India-Pakistan War: Hit hard by Indian retaliation, Pakistan is facing a financial crunch and is all set to negotiate fresh loan deal with the International Monetary Fund. Amid this crisis, a post from the Economic Affairs Division, Government of Pakistan, has gone viral on social media in which it urged the international community to offer more loans to recover from the damages inflicted by India. The X post urged the global community to help de-escalate the situation. However, now the Fact Checking unit of the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government has claimed that the post is fake as it was made from the hacked account.
“Govt of Pakistan appeals to International Partners for more loans after heavy losses inflicted by enemy. Amid escalating war and stocks crash, we urge international partners to help de-escalate. Nation urged to remain steadfast,” it said.
Govt of Pakistan appeals to International Partners for more loans after heavy losses inflected by enemy. Amid escalating war and stocks crash, we urge international partners to help de-escalate. Nation urged to remain steadfast. @Worldbank #Inddiapakistanwar #PakistanZindabad
— Economic Affairs Division, Government of Pakistan (@eadgop) May 9, 2025
Cash-strapped Pakistan is already pleading before the International Monetary Fund for loan to run its country and still opted to wage a war against India by staging the Pahalgam terror attack, termed as ‘real provocation’ by New Delhi. Pakistan is now facing a financial crunch as it has been forced to shift development and other funds to meet the requirements of its army.
Pakistan’s economy is in the doldrrums. Pakistan’s outstanding debt to the IMF was approximately USD 8.8 billion. Pakistan is the fourth-largest debtor to the IMF. The weak sentiments are also reflected in stock market indices. Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index has lost over 7,500 points, or 6% since April 23. On Monday, Moodys’ warned that sustained escalation in tension with India could hurt Pakistan’s growth, impact its fiscal consolidation and macroeconomic stability.
On May 7, India carried out ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting 9 terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. India maintained that the precision strikes did not target military installations and were non-escalatory in nature.
However, Pakistan tried to bomb 15 Indian cities the next day and continued to fire drones and missiles targeting Indian military installations as well as key sites. India, though, neutralised all attacks using its air defence system. In retaliation, India has targeted many sites across PoK and Pakistan, targeting Islamabad’s air defence systems.
