Cultivating Lobbyists In The US

Buoyed by US President Donald Trump’s praise, Pakistan recently signed a US$1.3 million lobbying pact in Washington to remake its global image. Pakistan's embassy in Washington signed a two-year agreement worth roughly ₹11 crore (about US$1.3 million) with Irwin Graves Strategy Group LLC on May 1. As per the agreement filed with the US Department of Justice, the lobbying firm will support Pakistan's mission here through engagement with the US Congress, Executive Branch agencies, policy institutions, industry stakeholders, and “other relevant actors in the Washington policy environment.”

The lobbyist will campaign to influence views in Washington by projecting Pakistan as a credible trade partner and a committed ally in counter-terrorism efforts. The move also wants to divert attention away from issues that have impacted Pakistan’s global reputation for years.

It is for no reason that Trump has been heaping praises on Pakistan and mentioned over six dozen times that he “mediated” between India and Pakistan last year.

A report titled How Pakistan’s Spending Blitz Helped Win Over Trump and Flip U.S. Policy, published by The New York Times, says, “… The lobbying contracts, which totalled millions of dollars, and held out the promises of lower tariffs and access to Trump, suggest an additional reason for Pakistan’s improved standing: a campaign to influence the president, which included employing some of his closest confidants.”

“By the fall, Trump had called Pakistan’s army chief his “favourite field marshal” and the nation’s support for his Gaza peace plan 'incredible'…” the report said. 

Islamabad’s Lobbying Strategy

Hiring lobbying firms in the US is one aspect of Islamabad’s strategy. Pakistan frequently utilises foreign social media influencers and travel vloggers as a strategic soft-power tool to improve its global image and boost tourism. These efforts intensified in recent years. 

By showcasing the country’s hospitality, safety, and landscapes, the government aims to counter negative stereotypes stemming from geopolitical conflicts and post-9/11 headlines. The Pakistani government actively recruits foreign influencers from countries such as the US, the UK, Australia, and the Netherlands to visit Pakistan. They produce glowing content detailing the country's perceived hospitality, safety, and vibrant culture to combat negative travel advisories. 

Pakistan also recently launched some online media platforms, carefully staffed with foreign anchors for the same purpose. The foreign influencers complete the loop. 

However, Pakistan’s current strategy, akin to its 1990s strategy, revived by the Field Marshal, rings hollow. The country’s infrastructure is dilapidated, and the tourism industry is not worth its salt to showcase. The elites take the first flight out of the country at the first opportunity, and their wealth is invested abroad. The loans from the West and China went into a black hole, and aid from the Gulf was diverted by the military to enter into a race to outpace India.

Domestic Economy

A false sense of pride has been sold to the local population instead of investing in basic education, colleges and universities. 

Even as Saudi Arabia entered into a defence pact with Islamabad last year due to regional considerations and to create a deterrence, Pakistani nationals in the Gulf remain with no socio-economic progression. While the Indian skilled and semi-skilled workforce has earned praise from across the Gulf region and respective monarchies, Pakistani nationals are increasingly finding it difficult to obtain work visas.

The Field Marshal and the Pakistani military need to focus on the domestic economy and population welfare instead of floating strategies to con the international community.   

(The writer is a commentator on geopolitics and geoeconomics. Views expressed are personal.)