Startling revelations have emerged regarding Pakistan's intense lobbying efforts in the United States during and after India's 'Operation Sindoor. ' Documents filed with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) indicate that Pakistan, facing significant economic challenges and widespread poverty, allocated substantial financial resources—millions of rupees each month—to engage with American leaders and influence policy decisions, while this extensive campaign was aimed at preventing what Pakistan perceived as an escalating conflict and securing crucial international intervention from the United States.
Pakistan's Alarm and Plea for US Intervention
During the period of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan reportedly experienced a state of considerable alarm and agitation. The perceived threat of a larger conflict prompted Islamabad to seek immediate international intervention, with a particular focus on the United States. This sense of urgency drove Pakistan to implement a comprehensive and costly strategy to engage with top American leaders. The primary objective was to sway US policymakers in its favor, potentially creating an environment. That would either deter India's actions or at least ensure a neutral stance from Washington. To achieve this, Pakistan enlisted the services of several influential lobbying firms based in Washington D. C. , which then facilitated access to members of the US Congress and Senate.
The Web of Lobbying Firms and Substantial Expenditure
Documents submitted to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) explicitly detail the significant budget Pakistan allocated for its lobbying activities. Despite grappling with severe poverty, the nation reportedly spent 45 lakh rupees (approximately $50,000) each month to establish contact with American leaders. These funds were channeled to prominent lobbying firms such as Javelin Advisors and Squire Patton Boggs (SPG). The mandate of these firms was to advocate for Pakistan's interests within the political circles of Washington D. C. and ensure access to key American politicians. This expenditure is particularly noteworthy given Pakistan's economic situation at the time,. Underscoring the critical importance Pakistan attached to Operation Sindoor and its potential ramifications.
Strategic Outreach to Key US Leaders
Javelin Advisors, a firm founded by Keith Schiller, former bodyguard to Donald Trump, and George Sores, a former executive at the Trump Organization, was retained by Pakistan in April for a monthly fee of $50,000 (equivalent to 45 lakh rupees). This firm played a crucial role in establishing contact with the offices of highly influential American leaders. According to DOJ filings, Javelin Advisors engaged with the offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The strategic importance of these individuals in US policy-making is immense, and contacting them was intended to lobby in favor of Islamabad, seeking their support or at least neutrality regarding Pakistan's stance against India.
Diplomatic Engagements and Committee-Level Advocacy
Beyond merely targeting top leadership, Javelin Advisors also focused its efforts on lawmakers leading key committees in both houses of Congress that deal with foreign affairs and South Asia. Members of these committees directly influence policies and decisions concerning countries like India and Pakistan, while on May 7, Javelin Advisors successfully arranged a call between Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast to discuss tensions between India and Pakistan. This represented a significant diplomatic achievement, providing Pakistan with a direct platform. To present its perspective to a prominent member of the US Congress. On top of that, the firm also contacted the offices of Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Tom Cotton, and Richard Blumenthal, who are associated with the Senate Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Armed Services committees. These committees wield considerable influence over security and foreign policy, and the outreach aimed to advance Pakistan's security interests.
Squire Patton Boggs' Extensive Outreach Campaign
Another leading Pakistani lobbying firm, Squire Patton Boggs (SPG), also conducted an extensive outreach campaign during Operation Sindoor. This firm contacted more than a dozen members of the House of Representatives. The stated purpose of these contacts was to discuss bilateral relations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, while many of these lawmakers were members of the House Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Affairs, which specifically addresses issues related to India and Pakistan. By engaging with these members, Pakistan sought to ensure that its viewpoint was heard and understood within the US Congress, particularly by those directly involved in the geopolitics of the region.
Pakistan's Information Note and Accusations Against India
As part of its lobbying efforts, Squire Patton Boggs also circulated an 'information note. ' This note summarized Pakistan's official position on Operation Sindoor, serving as a direct attempt to convey Pakistan's narrative to American policymakers. Within this note, serious allegations were made against India, accusing it of supporting terrorism within Pakistan, while concurrently, Pakistan explicitly denied any involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred in April. This note represented an effort by Pakistan to safeguard its image and sow doubt. Within the international community regarding India's actions, thereby laying the groundwork for potential American intervention.
Plea for US Mediation and Future Role
The information note circulated by SPG also stated that the US, 'after demonstrating its unique role in preventing a full-scale war, should remain actively engaged to help broker a credible settlement between India and Pakistan. ' This statement clearly indicates that Pakistan viewed the US as a potential mediator and desired its active involvement in de-escalating tensions between the two nations. The note further added, 'Pakistan would welcome US mediation in this process, while ' This constituted a formal invitation from Pakistan for American intervention, highlighting the significant importance it attached to the US role in this matter. Pakistan's strategy was predicated on the hope that US pressure could deter India from further escalating Operation Sindoor.
Higher Lobbying Expenditure Compared to India
A report from the previous year also revealed that Pakistan was spending three times more than India on lobbying firms in the United States, while according to lobbying disclosures at that time, Pakistan was spending approximately $600,000 per month on six firms, including Javelin Advisors and Squire Patton Boggs. In contrast, India was spending around $200,000 per month on two lobbying firms—BGR Associates and SHW Partners LLC, while this comparative expenditure underscores Pakistan's more intense desire and perceived need to influence US policy. It also suggests that Pakistan was sparing no financial effort to achieve its diplomatic objectives, even while its own economy was under pressure. This significant investment serves as testament to how seriously Pakistan viewed the situation arising. From Operation Sindoor and its willingness to go to great lengths to mitigate it.
