Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Ministry Claims X Account Was Hacked After ‘Loan Appeal’ Post

Amid rising tensions with India, Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs found itself in an embarrassing situation on Friday after a post from its official X (formerly Twitter) account appeared to publicly appeal to international partners for financial assistance. The ministry later claimed that the account had been “hacked” and disowned the content.

The controversial post, which quickly went viral, urged international financial institutions and partner nations to extend loans to Pakistan. Given the timing—coinciding with India’s retaliatory military actions—the post triggered widespread speculation and criticism both domestically and internationally, prompting the ministry to issue a clarification.

In a statement to news agency Reuters, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Economic Affairs said, “We are working to have the Twitter (X) switched off,” adding that the ministry had not made the loan appeal and that the post did not reflect the official stance of the government. The ministry further stated that cyber experts had been roped in to investigate the breach and regain control of the account.

The alleged hacking incident has sparked further questions about Pakistan’s digital infrastructure security, particularly within key government departments. Critics have questioned how a sensitive handle representing a critical financial institution could be compromised so easily during a time of geopolitical tension.

Indian analysts and social media users were quick to point out the timing and content of the post, interpreting it as a reflection of Pakistan’s deepening financial crisis and its strained foreign relations. Some users compared the situation to a digital gaffe, while others speculated whether the post was an accidental leak rather than a hack.

This incident comes at a time when Pakistan is already struggling to secure consistent financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international lenders. The country has been battling high inflation, dwindling foreign reserves, and persistent debt, which has put immense pressure on its economic policymakers.

While the Pakistani government insists that the post was unauthorized and misleading, the incident has added to the narrative of instability and miscommunication within key institutions.