$9,00,000 For Lobbying: Pakistan Expands United States Outreach Through Think Tanks, Firms | World News

WASHINGTON: According to statements made pursuant to the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, Pakistan has stepped up its lobbying and public relations activities in the US. The applications detail contracts and payments reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. They include the government of Pakistan and Pakistan-affiliated organizations. The aid targets the US Congress, the executive branch, think tanks and the media.

A filing shows that the Islamabad Institute for Policy Research paid $900,000 for lobbying and public policy support in the United States. The Institute is a Pakistan-based think tank affiliated with the Pakistan National Security Department.

Hyperfocal Communications LLC signed up as a subcontractor to Team Eagle Consulting LLC in October 2024 to perform the work, according to the release. The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filing states that the activity involved assistance to the US government aimed at improving US-Pakistan relations.

Another file shows that Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington signed a contract with Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC, effective October 1, 2025. The agreement provides for a monthly payment of $25,000 for the first three months.

Planned activities include assistance to members of Congress and executive branch officials, the filing said. The scope of the work also includes interaction with policy groups and think tanks. It touches on issues such as regional stability, economic development and democratic reform.

The dossier also mentions trade promotion, tourism and Pakistan’s rare earth minerals potential.

Separate filings show Javelin Advisors LLC registered in April to represent Pakistan under a formal advisory agreement dated April 24. Javelin announced a monthly fee of $50,000. The firm said its work includes communicating Pakistan’s positions on regional and global issues to the US executive branch, Congress and the public.

Topics listed include the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Pakistan-India relations.

As noted in Javelin Advisors’ FARA filings, references to lobbying efforts aimed specifically at communicating Pakistan’s positions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Pakistan-India relations to the US executive branch, Congress and the public are likely to be closely followed in India.

The filings also reference a framework document circulated in May that outlines proposed cooperation between Pakistan and the United States on rare earth minerals and critical metals. The presented paper describes the proposed collaboration covering exploration, mining, processing and integration into global supply chains. He talks about an indicative business value of up to $1 trillion.

Another record shows that the Pakistan Embassy hired Qorvis Holding Inc. for public relations services in May. The statement lists media outreach and narrative development among the activities.

Under U.S. law, foreign governments and related organizations are required to publicly disclose their lobbying activities and public relations arrangements. Applications provide records of contracts, activities, and payments made on their behalf.