Donald Trump with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir (PTI file photo)

According to public disclosures filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Pakistan’s fragile economy is spending an estimated $900,000 every month on lobbying efforts in the United States, bringing its annual outlay to around $10–12 million.This expenditure has come at a time when Pakistan is facing increasing economic challenges. Water crisis deepens after India suspends Indus Water Treaty pahalgam terrorist attackThe country has also been affected by the rising prices of fuel and LPG after the Iran war.Pakistan is struggling with a heavy debt burden and is dependent on the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite securing a bailout package, the economy remains vulnerable to recurring fiscal pressures, foreign exchange shortages and sluggish growth.The FARA filings paint a picture of a broader influence campaign aimed at strengthening Islamabad’s position in Washington even as it faces economic and diplomatic challenges domestically.The revelations reveal a network of lobbying firms that were employed to improve Pakistan’s position on issues ranging from security cooperation and trade to broader diplomatic access.Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev told news agency ANI that the scale of Islamabad’s lobbying effort reflects its determination to secure access and influence in Washington.Sachdev said, “Recent reports indicating a $1.2 million contract are not unusual for Washington. All foreign governments retain lobbyists at various times.”“According to public FARA data, Pakistan is currently spending around $900,000 every month on lobbying. This includes a $50,000 per month contract for meetings involving the interior minister and another company charging $250,000 per month to resolve trade issues.”Sachdev also noted that a lobbying firm hired in October at $25,000 a month recently had its contract increased to $1.2 million, highlighting Pakistan’s growing urgency to strengthen its image and influence in Washington.The documents also raise questions about the claims of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. Speaking at a function at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Munir claimed that India had sought mediation through the United States during the military tension between the two countries.“India expressed its desire for US-led mediation, which Pakistan accepted in the interest of broader regional peace,” Dawn News quoted Munir as saying.However, FARA filings reviewed by ANI show that Pakistan stepped up its lobbying efforts in Washington at the same time as India was carrying out military operations. Operation Sindoor.Between May 6 and May 9 last year, Pakistani representatives recorded about 60 conversations with officials and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, the Pentagon and the US Treasury Department. These activities took place during Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.After suffering a major setback during Operation Sindoor, Asim Munir also made frequent visits to the US in an attempt to gain more recognition and to get Donald Trump’s “pat on the back”, to be seen as the MAGA supremo’s “favorite field marshal”.While Pakistani lobbyists were actively engaging with US policy makers, Indian armed forces were carrying out strikes on key terrorist targets harbored by Pakistan.Last year, India carried out precision strikes on nine key terror targets linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and other Pakistan-based terror outfits. When Pakistan interfered in India’s counter-terrorism operations, New Delhi escalated its response by targeting key Pakistani military installations, including the strategically important Noor Khan and Rahim Yar Khan airbases.The FARA revelations indicate that even though Pakistan’s military leadership exuded confidence in public, its lobbying teams in Washington were working intensively behind the scenes during periods of military tension.