September 2026 Edition
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September 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#20101
Which critical infrastructure facility in the United Arab Emirates was targeted by drone strikes shortly before the attack on Saudi Arabia in May 2026?
(a) Jebel Ali Port
(b) Barakah nuclear plant
(c) Fujairah oil terminal
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Barakah nuclear plant was the target of drone strikes in the UAE, an event that preceded the attack on Saudi Arabia. The other options are major UAE infrastructure sites but were not the specific targets mentioned in this context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001312/pakistan-condemns-drone-strike-on-saudi-arabia-expresses-solidarity-with-riyadh, 18 May 2026]
#20102
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited which military institution on May 19, 2026?
(a) National Defence University, Islamabad
(b) Air War College, Karachi
(c) Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul
(d) Command and Staff College, Quetta
Explanation: The Prime Minister visited the Command and Staff College in Quetta to address student officers and faculty. This institution is a premier military training facility where he discussed national security and regional stability. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001538/pakistan-a-net-regional-stabiliser-contributing-to-peace-in-the-region-and-beyond-pm-shehbaz, 19 May 2026]
#20103
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between Pakistan and India has been in place for how many years as of 2026?
(a) 66 years
(b) 60 years
(c) 50 years
(d) 70 years
Explanation: The Indus Waters Treaty has been in effect for 66 years. It remains a foundational document for water-sharing between the two nations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001298/india-will-be-relegated-to-history-if-it-attempts-misadventure-against-pakistan, 18 May 2026]
#20104
The joint military strikes conducted by Nigeria and the United States in May 2026 primarily targeted militants in which region of Nigeria?
(a) Northeast
(b) Northwest
(c) South-South
(d) None of these
Explanation: The military operations were concentrated in the northeast, a region that has been the epicenter of the extremist insurgency since 2009. While the northwest has experienced violence from criminal gangs, the specific joint strikes against IS leadership occurred in the northeast. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001567/nigeria-says-joint-strikes-with-us-kill-175-is-fighters, 19 May 2026]
#20105
Consider the following statements about the May 2026 flotilla incident: 1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly supported the actions taken by Itamar Ben Gvir. 2. The activists were attempting to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza. 3. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the video release, stating it caused harm to the state. 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 Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir and ordered the deportation of the activists. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate based on the events described. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001815/monstrous-disgraceful-and-inhumane-israeli-minister-sparks-outcry-over-video-of-bound-flotilla-activists, 20 May 2026]
#20106
Which of the following statements regarding the China-Pakistan meeting on May 25, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) President Xi described the bilateral friendship as unbreakable.
(b) The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People.
(c) The Prime Minister arrived in Beijing directly from Islamabad without any stopovers.
(d) The leaders discussed the concept of a community with a shared future.
Explanation: The statement is incorrect because the Prime Minister made a stop in Hangzhou before reaching Beijing. The other options accurately reflect the details provided in the diplomatic report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002979/chinas-xi-hails-unbreakable-ties-praises-pakistans-role-in-iran-peace-efforts-as-he-meets-pm-shehbaz, 25 May 2026]
#20107
Consider the following statements about Pakistan's diplomatic role in 2026: 1. Pakistan successfully brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran in April 2026. 2. The first round of direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad resulted in a comprehensive peace agreement. 3. The Prime Minister credited the political-military partnership for Pakistan's improved international image. 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 ceasefire was brokered in April 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect because the talks in Islamabad ended without a formal agreement, though they did not result in a breakdown. Statement 3 is correct as the Prime Minister explicitly cited this partnership as the reason for the country's positive image shift. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2000962/pm-shehbaz-credits-political-military-partnership-for-pakistans-recognition-as-us-iran-mediator-changed-image, 17 May 2026]
#20108
Which of the following statements regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz as of May 18, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Shipping traffic has returned to pre-war status following the April ceasefire.
(b) Iran has implemented a system to charge ships for traversing the strait.
(c) The PGSA provides real-time updates on operations within the strait.
(d) Iran has sent formal regulations to ships passing through the waterway.
Explanation: Iran has explicitly stated that maritime traffic would not return to its pre-war status, making the incorrect statement. The other options accurately reflect the current operational changes implemented by Iran. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001272/iran-officially-announces-new-body-to-manage-strait-of-hormuz-top-security-council, 18 May 2026]
#20109
Consider the following statements about the Prime Minister's address on May 19, 2026: 1. The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan's narrative on the diplomatic front was fully vindicated. 2. He called for the Afghan government to take credible actions against terrorist proxies. 3. The Prime Minister announced the immediate withdrawal of troops from the Balochistan border. 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 accurate reflections of the Prime Minister's speech regarding diplomatic vindication and the demand for Afghan action against terrorists. Statement 3 is false, as the Prime Minister actually ordered the deployment of additional forces (Frontier Corps) to the Rakhshan division, not a withdrawal. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001538/pakistan-a-net-regional-stabiliser-contributing-to-peace-in-the-region-and-beyond-pm-shehbaz, 19 May 2026]
#20110
Who serves as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and issued a statement urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint following regional drone attacks in May 2026?
(a) Nawaz Sharif
(b) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(c) Imran Khan
(d) Shehbaz Sharif
Explanation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a public statement on X condemning the attacks and calling for diplomatic solutions. The other individuals listed are prominent political figures but do not hold the office of Prime Minister as of May 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001312/pakistan-condemns-drone-strike-on-saudi-arabia-expresses-solidarity-with-riyadh, 18 May 2026]
#20111
According to the official stance reiterated by Pakistan in May 2026, what is the primary condition for any change in Islamabad's policy toward Israel?
(a) The signing of the Abraham Accords
(b) The establishment of an independent Palestinian state
(c) The conclusion of the war with Iran
(d) The withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East
Explanation: Pakistan maintains that normalization with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The Abraham Accords are the specific agreements Pakistan has declined to join under current conditions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003632/pakistan-firmly-committed-to-stance-on-palestine-israel-dar-answers-question-on-abraham-accords, 29 May 2026]
#20112
Who is the current Defence Minister of Pakistan as of May 18, 2026?
(a) Azam Nazir Tarar
(b) Khawaja Muhammad Asif
(c) Upendra Dwivedi
(d) None of these
Explanation: Khawaja Muhammad Asif is the serving Defence Minister of Pakistan. Azam Nazir Tarar is the Law Minister, and Upendra Dwivedi is the Indian Army Chief. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001298/india-will-be-relegated-to-history-if-it-attempts-misadventure-against-pakistan, 18 May 2026]
#20113
What is the name of the new body established by Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz as of May 18, 2026?
(a) Persian Gulf Strait Authority
(b) Hormuz Maritime Command
(c) Strait Sovereignty Council
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) was announced by Iran's Supreme National Security Council to provide real-time updates and manage traffic. The other options are plausible-sounding distractors but do not represent the official entity. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001272/iran-officially-announces-new-body-to-manage-strait-of-hormuz-top-security-council, 18 May 2026]
#20114
The drone attacks on Saudi Arabia in May 2026 were described by the Pakistani Foreign Office as a violation of which fundamental international principle?
(a) Sovereignty and territorial integrity
(b) Freedom of navigation
(c) Humanitarian intervention protocols
(d) Maritime boundary delimitation
Explanation: The Foreign Office explicitly stated that the attacks constituted a serious violation of the kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This language is standard in diplomatic condemnations regarding cross-border aggression. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001312/pakistan-condemns-drone-strike-on-saudi-arabia-expresses-solidarity-with-riyadh, 18 May 2026]
#20115
The diplomatic engagement between Ishaq Dar and Marco Rubio on May 28, 2026, primarily focuses on reviewing bilateral relations and addressing which regional conflict?
(a) US-China trade war
(b) US-Iran war
(c) Russia-Ukraine conflict
(d) Israel-Palestine conflict
Explanation: The visit is framed within the context of Islamabad's efforts to negotiate a peace pact to end the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran. Other conflicts mentioned in the options are not the primary focus of this specific diplomatic mission. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003563/dar-to-meet-rubio-in-washington-tomorrow-fo, 28 May 2026]
#20116
Consider the following statements about the geopolitical situation in the Strait of Hormuz as of May 2026: 1. The Strait of Hormuz handled approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas traffic prior to the war. 2. President Trump confirmed that the US is currently discussing the easing of sanctions on Iran as part of a peace deal. 3. Ebrahim Azizi stated that Iranian demands include the right to enrich uranium and maintain authority over the strait. 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 2 is incorrect because President Trump explicitly stated that the US was not discussing easing sanctions on Iran. Statements 1 and 3 are factually accurate based on the reported geopolitical context. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003525/us-strikes-iran-drawing-retaliatory-attack-on-american-base-after-trump-dismisses-report-of-hormuz-deal, 28 May 2026]
#20117
Which location in the United Kingdom recorded its highest May temperature on record on May 25, 2026?
(a) Kew Gardens
(b) Heathrow Airport
(c) Greenwich Park
(d) None of these
Explanation: Kew Gardens in southwest London recorded a temperature of 34.8°C, which the Met Office confirmed as the hottest May day on record for the UK. Other locations did not reach this specific record-breaking threshold. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003065/mini-version-of-hell-heat-dome-over-europe-scorches-uk-france-spain, 25 May 2026]
#20118
Who is the Israeli National Security Minister responsible for releasing the controversial video of detained flotilla activists on May 20, 2026?
(a) Benjamin Netanyahu
(b) Gideon Saar
(c) Itamar Ben Gvir
(d) None of these
Explanation: Itamar Ben Gvir is the National Security Minister who posted the footage on his social media account. Benjamin Netanyahu is the Prime Minister, and Gideon Saar is the Foreign Minister, both of whom criticized Ben Gvir's actions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001815/monstrous-disgraceful-and-inhumane-israeli-minister-sparks-outcry-over-video-of-bound-flotilla-activists, 20 May 2026]
#20119
Consider the following statements about the climate situation in Europe as of May 2026: 1. Climate advisers warned that UK infrastructure is built for a climate that no longer exists. 2. The Met Office described the May heat as exceptional even for mid-summer standards. 3. Human-induced climate change is identified as a factor increasing the frequency of such extreme weather events. 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 information. Climate advisers have urged infrastructure adaptation, the Met Office highlighted the exceptional nature of the May heat, and scientists link these events to human-induced climate change. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003065/mini-version-of-hell-heat-dome-over-europe-scorches-uk-france-spain, 25 May 2026]
#20120
Which bowler took a career-best four-wicket haul during the second ODI of the 2026 series?
(a) Matthew Kuhnemann
(b) Nathan Ellis
(c) Adam Zampa
(d) Cameron Green
Explanation: Nathan Ellis recorded a career-best four-wicket haul in the second ODI, which helped Australia level the series at 1-1. Matthew Kuhnemann also performed well in the series but his career-best was 3-38. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2005169/pakistan-upstage-australia-for-2-1-odi-series-win, 04 Jun 2026]