Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 3, 2026. Since he is the correct individual, 'None of these' is not the correct choice. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004963/rubio-declares-us-operation-against-iran-over-claims-washington-achieved-military-objectives, 03 Jun 2026]
472
Which vital maritime route remains closed according to the testimony provided during the 2026 House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing?
The Strait of Hormuz is identified as the critical maritime route that remains closed, impacting global oil exports. The other straits listed are not the focus of the current conflict described. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004963/rubio-declares-us-operation-against-iran-over-claims-washington-achieved-military-objectives, 03 Jun 2026]
473
Consider the following statements about the 2026 US military operation in Iran:
1. The US Secretary of State declared that all future military actions would be defensive in nature.
2. Representative Sara Jacobs argued that the conflict remains ongoing despite the change in operational status.
3. The administration claimed that Iran has been completely stripped of all drone and maritime combat capabilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 and 2 are correct as they reflect the Secretary's testimony and the lawmaker's critique. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Secretary admitted that Iran still retained some drone and maritime combat capabilities. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2004963/rubio-declares-us-operation-against-iran-over-claims-washington-achieved-military-objectives, 03 Jun 2026]
474
Which of the following individuals was NOT mentioned by Asif Raza Merchant as a potential target in the plot?
Merchant testified that his Iranian contact mentioned three specific targets: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Nikki Haley. Mike Pompeo was not among the individuals identified in the testimony regarding the plot. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979643/pakistani-found-guilty-of-iran-linked-plot-to-kill-trump, 08 Mar 2026]
475
Consider the following statements about the case of Asif Raza Merchant:
1. He was arrested in July 2024 while attempting to leave the United States.
2. He claimed during the trial that he was coerced into the plot to protect his family in Tehran.
3. The conviction was based on charges of transnational terrorism and murder-for-hire.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
All three statements are factually accurate based on the court proceedings and the details provided by prosecutors. Merchant was indeed arrested in July 2024, testified to family coercion, and was convicted on the two specified counts. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979643/pakistani-found-guilty-of-iran-linked-plot-to-kill-trump, 08 Mar 2026]
476
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad in March 2026:
1. The district administration had issued a formal No-Objection Certificate (NoC) for the Aurat March rally.
2. Relatives of the detained activists were also taken into custody when they arrived at the police station.
3. The activists claimed that the right to protest is a fundamental right that supersedes the imposition of Section 144.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect because the district administration did not issue an NoC, which was one of the reasons cited for the arrests. Statements 2 and 3 are accurate reflections of the claims made by the activists and the HRCP. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
477
Consider the following statements about the 2026 protests in India:
1. The protests were exclusively organized by students from Muslim-majority regions.
2. The demonstrators utilized humor and cultural references to challenge the government.
3. The agitation was triggered by concerns over the integrity of the education system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect because the protests involved a diverse social mix, including urban Hindu middle classes. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as the protests were characterized by humor and were driven by grievances regarding the education system. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018933/well-begun-is-half-done, 28 Jul 2026]
478
The Cockroach Janta Party movement emerged as a satirical response to remarks made by which official?
The movement was a response to Chief Justice Surya Kant, who reportedly likened young people to cockroaches and parasites during a court hearing. The movement adopted this label to highlight their grievances. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018741/indias-cockroach-janta-party-demands-release-of-protesters-after-reports-of-detention, 27 Jul 2026]
479
Which group is noted for having successfully campaigned outside Delhi for a year to win the annulment of three laws?
The Sikh farmers' movement is cited as a precedent for successful agitation, having campaigned for a year to force the government to repeal three controversial agricultural laws. This movement is contrasted with the current student-led protests. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018933/well-begun-is-half-done, 28 Jul 2026]
480
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 student protests is INCORRECT?
The protests were not limited to southern states; they were widespread, involving the northern Hindi-speaking belt, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Manipur. Therefore, stating they were limited to the south is factually incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018933/well-begun-is-half-done, 28 Jul 2026]
