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.
#18221
Consider the following statements about the 2026 peace initiative in Islamabad: 1. The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for de-escalation in Lebanon. 2. The first round of talks is scheduled to occur on April 11, 2026. 3. The Iranian leadership expressed appreciation for Pakistan's role in hosting the negotiations. 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 correct. The ceasefire covers Lebanon, the talks are set for the weekend following the April 8, 2026 announcement (specifically April 11), and the Iranian President explicitly thanked the Pakistani leadership for their mediation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989847/us-iranian-delegations-expected-in-pakistan-on-friday-white-house-says-first-round-of-talks-to-be-held-on-saturday, 08 Apr 2026]
#18222
On April 9, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with which official to review Pakistan's mediatory efforts between the US and Iran?
(a) Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir
(b) Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
(c) President of Pakistan
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir, who serves as the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, to discuss the progress of regional peace initiatives. Ishaq Dar is the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, making him a separate official involved in the diplomatic process. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990234/pm-shehbaz-cdf-munir-discuss-pakistans-efforts-to-mediate-between-us-and-iran, 09 Apr 2026]
#18223
Consider the following statements about the cabinet committee meeting held on April 6, 2026: 1. The committee expressed concern over loopholes in the diesel rate build-up. 2. Climate Change Minister Dr. Musadik Malik previously served as the energy and petroleum minister. 3. The government decided to rely solely on private sector data for monitoring retail outlets. 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. Statement 3 is incorrect because the government is actively deploying joint teams to ensure data transparency and is not relying solely on private sector data, which was noted as having even poorer integration than PSO. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989171/ogra-pso-come-under-fire-for-poor-monitoring-of-oil-stocks, 06 Apr 2026]
#18224
In the context of the 2026 diplomatic efforts, how many clauses were included in the Iranian response to the US peace proposal?
(a) 5 clauses
(b) 10 clauses
(c) 15 clauses
(d) 20 clauses
Explanation: Iranian media reported that Tehran conveyed a 10-clause response to the US proposal, which included demands for the lifting of sanctions and a permanent end to the war. The 5-clause figure refers to an earlier set of conditions proposed by Iran, while the 15-point proposal originated from the US. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990234/pm-shehbaz-cdf-munir-discuss-pakistans-efforts-to-mediate-between-us-and-iran, 09 Apr 2026]
#18225
Consider the following statements about the 2026 visit of the Pakistani CDF to Turkiye: 1. The visit included a meeting with the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces. 2. The discussions focused on regional security dynamics and professional matters. 3. The Turkish President received the CDF at the Istanbul airport. 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 CDF met General Metin Tokel and discussed regional security. Statement 3 is incorrect because the President received the CDF at the Ankara airport, not Istanbul. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2015389/cdf-munir-meets-turkish-president-erdogan-armed-forces-chief-in-ankara-ispr, 14 Jul 2026]
#18226
What is the primary revenue target for the petroleum levy that Pakistan aims to achieve as discussed with the IMF in 2026?
(a) Rs1.2 trillion
(b) Rs1.8 trillion
(c) Rs1.468 trillion
(d) Rs2.1 trillion
Explanation: The government informed the IMF that it is well-positioned to meet the petroleum levy target of Rs1.468 trillion. Other figures are incorrect estimates of the stated fiscal goal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1996451/govt-hikes-petrol-price-by-rs6-diesel-by-rs19, 30 Apr 2026]
#18227
Which political party boycotted the Sindh Assembly session during the presentation of the 2026-27 budget?
(a) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(b) Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan
(c) Jamaat-e-Islami
(d) Grand Democratic Alliance
Explanation: Lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) boycotted the session, citing a lack of prior consultation. Other parties listed were not identified as the primary boycotting group in the assembly session. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2008557/sindh-cm-murad-ali-shah-presents-rs356tr-budget-with-no-new-taxes-7pc-pay-raise, 17 Jun 2026]
#18228
Which of the following statements regarding the July 20, 2026, protest in Delhi is INCORRECT?
(a) The protest was led by the Chief Minister of Indian-occupied Kashmir.
(b) Protesters demanded the restoration of statehood for the region.
(c) The protest was organized to celebrate the success of the 2019 reorganization.
(d) Participants shouted slogans demanding the restoration of rights and dignity.
Explanation: The protest was held to demand the restoration of statehood and criticize the government's failure to fulfill promises, not to celebrate the 2019 reorganization. The other statements accurately reflect the events of the protest. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017041/hundreds-protest-in-delhi-demanding-restoration-of-autonomy-for-occupied-kashmir, 20 Jul 2026]
#18229
Which of the following individuals was NOT reported as being present at the meeting between the Prime Minister and the President on April 14, 2026?
(a) Rana Sanaullah
(b) Bilal Yaseen
(c) Sherry Rehman
(d) Nayyar Bukhari
Explanation: Bilal Yaseen is the Punjab Housing Minister and was not present at the meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr. The other individuals listed were explicitly mentioned as attendees in the official statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991689/pm-takes-president-into-confidence-on-us-iran-talks-briefs-him-on-upcoming-visits-to-saudi-arabia-turkiye, 14 Apr 2026]
#18230
Which federal minister attended the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan on July 21, 2026?
(a) Ahsan Iqbal
(b) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(c) Rana Sanaullah
(d) None of these
Explanation: Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal was present at the meeting alongside the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Economic Affairs. The other individuals listed were not reported as attendees of this specific meeting. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017241/centre-committed-to-working-closely-with-gb-government-pm-tells-cm-amjad-hussain, 21 Jul 2026]
#18231
Which of the following sectors was explicitly cited by the US administration as a reason for the discriminatory treatment leading to the 2026 tariffs?
(a) Aerospace components
(b) Pharmaceutical products
(c) Dairy goods
(d) Textile manufacturing
Explanation: The US administration identified dairy goods, along with alcohol and American-made cars, as sectors subject to discriminatory treatment by Canada, prompting the tariff response. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017209/us-imposes-new-50pc-tariffs-on-20bn-worth-of-canadian-products, 21 Jul 2026]
#18232
All of the following are objectives or focus areas of the Finance Minister's visit to Washington in July 2026 EXCEPT:
(a) Discussing market access for Pakistani exports
(b) Exploring funding for infrastructure and energy projects
(c) Negotiating a broader economic partnership framework
(d) Finalizing a complete debt write-off for Pakistan
Explanation: The visit focused on trade, investment, and economic cooperation, including discussions on tariffs and project financing. There is no mention of a debt write-off, making it the incorrect statement among the options provided. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017217/us-technology-firm-proposes-refinery-modernisation-plan-for-pakistan-in-meeting-with-finance-minister, 21 Jul 2026]
#18233
Which of the following statements regarding the Iran-US talks in April 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The talks in Islamabad lasted for nearly 21 hours.
(b) Iran maintains that its right to enrich uranium is indisputable.
(c) The negotiations in Islamabad resulted in a comprehensive peace agreement.
(d) Messages between Iran and the US have continued to be exchanged through Pakistan.
Explanation: The talks in Islamabad did not yield a breakthrough or a formal agreement, making statement B incorrect. The other statements accurately reflect the reported status of the negotiations and Iran's official stance. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#18234
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. The US President indicated a preference for returning to Pakistan for further negotiations. 2. Iran has stated that the level of uranium enrichment is a negotiable issue. 3. The direct Iran-US talks in Islamabad were the first such engagement between the two nations since 1979. 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 3 is incorrect because the talks were the highest engagement since 1979, not the first. Statements 1 and 2 are factually accurate based on the reported comments from the US President and the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991972/cdf-munir-visits-iran-alongside-delegation-as-part-of-mediation-efforts-holds-meeting-with-fm-araghchi, 15 Apr 2026]
#18235
Dr. Asif Mahmood was elected as the chair of which United States federal body in 2026?
(a) United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
(b) United States Commission on Civil Rights
(c) United States Commission on Human Rights
(d) None of these
Explanation: Dr. Asif Mahmood was elected chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the 2026-27 term. The other options represent different federal commissions that do not focus specifically on the international religious freedom mandate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#18236
What was the intraday high reached by the KSE-100 index on July 21, 2026?
(a) 176,133.56
(b) 177,370.45
(c) 178,370.45
(d) 179,370.45
Explanation: The KSE-100 index reached an intraday high of 178,370.45 points at 10:09am before experiencing profit-taking later in the session. The closing value was 176,133.56 points. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017214/psx-gains-1200-points-during-intraday-trade-as-oil-eases-amid-us-iran-mediation-efforts, 21 Jul 2026]
#18237
Who presided over the three-judge Supreme Court bench that heard the plea on July 21, 2026?
(a) Justice Mansoor Ali Shah
(b) Justice Qazi Faez Isa
(c) Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar
(d) Justice Yahya Afridi
Explanation: The Supreme Court bench that took up the application for the early hearing of the sentence suspension plea was led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The other listed justices were not the presiding officers for this specific bench. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017251/sc-adjourns-hearing-on-imaan-hadis-plea-against-ihc-decision-on-sentence-suspension, 21 Jul 2026]
#18238
What is the primary concern regarding groundwater management in Pakistan as highlighted in the 2026 report?
(a) Unchecked extraction and pollution
(b) Excessive recharge rates
(c) Lack of available drilling technology
(d) Over-regulation of private wells
Explanation: The report notes that aquifers are being depleted faster than they can naturally recharge, a situation worsened by pollution. This combination threatens the long-term sustainability of groundwater supplies. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018921/water-policy, 28 Jul 2026]
#18239
The theme for World Hepatitis Day observed on July 28, 2026, was:
(a) Hepatitis: Let’s break it down
(b) Hepatitis: Time for action
(c) Hepatitis: Zero tolerance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The theme for the 2026 observance was 'Hepatitis: Let’s break it down', which serves as a call to remove barriers to prevention, testing, and treatment. Option D is incorrect because the theme is explicitly stated in the text. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018920/ending-hepatitis, 28 Jul 2026]
#18240
Who was elected as the vice chair of the USCIRF alongside Dr. Asif Mahmood for the 2026-27 term?
(a) CeCe Heil
(b) Hakeem Jeffries
(c) Kamala Harris
(d) None of these
Explanation: The USCIRF announced the unanimous election of Dr. Asif Mahmood as chair and CeCe Heil as vice chair for the 2026-27 term. The other individuals mentioned are political figures not serving in this specific commission role. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]