In Trump's D.C., Pak Quietly Erects Its Largest-Ever Influence Network

Thirteen lobbying firms, over $3.5 million in contracts, and a strategic narrative aimed at Kashmir, critical minerals, and countering India: Islamabad's campaign is its boldest yet in the US capital.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

As soon as it became clear that Donald Trump was poised to return as President of the United States to political prominence, Pakistan launched a lobbying shopping spree in Washington, rapidly contracting a network of influence firms to reposition its narrative in the U.S. capital. At least 13 lobbying firms have since been hired to represent Pakistan's interests, according to filings reviewed by the Sunday Guardian between April and May 2025.

These lobbying agencies have entered formal agreements with either the Government of Pakistan or its affiliated institutions, aiming to influence U.S. policy in areas ranging from security to trade, regional geopolitics, and bilateral perception management. The campaign reflects a strategic recalibration by Islamabad, timed to coincide with the anticipated shifts in Washington's foreign policy orientation under a Trump-led administration.

The earliest agreement dates back to October 2024, when Team Eagle Consulting signed a $1.5 million deal with the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), a think tank aligned with Pakistan's National Security Division. The most recent registration was filed earlier this month, by Checkmate Government Relations LLC, which represents Greystone Investment and Management LLC—a Dubai-based firm acting on behalf of Pakistani interests.

Prominent among these lobbying firms is Javelin Advisors LLC, co-founded by Keith Schiller, Donald Trump's former bodyguard and Director of Oval Office Operations, and George A. Sorial, a former Trump Organization compliance chief. Their engagement began last month, with a monthly retainer of $50,000. According to documents, their mandate includes building economic partnerships and conveying Pakistan's stance on regional disputes like Jammu and Kashmir directly to U.S. executive and legislative branches.