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Fact Check: Did Pakistan beg for another loan from World Bank? Explained

By Aditya Bhagchandani

A post from the verified account of Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division triggered widespread attention on Friday, May 9, after it appeared to appeal to international partners, including the World Bank, for additional loans. The viral message stated that Pakistan had suffered heavy losses from enemy attacks amid escalating tensions with India and urged foreign support to de-escalate the conflict.

The post read:
“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. @WorldBank #IndiaPakistanWar #PakistanZindabad”

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However, within hours, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official fact-checking handle flagged the post as fake, claiming the Economic Affairs Division’s account had been hacked.
The tweet was stamped with a red “FAKE” overlay, and the ministry urged citizens and media to refrain from spreading unauthenticated claims.

Despite the clarification, the original post had already gone viral, garnering over 4 million views within hours. It was further amplified when PIB India, the Indian government’s official media body, sarcastically reacted to the post with a popular meme saying, “Yeh koi tareeka hai bheek mangne ka?” (Is this how one begs for aid?), further fueling the controversy on social media.

While Pakistan maintains the account was compromised, the timing and content of the alleged hack have raised eyebrows, especially as it came in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and heightened cross-border tensions.

Aditya Bhagchandani

Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.

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