Pakistan seeks more loans from partners after India’s strikes; later claims X account was 'hacked'

A social media post from the Economic Affairs Division of the Pakistan government on X (previously known as Twitter) appealed on Friday to international partners, including the World Bank, for more loans, citing "heavy losses inflicted by the enemy", following military strikes by India on Wednesday.

However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs later claimed that its X account had been hacked and that the post was not genuine, according to Reuters.

“We are working to have the Twitter (X) switched off,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying. The said tweet has been deleted.

Reuters retracted its initial story, saying, "The story headlined 'Pakistan asks international partners for loans, citing 'heavy losses inflicted by enemy' is wrong and is withdrawn."

"Pakistan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said its X account, which carried the statement cited in the story, had been hacked," it further read.

The tweet comes ahead of a crucial meeting by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington on Friday to decide on the bailout package for Pakistan.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India's executive director at the IMF will present the country’s stance during the global body’s board meeting. "I'm sure that our executive director will put forward India's position," he said at a media briefing.

"The decisions of the board are a different matter...But I think the case with regard to Pakistan should be self-evident to those people who generously open their pockets to bail out this country," he said.

Misri had questioned the effectiveness of previous bailout packages, pointing out that Pakistan has received 24 IMF packages without reaching a successful conclusion. He said board members should reflect carefully and assess the situation before making any decisions.

The IMF board meeting will review Pakistan’s economic progress under its current IMF-supported programme. It will decide on loan disbursements, programme extensions, or policy changes. Pakistan secured $7 billion in bailout funds from the IMF last year and received a $1.3 billion climate resilience loan in March. The IMF is expected to discuss a $1.3 billion loan for Pakistan today.