What Happened on the Pakistan Ministry X Account?
In a bizarre turn of events, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@ForeignOfficePk) appeared to request international loans through a Pakistan Ministry X Account post on May 9, 2025. The tweet, which read: “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 helps de-escalate. Nation urged to remain steadfast. @worldBank #IndiaPakistanWar #PakistanZIndabad” was live for nearly 20 minutes before being taken down.
Shortly afterward, a follow-up message was posted, claiming the account had been “compromised by malicious actors” and that authorities were investigating the cyber intrusion. This triggered widespread online discussion, with many questioning whether the tweet was a genuine appeal or a digital breach.
India’s Retaliatory Context and Timing
The incident occurred amid heightened diplomatic and military tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 18, 2025. India alleged that the perpetrators had links to Pakistan-based terror groups, prompting a strong retaliatory response.
In the aftermath, India:
- Revoked multiple bilateral cooperation agreements,
- Suspended water-sharing under the Indus Waters Treaty,
- Blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube news channels, including Geo News and PTV,
- Restricted the official X handle of Pakistan’s government from visibility in India.
According to the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, this was done under the IT Rules, 2021, aimed at curbing “fake or anti-India content.”
Government Denial: Was the Account Hacked?
Following the deleted tweet, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal press release stating that the post was the result of a cyberattack. Officials insisted that the ministry would “never use social media platforms for financial appeals” and called the post “a clear and deliberate attempt to embarrass the government on the international stage.”
Cybersecurity experts in Islamabad indicated that while the Pakistan Ministry X Account Asks for Loans, Claims Hack Later credentials had been secured using two-factor authentication, a possible phishing attempt or insider access might have led to the breach. The National Response Centre for Cyber Crime (NR3C), a division of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), has reportedly launched an inquiry.
This is not the first digital incident tied to the Pakistani government. In 2024, the Islamabad High Court heard a case where the government admitted to banning the X platform within Pakistan due to concerns over “national security” after sensitive allegations related to electoral fraud went viral.
Public and Diplomatic Reactions Across Borders
The incident provoked a mixed response both domestically and internationally.
In India, many interpreted the tweet as either a humorous gaffe or a sobering reflection of Pakistan’s ongoing economic struggles. Social media users mocked the request, while some analysts questioned the authenticity of the hacking claim, suggesting it may have been a “social media misfire” by an inexperienced handler.
In Pakistan, opposition parties quickly seized on the opportunity to criticize the government for lax digital security and international embarrassment. The hashtag #PakistanLoanTweet trended for several hours, with some netizens drawing parallels between this and past economic missteps involving the IMF and China.
Diplomatically, foreign missions in Islamabad refrained from official comments but quietly noted the incident. Internally, several Western embassies have reportedly increased scrutiny over digital communications from Pakistani ministries, citing a lack of transparency.
Experts say the event underscores a growing need for stringent digital governance and accountability across South Asian governments
Conclusion
Whether a genuine Pakistan Ministry X Account cyberattack or an internal blunder, the loan tweet incident from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has added another layer to the already fraught India-Pakistan relationship. As both countries navigate cyber diplomacy, information warfare, and national security, this episode serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in digital communication by state entities.
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This is article is written with the reference of TImes of India, Hindustan Times
