Pakistan Signs $1.2 Million US Lobbying Deal Months After Op Sindoor
The engagement is focused on providing government relations, policy advisory support and legislative monitoring services intended to advance Pakistan's diplomatic, economic and strategic interests in the United States
Washington DC: Following the fallout from Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has intensified its lobbying efforts in Washington DC.
According to filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Pakistan entered into a new multi-million-dollar agreement on May 1 aimed at strengthening its influence within US policymaking circles.
The FARA report states that Pakistan signed a formal contract with Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC, a US-based government relations and advocacy firm. The agreement, effective from May 1, 2026, provides for a monthly retainer of USD 50,000 over 24 months, bringing the total value of the contract to approximately USD 1.2 million.
The deal also includes an upfront payment of USD 150,000 covering the first three months of services.
The engagement is focused on providing government relations, policy advisory support and legislative monitoring services intended to advance Pakistan's diplomatic, economic and strategic interests in the United States.
Under the agreement, Ervin Graves Strategy Group will conduct targeted outreach to members of the US Congress and their staff, particularly those serving on committees overseeing foreign affairs, defence, trade and appropriations.
A key objective of the arrangement is to position Pakistan as a reliable partner in counterterrorism and regional stability.
Pakistan's support for terror groups has been a major issue raised by India at various international forums. At a UN Security Council meeting on May 27, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of continuing to harbour and support terrorism, cross-border terrorism and violent extremism against India.
"Pakistan will have to accept that there are consequences to its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Pakistan's harnessing of the malevolent forces of terrorism, religious extremism, violent radicalism, and anti-India rhetoric has continued unabated since its creation," he said.
Earlier, FARA filings in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor revealed that Islamabad had launched an extensive lobbying campaign in Washington, repeatedly engaging with the US establishment to maintain its status on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) whitelist.
Filings covering the period between May 6 and May 9, 2025, showed nearly 60 interactions involving US lawmakers, congressional aides, defence-linked officials, Treasury personnel, national security advisers and journalists.
The records indicated that Pakistan was actively engaging influential figures in Washington while India carried out Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack and launched strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Now, as Pakistan seeks to project itself as a peacemaker in West Asia, Islamabad has renewed efforts to advance its policy objectives in Washington.
The current lobbying agreement includes plans to strengthen and expand the Congressional Pakistan Caucus while maintaining regular engagement with its leadership and staff.
The lobbying firm is also tasked with outreach to influential congressional groups, including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, in an effort to build bipartisan support for Pakistan-related policy priorities.
In addition to congressional engagement, the contract provides for structured interactions with senior officials from the US Departments of State, Defence, Commerce, Agriculture, Treasury and Energy, as well as the Office of the US Trade Representative.
