Keir Starmer resigned from his position, leading to the appointment of Andy Burnham. Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson are former Prime Ministers, while Nigel Farage is the leader of the Reform UK party. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017007/andy-burnham-becomes-uk-pm-says-britain-needs-to-regain-stability, 20 Jul 2026]
682
Which cabinet minister resigned from the government following the appointment of Andy Burnham?
Rachel Reeves, the finance minister, announced her departure from the government upon the transition of power to Andy Burnham. The other individuals listed were not identified as resigning in the context of this specific leadership change. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017007/andy-burnham-becomes-uk-pm-says-britain-needs-to-regain-stability, 20 Jul 2026]
683
Who is the current President of Lebanon involved in the 2026 ceasefire negotiations?
Joseph Aoun is the Lebanese President who engaged in direct diplomatic discussions with US President Donald Trump to secure the ceasefire. Michel Aoun is a former president, and Najib Mikati is a former prime minister, making them incorrect in the context of the 2026 event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992354/10-day-ceasefire-between-israel-lebanon-takes-effect, 16 Apr 2026]
684
On April 9, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with which official to review Pakistan's mediatory efforts between the US and Iran?
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]
685
According to the Prime Minister, for how many years had the United States and Iran remained in a stalemate prior to the Islamabad talks?
The Prime Minister noted that the two sides had not been ready to engage with each other for 47 years. The Islamabad talks successfully broke this long-standing diplomatic impasse. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991371/after-us-iran-talks-in-islamabad-pm-shehbaz-says-full-efforts-ongoing-to-resolve-conflict, 13 Apr 2026]
686
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in Islamabad:
1. The Prime Minister compared the Islamabad talks to historical peace processes like the Oslo Agreement.
2. The US and Iranian delegations issued a single, joint statement at the conclusion of the talks.
3. The Prime Minister emphasized that national secrets regarding the negotiations would remain confidential.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct as the PM cited historical precedents. Statement 3 is correct as the PM stated he was responsible for keeping national secrets buried. Statement 2 is incorrect because the delegations issued separate, though similar, statements. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991371/after-us-iran-talks-in-islamabad-pm-shehbaz-says-full-efforts-ongoing-to-resolve-conflict, 13 Apr 2026]
687
Who led the Iranian delegation during the peace talks held in Islamabad on April 11, 2026?
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, led the Iranian delegation during the Islamabad talks. The other names listed are prominent Iranian officials but were not the heads of this specific delegation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990743/us-iran-search-for-breakthrough-in-islamabad-as-talks-stretch-into-third-round, 11 Apr 2026]
688
How long did the face-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad last?
The Prime Minister confirmed that the delegations negotiated continuously for 21 hours during the Islamabad talks. This direct dialogue was a historic departure from previous indirect communication methods. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991371/after-us-iran-talks-in-islamabad-pm-shehbaz-says-full-efforts-ongoing-to-resolve-conflict, 13 Apr 2026]
689
Which Pakistani official served as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during the mediation of the US-Iran talks?
Ishaq Dar holds the dual portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan. He played a central role in mediating the negotiations alongside the Chief of Army Staff. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990743/us-iran-search-for-breakthrough-in-islamabad-as-talks-stretch-into-third-round, 11 Apr 2026]
690
The ceasefire brokered between the United States and Iran through Pakistan's mediation is set for a duration of:
The Prime Minister confirmed that the diplomatic efforts resulted in a two-week ceasefire. This duration was agreed upon by the US and Iranian presidents following Pakistan's invitation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1991371/after-us-iran-talks-in-islamabad-pm-shehbaz-says-full-efforts-ongoing-to-resolve-conflict, 13 Apr 2026]
