Pakistan has hired a US lobbying firm led by former Republican Congressman Tom Graves under a two-year contract aimed at advancing Islamabad’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests in Washington.Pakistan’s embassy in Washington signed a two-year agreement with Erwin Graves Strategy Group earlier this month, according to documents filed with the US Justice Department. Under the contract, the company will receive $50,000 per month to support Pakistan’s outreach efforts in the US, news agency PTI reported.The agreement mandates the firm to engage with the U.S. Congress, executive branch agencies, policy institutions, industry stakeholders, and “other relevant actors in the Washington policy environment.”Among its responsibilities, the lobbying group will monitor legislative and policy developments that could impact Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally of the US. It will also look at issues related to sanctions, human rights and security assistance that may have an impact on Islamabad.The company is also tasked with expanding Pakistan’s engagement with the editorial boards and opinion sections of major media organizations and identifying policy voices, including lawmakers, think-tank experts and academics, who can help strengthen Pakistan’s strategic importance.The agreement also calls for holding a reception, roundtable and closed-door policy discussions involving US lawmakers, government officials and Pakistani representatives at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.The lobbying firm will coordinate visits of members of Congress and Congressional staff to Pakistan and provide briefings prior to such visits. It has also been asked to facilitate the participation of MPs and Congressional staff in events hosted by the Ambassador of Pakistan, including diplomatic and policy-focused functions.Additionally, the company will reach out to members of Congress serving on committees related to foreign affairs, defense, trade, appropriations, and national security, providing strategic support aimed at increasing membership and participation in the Congressional Pakistan Caucus.The move comes amid Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to position itself as a mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington on the US-Iran conflict, which has entered its fourth month and remains under a fragile ceasefire. However, a March congressional report said more than a dozen terrorist groups continued to operate from Pakistan despite years of military operations.