Pakistan Appeals To World Bank For Funds As Border Clashes With India Escalate

The Government of Pakistan on Friday appealed to international partners for urgent loans after suffering heavy military losses in escalating border clashes with India.

“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 help de-escalate. Nation urged to remain steadfast,” Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division said in an X post, where it tagged the World Bank.

The appeal came as Pakistan’s armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along India’s western border during the night of May 8-9. According to the Indian Army, these attacks, were “effectively repulsed” and drew a forceful response.

The Press Information Bureau of the Indian government mocked a post by the Pakistani government on X, sharing a meme from the well-known Hindi comedy film Golmaal with the dialogue, “Yeh Koi Tarika Hai Bheek Mangne Ka (is this the manner to beg?)”.

“Operation Sindoor: Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed, and a befitting reply was given,” the Indian Army said in an X post on Friday morning.

Indian forces reported they neutralised over 50 swarm drones launched by Pakistan across Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, using systems like L-70 guns, Zu-23mm, and Schilka air defense platforms.

Amid rising tensions, blackouts were observed Thursday night across Punjab districts including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Drones were spotted and neutralised in Jalandhar around 11:20 p.m., according to official sources.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains announced all schools, colleges, and universities across Punjab would remain closed for three days due to the evolving situation. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir authorities closed educational institutes for two days and placed senior officers in charge of border districts.

On Thursday, the Indian defence ministry confirmed it had foiled Pakistani attempts to strike military installations in 15 cities including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and Chandigarh. In retaliation, India targeted Pakistani air defence radars and systems, reportedly neutralising an air defence system in Lahore.

Sixteen civilians, including three women and five children, were killed due to Pakistani mortar and artillery fire across the Line of Control, according to Indian authorities. The Indian Armed Forces stated their operations remained “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” but warned that attacks on military targets would receive a “suitable response.”

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed India’s commitment to restraint but signaled readiness for firm action if provoked. “If anyone tries to take advantage of this restraint, they will face quality action. We are fully prepared for such responsible responses in the future as well,” Singh said.

The latest exchanges follow India’s earlier destruction of nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, carried out after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan had vowed to deliver a “befitting reply” after those strikes.