Current Affairs 2024 MCQs With Answers

Iraq and Syria have explored options to revive the historical Banias crude oil pipeline that links Iraq's Kirkuk oil fields to the Syrian port of Banias on the Mediterranean Coast.

Angola announced its departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) effective January 1, 2024, after disputes over production quotas assigned by the bloc.

BRICS invited six countries: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Argentina declined; Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined on 1 January 2024, while Saudi Arabia did not formally confirm its membership. Indonesia joined in January 2025.

IRGC stands for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution to protect the country's Islamic political system.

Henry Kissinger was a prominent German-born American diplomat and political scientist who served as the United States Secretary of State and National Security Advisor under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Japan became the fifth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon when its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down on January 19, 2024, joining the US, USSR, China, and India.

In January 2024, Japan signed a major agreement with the United States government to acquire up to 400 Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to bolster its defense capabilities.

A report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey Health Institute highlighted that closing the gender health gap could add at least $1 trillion annually to global GDP by 2040.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced the EcoMark accreditation framework at the World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in green certification.

Operation Prosperity Guardian, operated under Combined Task Force 153 (CTF-153), is a US-led multinational naval coalition formed to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks.

China launched the Einstein Probe (EP) satellite in January 2024, equipped with X-ray astronomical detectors inspired by lobster eyes, designed to observe energetic transient cosmic events.

Jay Shah of India, a former BCCI secretary, was elected unopposed in August 2024 and took office as ICC Chairman on 1 December 2024, succeeding Greg Barclay. At 36 he became the youngest person to head the ICC.

The UAE signed a landmark strategic partnership agreement with US technology giants to establish the largest artificial intelligence campus outside the United States.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the Foreign Office spokesperson from 2022 to 2025, was appointed Pakistan's Ambassador to France in early 2025.

Sikandar Sultan Raja was appointed Chief Election Commissioner in January 2020 for a five-year term and oversaw the general election of 8 February 2024. The CEC is appointed under Article 213 of the Constitution.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2022-23, the national literacy rate stood at 62.80%, with males at 73.4% and females at 51.9%.

Rizwana Yasmeen has served as a senior goalkeeper and long-time captain of the Pakistan national women's hockey team in international tournaments.

Data from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) indicated that around 56.86 million voters aged 18 to 35 years were registered for the February 2024 General Elections, making up nearly 45% of the electorate.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) confirmed that a total of 17,816 candidates submitted final nomination papers and contested seats across National and Provincial assemblies in the 2024 elections.

Peter Jacob, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice in Lahore, received the International Religious Freedom Award from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2024 for his work for religious minorities in Pakistan.

Exercise Desert Knight was a joint tri-nation air exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force, French Air and Space Force, and UAE Air Force over the Arabian Sea in January 2024.

A report compiled by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) revealed that an estimated 26.2 million children aged 5-16 years are out of school in Pakistan.

Research studies and journalistic surveys published in 2024 highlighted a concerning mental health crisis in Pakistan, estimating that between 15 to 35 individuals take their own lives daily across the country.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Islamabad on 29 January 2024, after the cross-border strikes of that month, to ease tensions and restore diplomatic relations.

He was killed with President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024; Abbas Araghchi later became Iran's Foreign Minister.

The Sindh Cabinet approved the landmark Teaching License Policy in 2023, making Sindh the first province in Pakistan to professionalize teaching through formal licensing.

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul, Turkey, on 16 May 2025, their first direct talks since the Istanbul negotiations of March 2022. They agreed a large prisoner exchange but no ceasefire.

The Torkham border crossing connects Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, serving as a critical commercial and transit hub along the Durand Line.

Syedaal Khan Nasar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan in April 2024.

Host nation Qatar successfully defended their title by defeating Jordan 3-1 in the final of the AFC Asian Cup held in February 2024.

The general elections held in Pakistan on February 8, 2024, marked the 12th General Elections in the country's parliamentary history since independence.

Pakistan hosted the two-day Global Health Security Summit in Islamabad in January 2024, bringing together international health experts, ministers, and delegation heads.

Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 18th Punjab Assembly in February 2024.

Syed Awais Qadir Shah of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was elected as the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in February 2024.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducted General Elections across the country on February 8, 2024, to elect members of the 16th National Assembly and four Provincial Assemblies.

India and Bangladesh initiated trial cargo movements between Maia Port in West Bengal (India) and Sultanganj Port (Bangladesh) to facilitate riverine trade along the Ganges-Padma route.

Saudi Arabia announced the launch of 'Dream of the Desert', a luxury tourist train service traveling through Saudi desert landscapes from Riyadh toward the northern borders.

The 60th edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC 2024) took place at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany.

The 60th Munich Security Conference was convened from February 16 to February 18, 2024, bringing together global policy makers and military leaders.

Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024, in the IK-3 penal colony in Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia.

Hungary's parliament approved Sweden's NATO accession bid in late February 2024, clearing the final obstacle for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the NATO military alliance.

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) took place from February 26 to March 2, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Rana Sikandar Hayat took oath as the Provincial Minister for School Education in the Punjab Cabinet formed under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in March 2024.

Hibatullah Akhundzada has led the Taliban since May 2016 and became Supreme Leader of Afghanistan when the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, holding the final political, military and religious authority.

Abdul Ghani Baradar is a Deputy Prime Minister, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an Afghan cricketer.

Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans in the final of PSL 9 on March 18, 2024, securing their 3rd Pakistan Super League title (previously winning in 2016 and 2018).

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was elected as the 22nd Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan on March 1, 2024, securing 199 votes in the voting process.

The 19th World Athletics Indoor Championships was hosted at the Commonwealth Arena in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from March 1 to March 3, 2024.

Emma Stone won the Best Actress award at the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024 for her role as Bella Baxter in the movie 'Poor Things'.

A total of 6 franchises competed in the 9th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9) in 2024: Islamabad United, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalandars, and Karachi Kings.

The 96th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, on March 10, 2024.

'Oppenheimer', directed by Christopher Nolan, won the Best Picture award at the 96th Academy Awards (Oscars) held in March 2024.

'Oppenheimer' led the 96th Academy Awards with 13 nominations and ultimately won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

Asif Ali Zardari was elected as the 14th President of Pakistan for his second term on March 9, 2024, after securing 411 electoral votes from Parliament and Provincial Assemblies.

The 71st edition of the Miss World pageant was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India, on March 9, 2024.

Emma Stone won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Yorgos Lanthimos's surreal comedy-drama film 'Poor Things'.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy won the Best Actor award at the 96th Academy Awards for portraying J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's biographical film 'Oppenheimer'.

Asif Ali Zardari was officially sworn in as the 14th President of Pakistan on March 10, 2024, taking over office after the completion of Arif Alvi's term.

The 96th edition of the Academy Awards honoring films released in 2023 took place on March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

American comedian and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards ceremony for the fourth time during the 96th Oscars in March 2024.

India successfully conducted the first flight test of its domestically developed Agni-5 missile integrated with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology under 'Mission Divyastra' in March 2024.

Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World at the 71st Miss World pageant (Miss World 2023), held in Mumbai, India, on 9 March 2024.

Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan on March 3, 2024, after securing 201 votes in the 336-member National Assembly.

Iran launched its remote sensing and imaging satellite named 'Pars 1' into orbit from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket in February/March 2024.

In March 2024, US President Joe Biden announced during his State of the Union address that the US military would construct a emergency floating pier and port off Gaza to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

France made history in March 2024 by becoming the world's first country to explicitly incorporate guaranteed freedom to have an abortion into its constitution.

Javier Milei, a libertarian economist, won the run-off election of November 2023 and took office on 10 December 2023, succeeding Alberto Fernández.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in February 2024 that Russian scientists were close to creating therapeutic vaccines for cancer and immunomodulatory drugs.

Punjab Culture Day (Channab Day) is celebrated annually across Punjab, Pakistan, on March 14 to showcase Punjabi heritage, poetry, language, and traditional attire.

Russia and China announced plans in early 2024 to collaborate on building an automated nuclear power plant on the Moon between 2033 and 2035 to supply energy for lunar bases.

The United Nations officially designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia following a resolution introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC.

Sweden officially joined NATO as its 32nd member state on March 7, 2024, ending over two centuries of military non-alignment following Hungary's ratification.

The final match of PSL Season 9 took place on March 18, 2024, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans.

Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize, widely considered the highest honor in international architecture.

The 8th Russian presidential election was conducted over three days from March 15 to 17, 2024, in which Vladimir Putin won another six-year term.

French mathematician Michel Talagrand was awarded the 2024 Abel Prize by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters for his contributions to probability theory and stochastic processes.

Rawan Dweik, a Jordanian woman born with Down syndrome, achieved national and international acclaim by memorizing the entire Holy Quran.

Vladimir Putin won the Russian presidential election in March 2024 to secure his 5th term as President of the Russian Federation.

The 13th edition of the African Games was held in Accra, Ghana, in March 2024.

Alfred Grannas served as Germany's Ambassador to Pakistan in Islamabad in 2024. Ina Lepel later took over as ambassador in 2025.

The Global Terrorism Index 2024, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, gave Azerbaijan a score of zero, meaning no measurable impact of terrorism; many other countries also scored zero.

Pakistan, Russia and India all recorded terrorism impacts; Pakistan was among the ten most affected countries.

Luxembourg consistently tops global economic surveys, including the Global Wealth and GDP per capita rankings, as the world's richest country by per capita income.

Passand Khan Buledi served as the Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), overseeing port infrastructure and commercial development.

Anthony Naveed of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in February 2024.

Abdul Khaliq Achakzai of the PML-N was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan in March 2024.

On March 22, 2024, a mass terrorist attack occurred at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, Russia, resulting in substantial casualties.

Suraya Bibi, representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)/Sunni Ittehad Council, was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in February 2024.

Syed Awais Qadir Shah was elected as the 12th Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in February 2024.

Mansoor Usman Awan served as Attorney General for Pakistan in 2024. The Attorney General is the federal government's chief law officer, appointed by the President under Article 100 of the Constitution.

Babar Saleem Swati was elected as the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly in February 2024.

Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah of the PPP was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan on March 1, 2024.

Ghazala Gola of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was elected unopposed as the first female Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan in March 2024.

Erin Holland, a prominent Australian television presenter, singer, and former Miss World Australia, has been a regular presenter and commentator in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), including PSL 9.

Catherine Dalton made history in October 2023 when Multan Sultans appointed her as their fast bowling coach for PSL 9, making her the first female fast-bowling coach in PSL history.

Former World Cup-winning English spinner Alex Hartley was appointed as the spin bowling coach by Multan Sultans for PSL 9, becoming the first female spin bowling coach in PSL history.

Multan Sultans broke ground in PSL 9 by appointing female coaches, including Catherine Dalton as fast-bowling coach and Alex Hartley as spin-bowling coach, alongside Hijab Zahid as General Manager.

The Pakistan Army conducted 'Shamsheer-e-Sehra', a major field training exercise in the Rahim Yar Khan desert, to validate operational readiness and tactical maneuvers.

Asif Ali Zardari secured 411 electoral votes (from both houses of Parliament and all four provincial assemblies) to defeat opposition candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who received 181 votes.

Shazia Syed (Unilever Executive Vice President) and Shaista Asif (Co-Founder and CEO of PureHealth) were featured on Forbes' list of the '100 Most Powerful Businesswomen in the Middle East 2024'.

Multan Sultans finished as the runner-up of PSL 9 after losing a thrilling final to Islamabad United by 2 wickets on March 18, 2024, at National Bank Stadium, Karachi.

Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam ended PSL 9 as the highest run-scorer with 569 runs in 11 matches, earning the Hanif Mohammad Green Cap.

Imad Wasim was named Man of the Match in the PSL 9 final for his exceptional all-round performance, taking 5 wickets for 19 runs and scoring a crucial 19* off 17 balls.

Shadab Khan, captain of Islamabad United, was awarded Player of the Tournament in PSL 9 for his 305 runs and 14 wickets throughout the competition.

Babar Azam scored a total of 569 runs across 11 innings in PSL 9 at an average of 56.90 and a strike rate of 142.60.

Multan Sultans leg-spinner Usama Mir took 24 wickets in PSL 9 (2024), the most in a single PSL season at that time, and won the Fazal Mahmood Maroon Cap.

Saim Ayub of Peshawar Zalmi struck 21 sixes during PSL 9, making him the batsman with the highest number of sixes in the tournament.

Irfan Khan Niazi of Karachi Kings was named the Best Fielder of PSL 9 as well as the Emerging Player of the Tournament.

The final match of PSL 9 was played on March 18, 2024, at the National Bank Stadium (formerly National Stadium) in Karachi.

Bakht Muhammad Kakar took oath as the Provincial Minister for Health in the Balochistan Cabinet formed under Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti in March 2024.

Multan Sultans lost three consecutive PSL finals in a row: 2022 (to Lahore Qalandars), 2023 (to Lahore Qalandars), and 2024 (to Islamabad United).

Hadiqa Bashir, a youth activist from Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, received the Global Citizen Youth Leader Award for her anti-child marriage advocacy and promotion of girls' education.

The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) organized an international conference on 'Pakistan in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape' in March 2024.

Engineer Amir Muqam was assigned the portfolio of Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) alongside National Heritage and Culture in the cabinet sworn in March 2024.

Justice Muhammad Ejaz Swati took oath as the Acting Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court following the elevation of Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in March 2024.

In the federal cabinet sworn in in March 2024, Mohsin Naqvi was made Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control.

Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar was appointed as the Provincial Minister for Food in the Balochistan Provincial Cabinet in March 2024.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz launched the 'Roshan Gharana Programme' to distribute free/subsidized solar systems to consumers using up to 100 or 500 units of electricity.

Shan Masood was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan national cricket team in Test cricket by the PCB in November 2023.

The 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was scheduled for Yaounde, Cameroon.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed globally every year on April 2 to raise awareness about people with autism spectrum disorder.

Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the candidate backed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC/PTI), secured 181 electoral votes in the Presidential Election held on March 9, 2024.

Saudi Arabia unveiled the world's first 3D-printed mosque, named Al-Aziziyah Mosque, spanning 5,600 square meters in Al-Jawhara suburb of Jeddah in March 2024.

Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi was sworn in on April 2, 2024, for his third six-year term as President of Egypt, which runs until 2030.

Scientists discovered 'Noctis Volcano', a massive 29,600-foot volcano near Mars' equator, in the Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus region.

The 3rd Summit for Democracy, hosted by South Korea under the theme 'Democracy for Future Generations', was held in Seoul from March 18 to 20, 2024.

Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi officially began his third 6-year presidential term as President of Egypt on April 2, 2024.

The theme for World Cancer Day (observed February 4) for the 2022–2024 campaign cycle was 'Close the Care Gap'.

Juan Vicente Perez Mora of Venezuela, verified as the world's oldest living man by Guinness World Records, died on April 2, 2024, at the age of 114.

The 50th G7 summit was hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Borgo Egnazia, Apulia, Italy, from June 13 to 15, 2024.

Elections for 30 vacant seats of the Senate of Pakistan were conducted by the ECP on April 2, 2024.

Uganda hosted the 3rd South Summit in Kampala and assumed the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77 + China) for the year 2024.

The 19th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit will take place on November 18–19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marked the 75th anniversary of the signing of its founding Washington Treaty on April 4, 2024.

Following the partial accession of Bulgaria and Romania on March 31, 2024, the Schengen border-free area expanded to 29 member countries.

Incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the Russian presidential election held in March 2024, securing over 87% of the vote.

NATO commemorated its 75th birth anniversary on April 4, 2024, having been established on April 4, 1949.

Exercise 'SADA TANSEEQ' was the inaugural joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces, held in Rajasthan, India, in early 2024.

The 11th edition of the joint special forces exercise 'Khanjar' was conducted between India and Kyrgyzstan in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Bangladesh opened its first dedicated mosque and Islamic learning centre for transgender people (Hijra community) in the North Bishil neighborhood of Dhaka.

The World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024 was hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from February 12 to 14, 2024.

The annual World Governments Summit 2024 in Dubai operated under the overarching theme of 'Shaping Future Governments'.

The theme for World Autism Awareness Day (April 2, 2024) was 'Empowering Autistic Voices' to foster self-advocacy and inclusive society.

Judith Suminwa Tuluka was appointed as the first female Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by President Felix Tshisekedi in April 2024.

The 16th annual BRICS Summit 2024 was hosted in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024, under Russia's chairmanship.

Indian scientists from physical research laboratories detected chemical signatures of ozone on Callisto, Jupiter's second-largest moon.

The 2024 European Weightlifting Championships were held in Sofia, Bulgaria, from February 12 to 20, 2024.

World Maritime Day 2024 was celebrated with the theme 'Navigating the future: safety first!', focusing on maritime safety and environmental protection.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is an informal strategic forum comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was elected unopposed and took oath as Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan on April 9, 2024.

Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, verified by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living man at age 114, was from Venezuela.

The Kazakhstan International Challenge 2024 is a high-profile international badminton tournament hosted under the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Iran's missile and drone attack on April 13, 2024, inflicted minor structural damage on two Israeli military installations: Nevatim Airbase and Ramon Airbase.

Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles against Israel on the night of 13 April 2024, in response to the Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on 1 April 2024. Most were intercepted.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a poxvirus infectious disease that primarily infects cattle and water buffaloes.

Pakistan won the DICC Deaf T20 World Cup 2024 in Sharjah, UAE, defeating Sri Lanka in the final match.

The theme chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) for World Health Day (April 7, 2024) was 'My Health, My Right'.

The UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4, 2024) carried the theme 'Protecting Lives, Building Peace'.

World Water Day (March 22, 2024) was commemorated under the official theme 'Leveraging Water for Peace'.

Simon Harris took office in April 2024 as the 15th Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland at the age of 37, becoming the youngest leader in Irish history.

Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' was the inaugural joint military exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces in Rajasthan, India.

The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit was held in Kampala, Uganda, in January 2024 under the theme 'Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence'.

Iran targeted military facilities in the occupied Golan Heights and the Arad region during its retaliatory strikes on April 13–14, 2024.

India's 18th Lok Sabha General Elections were conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, 2024.

Iran officially codenamed its military retaliation against Israel on April 13, 2024, as 'Operation True Promise' (Wa'ad al-Sadiq).

Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024 for documenting the Gaza conflict.

According to Russia's Central Election Commission, Vladimir Putin won about 87.3% (87.28%) of the vote in the presidential election of 15–17 March 2024, securing a fifth term as President.

The headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) is situated at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, Haryana, India.

The I2U2 Group is a joint initiative formed by India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (USA).

Brazil held the Presidency of the G20 for 2024, culminating in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024.

Following unprecedented historic rainfall in April 2024, the UAE government allocated 2 billion AED ($544 million) to repair damaged homes of citizens.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, has been Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE since 2006.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was President until his death in 2022, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan became a Vice President in 2023.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari was officially recognized as the First Lady of Pakistan following her father Asif Ali Zardari's inauguration as President in March 2024.

To date, no female leader has held the position of President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Pakistan's first wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case of 2024 was reported from Dera Bugti district in Balochistan in February 2024.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora made history as the first Sikh cabinet minister in Punjab Province, taking oath as Minister for Minority Affairs in March 2024.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora hails from Narowal district in Punjab, Pakistan.

The 11th edition of the Joint Special Forces exercise 'Khanjar' was held between India and Kyrgyzstan at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, HP.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi undertook an official three-day state visit to Pakistan starting on April 22, 2024.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar became the longest-serving Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, holding office from August 14, 2023, to March 4, 2024 (over 200 days).

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was executed on 4 April 1979, so 4 April 2024 marked his 45th death anniversary, observed by the PPP as a martyrdom anniversary.

Arshad Ayub Khan took oath as the Provincial Minister for Local Government, Elections and Rural Development in the KPK Cabinet in March 2024.

The 2024 Deaf T20 World Cup organised by DICC was hosted at the Vision Cricket Center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Dr Musadik Masood Malik was given the Petroleum portfolio in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet in March 2024, while the Power Division went to Sardar Awais Leghari.

Azam Nazeer Tarar of the PML-N was made Federal Minister for Law and Justice in the federal cabinet sworn in in March 2024.

Ahad Khan Cheema was appointed as the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment in March 2024 following the formation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. He previously served as a senior bureaucrat and SAPM.

Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari was given the portfolio of Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) in the federal cabinet formed in 2024, with responsibility for power sector reforms.

Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani was appointed as the Provincial Minister for School Education in Balochistan in April 2024 during the cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

Mir Muhammad Asim Kurd Gello took charge as the Provincial Minister for Revenue in Balochistan in April 2024 as part of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti's provincial cabinet.

Ali Madad Jattak, a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was sworn in as the Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Balochistan in April 2024.

Sardar Muhammad Sadiq Khan Umrani assumed office as the Provincial Minister for Irrigation in Balochistan in April 2024 under the coalition government of PPP and PML-N in the province.

Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi was inducted into the Balochistan cabinet in April 2024 as the Minister for Planning and Development Department to oversee development projects.

Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, a senior PML-N leader, was appointed as the Federal Minister for Housing and Works in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet in March 2024.

Mir Shoaib Nosherwani was sworn in as the Provincial Minister of Finance in Balochistan in April 2024, tasked with overseeing the provincial budget and fiscal policy.

Abdul Aleem Khan, serving as the Federal Minister for Privatization and Board of Investment, was appointed to head the Board of Investment (BOI) in April 2024 to boost foreign direct investment.

Ambassador Asif Durrani was appointed Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan in May 2023 to handle diplomatic, security and trade engagement with Kabul. He was later succeeded by Mohammad Sadiq Khan.

Muhammad Hanif Abbasi of the PML-N was made Federal Minister for Railways when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expanded his cabinet in March 2025.

Rehmat Ali Hasnie was appointed as the President and CEO of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) by the Federal Cabinet, succeeding previous leadership to manage the state-owned commercial bank.

Dost Muhammad Rahimoon took oath as the Provincial Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development in Sindh under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah's cabinet in April 2024.

Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, stated at an international conference in April 2024 that Pakistan lost over 80,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion in the War on Terror over two decades.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh was appointed as the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs in March 2024 under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, handling ports, shipping, and maritime trade.

Attaullah Tarar of the PML-N became Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet in March 2024.

Muhammad Ajmal Gondal assumed office as the 20th Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) in September 2021 for a constitutional four-year term to oversee public sector financial auditing.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan on April 28, 2024, granting him additional executive responsibilities across ministries.

Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, head of the MQM-P, was assigned the portfolio of Federal Minister for Science and Technology alongside Federal Minister for Education in May 2024.

Rana Tanveer Hussain of the PML-N held the Industries and Production portfolio in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet in 2024.

Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui serves as the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training in the federal cabinet sworn in after the 2024 general elections.

Humza Yousaf announced his resignation as First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader on 29 April 2024, ahead of two no-confidence votes, after he ended the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. He was succeeded by John Swinney.

Simon Harris became Taoiseach in April 2024 at the age of 37, the youngest in Irish history. He was succeeded by Micheál Martin in January 2025.

The 15th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was hosted in Banjul, Gambia, on May 4–5, 2024, focusing on unity, sustainable development, and global issues like Palestine.

Sri Lanka finished as the runner-up in the DICC Deaf T20 World Cup 2024 held in Sharjah, UAE, after Pakistan defeated them in the final.

Turkiye announced in May 2024 that it was formally joining South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

President Gustavo Petro of Colombia officially cut diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 over its military campaign in Gaza, citing humanitarian violations.

The joint bilateral naval exercise 'Inspired Union 2024' between the Pakistan Navy and the United States Navy was conducted in Karachi in May 2024 to enhance maritime security cooperation.

Vladimir Putin was officially sworn in for his fifth term as the President of the Russian Federation on May 7, 2024, following his victory in the March 2024 elections.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is an annual men's international field hockey tournament held in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Pakistan was ranked 23rd out of 194 countries in the 2024 INFORM Risk Index, highlighting high vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change hazards.

The Israeli government voted unanimously in May 2024 to ban the Qatari news network Al Jazeera from broadcasting in Israel and shut down its local operations.

The 30th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup field hockey tournament was hosted by Malaysia in May 2024 at Ipoh.

The final match of the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament was played on May 11, 2024, between Pakistan and Japan.

The final match of the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was played at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

The final match of the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was contested between Pakistan and Japan on May 11, 2024, ending 2-2 in regulation before going to a shootout.

Japan won the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time by defeating Pakistan 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regular time.

Pakistan finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, earning their first silver medal in the tournament since 2011 after a tight final against Japan.

Rick Slayman, 62, the world's first living recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, passed away on May 11, 2024, nearly two months after the landmark surgery.

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly with 143 countries in favor of a resolution granting Palestine new rights and supporting its full membership qualification in the United Nations on May 10, 2024.

The 5th Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing from May 13–16, 2024, co-chaired by Deputy PM/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Andrei Belousov, an economist and former Deputy Prime Minister, was appointed by President Vladimir Putin as Russia's new Defence Minister in May 2024, replacing Sergei Shoigu.

The 16th BRICS Summit was hosted by Russia in Kazan in October 2024, marking the first summit following the expansion of the BRICS bloc.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir, the first traditional stone-built Hindu temple in the Middle East, was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi in February 2024. Dubai already had smaller Hindu temples, the oldest dating from 1958.

The 75th Anniversary NATO Summit 2024 was hosted in Washington D.C., United States, from July 9 to 11, 2024.

The World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition 2024 was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in May 2024, focusing on global green energy transitions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Eisenhower Park, Long Island, New York, was officially opened on May 15, 2024, ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

India signed a 10-year bilateral long-term contract with Iran in May 2024 to equip and operate the strategic Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port.

Sardar Saleem Haider Khan took oath as the 39th Governor of Punjab on May 10, 2024, administered by Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan.

India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement in May 2024 enabling India's IPGL to manage and develop operations at Chabahar Port.

The newly constructed modular venue in New York is named the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan hosted the Central Asian Volleyball Championship (CAVA Nation's League) 2024 at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad in May 2024.

Abdul Jabbar assumed charge as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in 2024.

Allama Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi was appointed as the Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) by the President of Pakistan in May 2024.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on May 19, 2024, for an official two-day visit to discuss bilateral relations and strategic cooperation.

Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, visited Pakistan on May 19–20, 2024, holding delegation-level talks in Islamabad.

Peshawar City Traffic Police launched the specialized 'Chips Rider Squad' in May 2024 to tackle traffic bottlenecks across the provincial capital.

Hassan Zaigham serves as Pakistan's Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek.

Pakistan's national volleyball team won the Central Asian Volleyball Championship 2024 title by defeating Turkmenistan 3-1 in the final at Islamabad.

Saudi Arabia held its historic first fashion show featuring swimsuit models on May 17, 2024, during Red Sea Fashion Week at St. Regis Red Sea Resort.

The Red Sea Fashion Week event in May 2024 made international headlines as Saudi Arabia's first runway show showcasing swimsuit designs.

Jiang Zaidong serves as the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Pakistan, having presented his credentials in late 2023.

The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival was hosted in Cannes, France, from May 14 to May 25, 2024.

French actress Camille Cottin served as the master of ceremonies for the opening and closing events of the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.

American filmmaker Greta Gerwig served as the Jury President for the main competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024.

The prestigious Cannes Film Festival and its awards ceremony are hosted annually in Cannes, France.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the 2024 Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal at the Federation Cup 2024 with a winning throw distance of 82.27 meters.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming May 25 as World Football Day to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Olympic football tournament.

The official theme for International Nurses Day 2024 (May 12) was 'Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.'

The United Nations officially declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids to highlight the economic and cultural importance of camelids globally.

Saudi Arabia served as the global host for World Environment Day 2024 on June 5, focusing on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.

The official theme for World Food Safety Day 2024 (June 7) was 'Food safety: prepare for the unexpected'.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan province, on May 19, 2024.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan province near the Azerbaijan border on May 19, 2024.

Anmol Rai was crowned 'Miss Pink Nepal 2024', a beauty pageant celebrating transgender women in Nepal.

Surgeon General Lt Gen Nigar Johar was honored with the 'Bint-e-Hawa' achievement award in 2024 for her pioneering services in military health.

According to the National Accounts Committee (NAC), Pakistan's investment-to-GDP ratio fell to about 13.1% in FY2023-24, its lowest level in about 50 years.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the allocation of $10 billion for investment in promising economic sectors in Pakistan in May 2024.

Imran Khan served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 until April 2022.

Nepal became the first country in South Asia to legally register same-sex marriage in late 2023 / early 2024.

The final match of the Central Asian Volleyball Championship 2024 was played on May 17, 2024, at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the 10-year 'Blue Residency' visa in May 2024 to recognize supporters of environmental protection and climate action.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 was co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to June 29, 2024 (hence Option D 'None of these' is correct).

A total of 20 national teams competed in the expanded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 tournament.

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a formal two-day state visit to China in May 2024 for strategic summit talks with President Xi Jinping.

Mohammad Rasoulof is an acclaimed Iranian independent filmmaker whose film 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' won a special award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

According to the UNODC World Wildlife Crime Report 2024, rhinoceroses remain among the most severely impacted species due to persistent illegal horn trade and poaching.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died along with President Ebrahim Raisi in the helicopter crash in May 2024.

The helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in the mountainous Dizmar forest region in the Varzaqan county of East Azerbaijan province.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan paid a two-day official visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, starting May 19, 2024.

Hours before his death on May 19, 2024, President Ebrahim Raisi visited Azerbaijan to inaugurate the Qiz Qalasi Dam alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Before winning the presidency in 2021, Ebrahim Raisi served as the Chief Justice of Iran from March 2019 to July 2021.

The UK-commissioned Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, led by Jim O'Neill (2014–16), estimated that drug-resistant infections kill about 700,000 people a year worldwide and could cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050.

A later Lancet study (2022) put deaths directly caused by AMR at about 1.27 million in 2019. Pakistan has a high AMR burden, including the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid outbreak in Sindh that began in 2016.

Engr Amir Muqam held the National Heritage and Culture portfolio, along with SAFRON, in the federal cabinet sworn in in March 2024.

The general elections held in February 2024 constituted the 16th National Assembly of Pakistan.

Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) serves as the Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) of Pakistan.

Pakistan launched its inaugural lunar orbiter satellite, 'iCube-Qamar' (iCube-Q), aboard China's Chang'e-6 mission in May 2024.

Former Olympian Tahir Zaman was appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan national men's hockey team in 2024.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared 5 days of national public mourning following the tragic loss of President Raisi and his delegation.

South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled on May 20, 2024, that former President Jacob Zuma was disqualified from standing for parliament in the general election.

SAARC Secretary-General Md. Golam Sarwar paid an official visit to Pakistan from May 20 to May 24, 2024.

The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 on 20 May 2024 to regulate defamatory content, including online content; it was later signed into law in June 2024.

The Ofnet Caves are located near Nördlingen in Bavaria, Germany, where 33 prehistoric human skulls dating to the Mesolithic era were discovered in 1908.

France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a strategic agreement during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's state visit to cooperate on AI technologies.

Ali Bagheri Kani was appointed as Iran's acting Foreign Minister in May 2024 following the tragic death of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

According to Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, if a president dies in office, the First Vice President assumes duties with the approval of the Supreme Leader.

The 19th Meeting of the Presidents/Chairs of Supreme Courts of SCO Member States was held from May 22 to 24, 2024.

The 19th Meeting of the Chairs of Supreme Courts of SCO Member States was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Kami Rita Sherpa, famously known as the 'Everest Man', is a legendary high-altitude Sherpa guide from Nepal.

54-year-old Kami Rita Sherpa extended his own world record by scaling Mount Everest for the 30th time in May 2024.

Norway, Ireland, and Spain jointly announced on May 22, 2024, their formal recognition of a Palestinian state effective May 28, 2024.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a binding order on May 24, 2024, directing Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah, Palestine.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 was co-hosted across venues in the United States and the West Indies.

Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), five states are legally recognized as Nuclear-Weapon States: USA, Russia, UK, France, and China.

The IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) 2024 was held at IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, in May 2024.

Emmanuel Macron's trip in May 2024 was the first official state visit by a French President to Germany in 24 years (since François Mitterrand in 2000).

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024 by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

North Korea's attempt to launch its new military reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1-1 failed when the rocket exploded in mid-air on May 27, 2024.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal made landfall near the Bangladesh and West Bengal coastline on May 26, 2024, causing heavy tidal surges.

Sébastien Delogu, a member of the French National Assembly, was suspended for 15 days after waving a Palestinian flag in parliament on May 28, 2024.

Vermont enacted the Climate Superfund Act on May 30, 2024, becoming the first US state to hold major fossil fuel companies financially liable for climate damages.

The World Health Organization designated 'Protecting children from tobacco industry interference' as the official theme for World No-Tobacco Day 2024 (May 31).

The 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) 2024 was hosted in Beijing, China.

The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) 2024 ministerial conference took place on May 29–30, 2024, in Beijing.

The 10th Ministerial Conference of the CASCF 2024 concluded with the adoption of the 'Beijing Declaration' strengthening China-Arab partnership.

Pakistan's overall exports to European Union countries dropped by 6.27% during the first nine months of the financial year 2023–24.

Pakistan finished as runners-up after losing 1-4 to Japan in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Pakistan has won the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament three times in its history (1999, 2000, and 2003).

Data from 'Dubai Unlocked' (May 2024) revealed that Pakistani individuals own offshore properties estimated at approximately USD 11 to 12.5 billion in Dubai.

Pakistan defeated Turkmenistan 3-1 in the final match to win the 2024 CAVA Volleyball Championship at the Pakistan Sports Complex.

South Africa submitted a formal request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on June 1, 2024, seeking additional provisional measures against Israel regarding the Rafah offensive.

Claudia Sheinbaum achieved a historic victory in Mexico's general election on June 2, 2024, becoming the first female President in the nation's 200-year history.

Claudia Sheinbaum, elected as Mexico's first female president in June 2024, is a climate scientist and former Mayor of Mexico City.

The 2024 Indian general election was held in 7 phases from April 19 to June 1, 2024, to elect all 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Elections for the 18th Lok Sabha of India concluded in June 2024, leading to the formation of the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term.

The 50th G7 Summit took place in Fasano, Apulia, Italy, from June 13 to June 15, 2024.

Narendra Modi took the oath of office as Prime Minister of India for a historic third consecutive term on June 9, 2024.

Slovenia's parliament voted overwhelmingly on June 4, 2024, to officially recognize the State of Palestine, following similar moves by Spain, Norway, and Ireland.

World Environment Day is observed globally every year on June 5. The 2024 theme focused on 'Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience'.

Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar were named co-recipients of the prestigious 2024 IPI India Award for Excellence in Journalism.

UN Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on June 10, 2024, backed a three-phase ceasefire proposal to end the war in Gaza.

D-8 (Developing-8) Foreign Ministers held an extraordinary council meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 8, 2024, to discuss the crisis in Gaza.

Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second full term as President of South Africa by parliament following coalition talks in June 2024.

The 2024 European Parliament elections were held across all 27 EU member states from June 6 to June 9, 2024.

A historic peace summit for Ukraine was hosted at the Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland on June 15–16, 2024.

Mark Rutte, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, was officially appointed as the next Secretary General of NATO in June 2024.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2735 on June 10, 2024, with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining.