India, on Friday, mocked the Government of Pakistan after it appealed to international partners for additional loans amid its ongoing conflict with India. In a statement issued on the social media platform X, Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs made the appeal, citing heavy losses allegedly inflicted by India.
However, Pakistan later claimed that the X handle had been hacked. Responding to Pakistan’s original post, India’s Press Information Bureau shared a popular film meme that read: “Yeh koi tareeka hai bheekh maangne ka?” — which translates to “Is this how one begs?”
Pakistan’s plea for more loans
In a post from a verified government handle on X (formerly Twitter), Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division stated, “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.” The handle, which belongs to Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, also tagged the World Bank on the post. It also shared the hashtag #IndiaPakistanWar.
India mocks Pakistan
India trolled Pakistan for the post seeking more international loans. India’s Press Information Bureau shared a popular Hindi film meme with Pakistan’s post – the meme from the movie Rohit Shetty movie Golmal read, “Yeh bhi koi tareeka hai bheek maangne ka?” – This translates to “Is this how one begs?”
Pakistan claims X account hacked
A short while after India mocked Pakistan, the official X handle of Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on fake news (@FactCheckerMoIB) claimed that the X handle of its Economic Affairs Division had been hacked. It also claimed that the post seeking additional international loans was fake.
Pakistan’s economy in dire straits
Pakistan’s economy is already in dire straits. It owes the IMF approximately $8.8 billion, making it the fourth-largest debtor. Since April 23, Pakistan's benchmark KSE-100 index has dropped over 7,500 points (6%).
