A Controversial Post Sparks Global Attention, Pakistan Claims X Account Was Hacked

On the eve of a crucial International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting, Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division made headlines with a now-deleted post from its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The message publicly appealed to international partners for emergency financial assistance, citing “heavy losses inflicted by the enemy” — a veiled reference to India’s Operation Sindoor. The post urged global lenders to provide more loans to stabilize Pakistan’s economy amid ongoing conflict and a stock market crash.

“Account Hacked,” Says Pakistan After Backlash

Following widespread backlash and online trolling — including responses from India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) — Pakistan quickly reversed its position. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s official fact-checking wing claimed the X account was “hacked” and labeled the loan-seeking post as “fake news.” The Ministry of Economic Affairs also issued a statement claiming no such appeal was made, adding that they were working to disable the compromised account.

IMF Decision Crucial for Pakistan’s Fragile Economy

The timing of the controversial post is critical, as Pakistan is set to meet with the IMF on May 9 to secure a $1.3 billion loan under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. This funding is essential for Pakistan, whose foreign exchange reserves have dropped to $15 billion. The loan is part of a larger strategy to prevent economic collapse amid escalating internal and external pressures. If approved, this would be the latest in a series of IMF bailouts provided to Pakistan over the last decade.

India Responds: Questions IMF Aid Use

India has not remained silent. Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra expressed concerns that IMF funds granted to Pakistan could indirectly support its military intelligence operations, including activities of UN-sanctioned terror groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He emphasized that such financial assistance risks fueling cross-border terrorism, particularly against India, referencing Pakistan’s track record as a haven for global terrorist organizations.

Economic Gap Widens Between India and Pakistan

The controversy has drawn further attention to the stark economic contrast between the two countries. While Pakistan’s GDP stands at approximately $0.37 trillion, India’s has soared to around USD 3.88 trillion, making it the fastest-growing major economy. India is projected to overtake Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2025, while Pakistan continues to rely on foreign loans to stay afloat.