Pakistan hires Trump-linked lobbyists to boost ties with US amid India tensions

Pakistan has hired two lobbyist firms close to the US President to plead its case amid conflict with India which may have had its impact on Donald Trump's recent approach in equating India with Pakistan.

Longtime Trump associates have recently signed their agreements to represent Pakistani. Javelin Advisors' Keith Schiller, Trump's former bodyguard, and George Sorial, the Trump Organisation's former compliance chief, would facilitate Pakistan create "long-term economic partnerships" in the US by boosting the country's ties to the US government and private sector. Sources claim this would explain Trump's constant references on the trade deal with Pakistan.

Pakistan is trying to secure investments for its mining sector, including from US companies. Lobbyists hired by Pakistan are trying to impress the Trump administration on the economic potential of Pakistan-US ties.


Meanwhile, the MEA spokesperson, answering a question on hiring of lobby firms by India in the US said, "This is not a new practice. This has been in place for several decades and under successive governments since the 1950s. These firms have been regularly engaged by the Embassy as per the requirement of the situation. All such engagements are available in the public domain. In the run-up to the Nuclear Deal in 2007 and thereafter, firms were engaged to strengthen India's case. I should also add that such a practice is common among Embassies and other organisations in Washington DC and in other parts of the US."