India-Pakistan conflict: ‘Help…!’ Pak ministry asking international partners for loans? Govt says...

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs requested international partners for additional loans, citing heavy losses and a stock market crash. The ministry also urged international partner to help de-escalate the situation.

 “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," it posted on X.

This comes after yesterday's retaliation by India against Pakistan's airstrikes. India on Thursday said it “neutralised” Pakistan's air defence system in Lahore as Pakistan had violated ceasefire and began shelling in Poonch, killing 13 civilians and injuring over 40.

Pakistan says Economic Affairs Division account ‘hacked’

Pakistan has claimed that its Economic Affairs Division account on the social media platform X has been hacked and called the post, where it appealed for more loans from the international community as it faced losses following India's Operation Sindoor, “fake.”

In a post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fact Checker shared a picture of the post and mentioned that it was "fake." It also claimed, "The account was hacked."

India ‘neutralises’ Pakistan's air defence system

The central government said it thwarted Pakistan’s attempted strikes on 15 Indian military installations. It added the air defence system in Lahore was “reliably learnt to have been neutralised”.

“These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks,” the statement mentioned.

All these events followed Operation Sindoor on Wednesday by India in Pakistan and PoK striking at nine terror hotbeds. It was also a justice served to those 26 lives which were lost in Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

US in conversation with India and Pakistan

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Thursday said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asked for restraint amid flaring tensions between India and Pakistan.

Rubio talked to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting immediate de-escalation, Bruce informed in a press briefing.

"This morning Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and EAM Dr S Jaishankar. In both calls, the Secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation and called for an end to the violence. He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications," she stated.

"The Secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism," US State Department mentioned in a statement.

"Spoke with US @SecRubio this evening. Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism. Underlined India's targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

(With inputs from agencies)