Pakistan has hired a US lobbying firm led by former Republican Congressman Tom Graves under a two-year contract aimed at promoting Islamabad’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests in Washington.According to documents submitted to the US Department of Justice, the Pakistani Embassy in Washington entered into a two-year agreement earlier this month with Irvin Graves Strategic Group. Under the contract, the company will receive $50,000 per month to support Pakistani outreach efforts in the United States, news agency PTI reported.The agreement obligates the company to engage with the US Congress, executive branch agencies, policy institutions, industry stakeholders and “other relevant actors in the Washington policy environment.”Among its responsibilities, the lobby group will monitor legislative and policy developments that could affect Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally of the United States. It will also follow up on issues related to sanctions, human rights and security assistance that may have implications for Islamabad.In addition, the company is tasked with expanding Pakistan’s engagement with editorial boards and opinion sections of major media organizations and identifying political voices, including lawmakers, think tank experts and academics, who can help enhance Pakistan’s strategic importance.
The agreement also calls for receptions, roundtables and closed policy discussions involving US lawmakers, government officials and Pakistani representatives at the Pakistani embassy in Washington.The lobbying firm will coordinate visits by members of Congress and congressional staff to Pakistan and provide briefings prior to such trips. She has also been asked to facilitate the participation of lawmakers and congressional staff in events hosted by the Ambassador of Pakistan, including diplomatic and policy-focused gatherings.In addition, the company will reach out to members of Congress serving on committees dealing with Foreign Affairs, Defense, Commerce, Appropriations and National Security, while providing strategic support aimed at increasing membership and participation in the Congressional Pakistan Caucus.This move comes amid Pakistani diplomatic efforts to position itself as a mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington regarding the US-Iranian conflict, which has entered its fourth month and remains under a fragile ceasefire. However, a congressional report in March noted that more than a dozen terrorist groups continue to operate from Pakistan despite years of military operations.
