Pakistan Slashes Lobbying Spend in the U.S., Spending Less Than India

Islamabad/Washington: After record spending on lobbying in the United States last year, Pakistan has significantly cut its expenditure in 2026. The move comes after Islamabad spent heavily in 2025, particularly during Operation Sindhur, to influence U.S. policy through high-profile lobbying firms.

Last year, Pakistan reportedly spent nearly three times more than India on U.S. lobbying, aiming to cultivate strong ties with the Trump administration. The country engaged firms with close connections to Washington, including Javelin Advisors, Seiden Law, Orchid Advisors, Square Patton Boggs, and Conscious Point Consulting, paying up to $600,000 per month at the height of the lobbying drive.

Why the Sudden Shift?

According to former diplomats, the recent downsizing indicates that Islamabad now believes it has secured the access it wanted in Washington. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2008 to 2011, explained that once close relations with the Trump administration were established, Islamabad felt less dependent on lobbying firms. “Once they received the attention and recognition they wanted from Trump, Prime Minister **** and **** were satisfied, reducing the need for extensive lobbying,” Haqqani said.

Current Lobbying Setup

Pakistan now relies on just two firms — Corvis LLC and Erwin Graves Strategy Group LLC — paying a combined total of $175,000, which is lower than India’s current spending. India’s lobbying includes SHW Partners LLC, headed by Trump’s former associate Jason Miller.

Former Indian diplomat and UN representative **** noted that in Washington, facts alone rarely influence policy. “Countries often need intermediaries, usually lobbying firms, to effectively present their story in the U.S.,” he said. Many nations spend millions annually to shape public opinion and engage with key U.S. institutions.

The reduction in Pakistan’s lobbying budget reflects a strategic recalibration in U.S. diplomacy, suggesting Islamabad believes it has already secured the influence it sought.