NEW DELHI: In a concerted effort rarely seen before, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has hired at least seven lobbying and legal firms in the United States in just the first eight months of 2025, according to official filings. While Pakistan has long maintained a lobbying presence in Washington, the current scale, pace, and profile of the firms involved is unprecedented in recent memory, raising fresh questions about how foreign money shapes perception and access in US policy making circles.
At the centre of this surge is a network of well-connected consultancies— many led by individuals with direct ties to the US political establishment, including former White House officials, litigators with global enforcement records, and seasoned Capitol Hill strategists. Among the most notable is Gunster Strategies Worldwide, formerly known as Goddard Gunster, which gained prominence for its role in advising the controversial “Leave.EU” campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum.
The firm, led by Republican strategist Gerry Gunster, registered under FARA in January represent Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior. Goddard Gunster had previously arranged access for British politician Nigel Farage to US lawmakers and media outlets—including a paid interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson and meetings with Republican Senators like Bob Corker Other firms hired include Javelin Advisors, led by former Trump aides Keith Schiller and George Sorial; Seiden Law LLP, a New York firm specializing in asset recovery and crossborder litigation; and Conscience Point Consulting, a Washington-based outfit run by policy veteran Nat Wienecke, who has held senior roles in both the executive branch and private sector advocacy.
The flurry of registrations—involving entities like the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Minister of Interior, and affiliated research institutes—has taken place against a backdrop of strained US-India ties, terror attack in Pahalgam, and the slew of praise for the Pakistan military by the Donald Trump administration. According to diplomatic observers, it is clear that the money that Pakistan is spending to pocket US leaders is working. “Lobbying is not always about dramatic reversals,” said a former official who has worked with South Asian missions in the past. “It’s about quiet access, planting counter-narratives, delaying sanctions, or ensuring a seat at the table—and these firms know exactly how to deliver that.”
“When a former White House official picks up the phone to call an agency they once served in, it’s not just another lobbyist calling, but a sense of familiarity and implied credibility. However, when that comes with a foreign paycheque, it should be a matter of public concern”, said an official source aware of how things move around in the Capitol Hill. Official disclosures only reveal a fraction of what’s at stake—they detail who is hired, when, and sometimes how much is paid, but not necessarily who gets influenced, what backdoor channels are activated and the quid-pro-quo that is involved.
