New Delhi:
Pakistan announced on Friday night that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an “immediate payment” of $1 billion to aid its struggling economy. This statement came from the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed satisfaction with the recognition, attributing it to the IMF’s shortcomings and India’s substantial profits. However, the IMF has not yet confirmed this claim.
This announcement arrives as Pakistani forces have been deploying weapon-carrying drones and missiles targeting Indian cities for the third consecutive night. Reports indicate that drone activity has been detected over Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab, prompting Indian troops to retaliate against these threats. In Punjab’s Ferosepur, three civilians sustained injuries following a drone strike on a residential area.
The ongoing drone attacks are raising concerns about escalating military tensions between the two nuclear-armed states. India’s air defense systems, which include an integrated counter-unmanned aerial system and the indigenous Akash missile defense system, have reportedly intercepted most of the Pakistani projectiles.
In parallel, India has voiced its opposition to the IMF’s proposal for an additional loan package of up to $2.3 billion to Pakistan, which includes a $1.3 billion trust and sustainability facility. India contends that previous funds have been misallocated and is protesting against financing that may support state-backed terrorism.
This objection aligns with India’s longstanding position that Pakistan, particularly its government and military, supports cross-border terrorism targeting India. Such allegations resurfaced after the April 22 Pahargam terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, for which a group linked to Pakistan claimed responsibility.
Following these events, India has executed various non-military measures, including actions targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Despite Pakistan’s denials regarding its involvement in the Pahargam attacks, India cites substantial evidence connecting Pakistani authorities with global terrorism, including historical incidents like the London bombings in 2005.
The UN Security Council has also pressured Pakistan to address its continued support for terrorist groups operating from its territory.
