Washington D.C. – Pakistan hired lobbying firms in Washington DC to mount an extensive campaign aimed at influencing top US politicians during and after Operation Sindoor, according to official disclosures filed with the US Department of Justice. The revelation exposes how Islamabad invested substantial resources to shape American political opinion and media coverage during a critical period of tensions in South Asia. Established firms like Squire Patton Boggs and newer entrants like Javelin Advisors played central roles in this sophisticated outreach effort.
Javelin Advisors: The Trump Connection
One of the most notable firms Pakistan hired lobbying firms from was Javelin Advisors, founded by Keith Schiller, Donald Trump‘s former bodyguard, and George Sorial, a former Trump Organisation executive. Pakistan engaged Javelin Advisors in April for a substantial monthly fee of $50,000. According to the firm’s filings with the Department of Justice, Javelin Advisors conducted extensive outreach to the offices of some of America’s most influential politicians during Operation Sindoor, demonstrating the strategic importance Islamabad placed on maintaining favorable relations with Washington.
Targeting Congressional Leadership
The disclosures reveal that Pakistan hired lobbying firms specifically to reach the highest echelons of American political power. Javelin Advisors contacted the offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. This comprehensive approach ensured that Islamabad’s message reached both Democratic and Republican leadership in both chambers of Congress, maximizing potential influence across the political spectrum.
Strategic Engagement with Key Committees
Beyond top leadership, Pakistan hired lobbying firms to target lawmakers serving on crucial committees dealing with foreign policy matters. Javelin Advisors successfully arranged a telephone call between Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast on May 7, specifically to discuss tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. The firm also reached out to Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Tom Cotton, and Richard Blumenthal, who serve on the Senate committees overseeing foreign relations, intelligence, and armed services respectively.
Squire Patton Boggs’ Extensive Outreach
Squire Patton Boggs, another prominent firm Pakistan hired lobbying firms from, led outreach efforts to over a dozen members of the House of Representatives during Operation Sindoor. According to their disclosures, the stated purpose of these contacts was to discuss “US-Islamic Republic of Pakistan Bilateral Relations.” Many of the targeted lawmakers served on the subcommittee for South and Central Asian affairs in the House, which directly handles issues related to India and Pakistan, making them particularly valuable contacts for Pakistan’s lobbying objectives.
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Disseminating Pakistan’s Narrative
The firms Pakistan hired lobbying firms from went beyond simple outreach to actively distribute Pakistan’s official position on Operation Sindoor. Squire Patton Boggs disseminated an informational note that summarized Islamabad’s stance on the conflict. The note accused India of supporting terrorism within Pakistan while denying any Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred in April. The document also expressed Pakistan’s welcome of US President Donald Trump’s willingness to help settle the Kashmir dispute.
Seeking US Mediation Role
The informational note distributed by the Pakistan hired lobbying firms included a direct appeal for American intervention in South Asian affairs. “Having demonstrated its unique ability to avert all-out war, the United States should remain engaged to help India and Pakistan reach verifiable agreements. Pakistan would welcome a U.S. mediating role,” the note stated. This messaging aimed to position Pakistan as open to diplomatic solutions while simultaneously requesting American involvement as a mediator in regional disputes.
Media Outreach Campaign
The lobbying efforts extended beyond politicians, as Pakistan hired lobbying firms also maintained contact with influential American media outlets. According to the disclosures, lobbying firms were in touch with reporters from major US newspapers like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal both during and after Operation Sindoor. This dual approach of targeting both policymakers and media demonstrated a comprehensive strategy to shape American public opinion and policy simultaneously.
Massive Spending Disparity
Previous reporting revealed the significant financial commitment behind Pakistan’s lobbying efforts. In August, it was reported that Pakistan hired lobbying firms at a rate that outspent India three-to-one. According to lobbying disclosures, Pakistan was spending approximately $600,000 per month on six firms at the time, including Javelin Advisors and Squire Patton Boggs. By contrast, India was spending only $200,000 per month on two lobbying firms, BGR Associates and SHW Partners LLC.
Implications for Regional Diplomacy
The revelation that Pakistan hired lobbying firms spending such substantial sums raises important questions about the role of foreign lobbying in shaping American foreign policy toward South Asia. The extensive nature of the campaign, targeting everyone from congressional leadership to committee members and media professionals, demonstrates the sophistication of Pakistan’s approach. These efforts aimed to influence American perception during a critical period of regional tensions, potentially affecting US policy decisions regarding India-Pakistan relations.
Transparency Through Federal Disclosures
The details about how Pakistan hired lobbying firms became public through the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires lobbyists working for foreign governments to disclose their activities to the Department of Justice. These filings provide transparency about foreign influence operations in Washington, allowing the American public and policymakers to understand which countries are attempting to shape US policy and through what means. The disclosures continue to shed light on the extensive resources nations invest in maintaining favorable relations with the United States government.
