman Akram Raja
(c) Aaliya Hamza
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mian Salik Jalal serves as the Inspector General of Prisons in Punjab and is the official responsible for addressing allegations regarding jail administration. The other names listed are political figures, not prison officials. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018804/pti-claims-jailed-leader-aaliya-hamza-attacked-in-kot-lakhpat-jail, 27 Jul 2026]
#17704

Consider the following statements about the security situation in Lakki Marwat: 1. The March 10, 2026, attack was the first time a quadcopter was used in the district. 2. Local police identified the perpetrators as suspected terrorists. 3. Previous quadcopter strikes in the region have targeted public spaces like football grounds. 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 report mentions a previous quadcopter strike in the same district approximately one month prior. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate based on the provided information. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980622/5-children-injured-in-quadcopter-attack-in-kps-lakki-marwat-officials, 10 Mar 2026]
#17705

Which of the following statements regarding the IHC hearing on March 11, 2026, is INCORRECT?

(a) The court imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the NAB.
(b) The defense counsel argued that access to the incarcerated former premier had been curtailed for four months.
(c) The NAB prosecutor stated that the special prosecutor was absent due to urgent official duties at the Supreme Court.
(d) The defense counsel drew a parallel between the current case and the military tribunal conviction of Faiz Hameed.
Explanation: The NAB prosecutor claimed the special prosecutor was absent due to 'religious rituals,' not official duties at the Supreme Court. The other statements accurately reflect the proceedings described. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980875/ihc-fines-nab-rs100000-for-employing-delaying-tactics-in-ps190m-graft-case-against-imran-bushra, 11 Mar 2026]
#17706

Who emerged as the winner in the LA-1 (Mirpur-I) constituency during the 2026 AJK elections?

(a) Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed
(b) Qasim Majeed
(c) Yasir Sultan
(d) Azhar Sadiq
Explanation: Azhar Sadiq of the PML-N won the LA-1 (Mirpur-I) seat with 15,427 votes. The other candidates listed won or contested in different constituencies within the Mirpur division. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018960/ajk-elections-pml-n-grabs-9-out-of-13-seats-across-mirpur-division-unofficial-results-show, 28 Jul 2026]
#17707

What is the target inflation range set by the State Bank of Pakistan as mentioned in the July 2026 report?

(a) 3-5 percent
(b) 9-11 percent
(c) 7-9 percent
(d) 5-7 percent
Explanation: The SBP maintains a target inflation range of 5-7 percent. Current inflation levels of 11.1 percent are well above this threshold, necessitating a restrictive monetary policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018929/policy-rate-pause-splits-stakeholders, 28 Jul 2026]
#17708

Consider the following statements about the AJK elections held on July 27, 2026: 1. The elections were held in 13 constituencies of the Mirpur division. 2. The PPP and PML-N were the primary political parties involved in the reported scuffles. 3. The polling process concluded at 5:00 PM without any extensions. 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 2 are factually correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the polling time was extended by one hour, concluding at 6:00 PM rather than 5:00 PM. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018691/polling-concludes-in-mirpur-division-as-scuffles-rigging-allegations-mar-first-phase-of-ajk-elections, 27 Jul 2026]
#17709

According to the June 2026 data, what was the recorded inflation rate in Pakistan?

(a) 11.1 percent
(b) 12.5 percent
(c) 9.8 percent
(d) None of these
Explanation: The inflation rate for June 2026 was reported at 11.1 percent, which remains significantly higher than the SBP's target range of 5-7 percent. This elevated inflation is a primary reason for the cautious monetary policy stance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018929/policy-rate-pause-splits-stakeholders, 28 Jul 2026]
#17710

Consider the following statements about the 2026 AJK elections: 1. The elections were conducted in three phases due to security concerns. 2. The PML-N secured a majority of the seats in the Mirpur division. 3. The Chief Election Commissioner described the polls as the most difficult in the history of AJK. 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 election reports. The polls were phased for security, the PML-N won nine out of 13 seats in Mirpur, and the Chief Election Commissioner publicly noted the difficulty of the process. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018960/ajk-elections-pml-n-grabs-9-out-of-13-seats-across-mirpur-division-unofficial-results-show, 28 Jul 2026]
#17711

The major bridge damaged by floodwaters on 2026-07-28 is located near which area?

(a) Raiwind Junction
(b) Qila Sattar Shah
(c) Wazirabad City
(d) Lala Musa
Explanation: The railway authorities identified the bridge near Qila Sattar Shah as a primary site of structural damage due to soil erosion. This bridge is situated on the Lahore-Shahdara-Sheikhupura-Faisalabad section. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018903/floodwaters-sever-rail-link-between-lahore-faisalabad, 28 Jul 2026]
#17712

What was the policy rate maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan as of July 28, 2026?

(a) 9.5 percent
(b) 10.5 percent
(c) 11.5 percent
(d) 12.5 percent
Explanation: The State Bank of Pakistan decided to keep the benchmark interest rate at 11.5 percent in its July 2026 review. This decision was made to balance macroeconomic stability against the demands for industrial growth. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018929/policy-rate-pause-splits-stakeholders, 28 Jul 2026]
#17713

Who is the judge of the Islamabad High Court who held the petitions for sentence suspension admissible on 2026-07-28?

(a) Justice Faisal Siddiqui
(b) Justice Zainab Janjua
(c) Justice Muhammad Azam Khan
(d) Justice Aamer Farooq
Explanation: Justice Muhammad Azam Khan presided over the matter and ruled that the petitions were admissible, thereby removing the procedural hurdle raised by the prosecution. Faisal Siddiqui and Zainab Janjua are the advocates representing the petitioners, not the presiding judge. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018916/imaan-hadi-seek-early-hearing-of-their-petition-in-peca-case, 28 Jul 2026]
#17714

Consider the following statements about the 2026 AJK election discourse: 1. The PML-N claimed that the PPP had been in power in AJK for the past year. 2. The Punjab Chief Minister argued that the PPP failed to present a clear development narrative for AJK. 3. The PPP leadership congratulated the PML-N on their victory in the Mirpur division. 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 arguments made by the Punjab Chief Minister regarding the PPP's governance record and lack of a program. Statement 3 is incorrect because the PPP leadership, specifically Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, alleged rigging rather than offering congratulations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2019014/coalition-partners-ppp-pml-n-spar-after-first-phase-of-ajk-elections-as-political-temperatures-rise, 28 Jul 2026]
#17715

Consider the following statements about the railway infrastructure crisis on 2026-07-28: 1. The flooding caused breaches at 25 locations along the Lahore-Faisalabad route. 2. The Karakoram Express was completely cancelled due to the damage. 3. The Met Office warned of continued flood risks in major rivers due to monsoon rains. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as 25 breaches were reported. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Karakoram Express was diverted, not cancelled. Statement 3 is correct as the Met Office issued warnings regarding the monsoon flood risk. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018903/floodwaters-sever-rail-link-between-lahore-faisalabad, 28 Jul 2026]
#17716

Consider the following statements regarding the economic situation in Pakistan as of July 2026: 1. The SBP's decision to maintain the policy rate is supported by domestic trade bodies to curb inflation. 2. Private sector credit showed signs of recovery in June 2026. 3. Industrial stakeholders argue that a single-digit interest rate is necessary to improve export competitiveness. 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 domestic trade bodies (FPCCI, Korangi Association) criticized the policy rate as contractionary, not supportive. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate reflections of the economic sentiment and data reported in July 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018929/policy-rate-pause-splits-stakeholders, 28 Jul 2026]
#17717

Which two water bodies caused the breaches that led to the suspension of rail traffic between Lahore and Faisalabad on 2026-07-28?

(a) Nullah Deg and Nullah Bherr
(b) River Ravi and River Chenab
(c) Nullah Leh and Nullah Korang
(d) None of these
Explanation: The suspension of rail services was specifically attributed to breaches in Nullah Deg and Nullah Bherr, which caused soil erosion under railway bridges. While the Ravi and Chenab rivers are experiencing flood levels, the specific infrastructure damage was caused by the nullahs. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018903/floodwaters-sever-rail-link-between-lahore-faisalabad, 28 Jul 2026]
#17718

Who is the current Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who filed the rejoinder before the Federal Constitutional Court on July 28, 2026?

(a) Ali Amin Gandapur
(b) Sohail Afridi
(c) Pervez Khattak
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sohail Afridi is the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who submitted the formal response to the Federal Constitutional Court. Ali Amin Gandapur is a former Chief Minister, making him an incorrect choice. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018901/no-release-imran-force-exists-kp-cm-tells-federal-constitutional-court, 28 Jul 2026]
#17719

Under which specific legislation were Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha convicted in 2026?

(a) Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)
(b) Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
(c) Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)
(d) None of these
Explanation: The lawyers were convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for charges related to social media posts. The other options are distinct legal frameworks not cited as the primary basis for this specific conviction. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018916/imaan-hadi-seek-early-hearing-of-their-petition-in-peca-case, 28 Jul 2026]
#17720

On 28 July 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of which specific body to discuss energy sector reforms?

(a) Cabinet Committee on Energy
(b) National Economic Council
(c) Executive Committee of the National Economic Council
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) to approve amendments to the oil refining policy and discuss strategic petroleum reserves. The other committees listed are distinct bodies with different mandates. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018968/pm-orders-increase-in-countrys-strategic-petroleum-reserves-changes-to-oil-refining-policy-approved, 28 Jul 2026]