PTI Hires a Media Relations Firm in the US

[Major]

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has hired a lobbying firm based in Washington D.C, USA, at a monthly fee of $25,000 for the purposes of ‘supporting PTI’s goals for good relations with the United States and the Pakistani diaspora in the US’.

According to documents unearthed by South Asia Center’s Director of the Pakistan Initiative Uzair Younus, PTI USA has hired the lobbying firm Fenton/Arlock LLC for $25,000 per month. The same firm was hired by the Pakistan Embassy in United States in March 2022 for $30,000 a month.


While the lobbying firm has been hired by PTI USA, and the documents specify that PTI Pakistan is not a client, the documents also state that PTI USA may be directed by PTI Pakistan in certain cases, which would mean that the firm could then formulate PR strategies and actions on the behalf of PTI Pakistan.

Some people objected that there was no illegality in PTI USA hiring a consultancy or lobbying firm, even if PTI Pakistan would be directing PTI USA occasionally. However, Uzair Younus maintained that while it was not illegal, it was hypocritical.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Providing PR “services, including but not limited to distributing information to and briefing journalists, placing articles and broadcasts, arranging interviews with representatives or supporters of PTI, advising on social media efforts and other such public relations services.” <a href="https://t.co/MWQv0Us6se">https://t.co/MWQv0Us6se</a></p>— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/UzairYounus/status/1557858540664111104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When I was a young boy, I would tell my friends that I ask my parents for permission in "certain instances" to go out.<br><br>Also, idk who is insinuating there is something illegal with what PTI did.<br><br>It is perfectly legal, hence a public filing made!<br><br>But it is hypocritical! <a href="https://t.co/BsPU9bemyZ">https://t.co/BsPU9bemyZ</a></p>— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/UzairYounus/status/1557841492231823360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Folks should read the full documents before reaching conclusions here.<br><br>1) This is nothing illegal.<br><br>2) Client is PTI USA.<br><br>3) Document accepts that in certain instances, PTI USA may be directed by PTI Pak, meaning that Fenton could, at times, engage in PR on behalf of PTI Pak.</p>— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/UzairYounus/status/1557859900079984640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Major]

sources
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/981678-pti-hires-lobbying-firm-in-us-to-establish-good-relations
https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2022/08/12/pti-hires-american-lobbying-firm-to-mend-ties-with-the-us/

 

[Bewal Express]

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has hired a lobbying firm based in Washington D.C, USA, at a monthly fee of $25,000 for the purposes of ‘supporting PTI’s goals for good relations with the United States and the Pakistani diaspora in the US’.

According to documents unearthed by South Asia Center’s Director of the Pakistan Initiative Uzair Younus, PTI USA has hired the lobbying firm Fenton/Arlock LLC for $25,000 per month. The same firm was hired by the Pakistan Embassy in United States in March 2022 for $30,000 a month.


While the lobbying firm has been hired by PTI USA, and the documents specify that PTI Pakistan is not a client, the documents also state that PTI USA may be directed by PTI Pakistan in certain cases, which would mean that the firm could then formulate PR strategies and actions on the behalf of PTI Pakistan.

Some people objected that there was no illegality in PTI USA hiring a consultancy or lobbying firm, even if PTI Pakistan would be directing PTI USA occasionally. However, Uzair Younus maintained that while it was not illegal, it was hypocritical.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Providing PR “services, including but not limited to distributing information to and briefing journalists, placing articles and broadcasts, arranging interviews with representatives or supporters of PTI, advising on social media efforts and other such public relations services.” <a href="https://t.co/MWQv0Us6se">https://t.co/MWQv0Us6se</a></p>— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/UzairYounus/status/1557858540664111104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When I was a young boy, I would tell my friends that I ask my parents for permission in "certain instances" to go out.<br><br>Also, idk who is insinuating there is something illegal with what PTI did.<br><br>It is perfectly legal, hence a public filing made!<br><br>But it is hypocritical! <a href="https://t.co/BsPU9bemyZ">https://t.co/BsPU9bemyZ</a></p>— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/UzairYounus/status/1557841492231823360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Folks should read the full documents before reaching conclusions here.<br><br>1) This is nothing illegal.<br><br>2) Client is PTI USA.<br><br>3) Document accepts that in certain instances, PTI USA may be directed by PTI Pak, meaning that Fenton could, at times, engage in PR on behalf of PTI Pak.</p>— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/UzairYounus/status/1557859900079984640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wow this is huge. PTI hiring lobbyists in America to counter Noora and Bajwa propaganda so that they know we arent their enemies, we just want our Foreign Policy to suit our needs. No wonder you run from the baby kidnapping thread or the ECP thread or any other thread you join and run from. Lol

 

[Major]

Champions of anti US crusade signing agreements of $100k with US based agency.

They want to build relations with those whom pti claim funded a conspiracy against them.

Thank you Uzair younis for exposing the hypocrites for the zilliath time

 

[Bewal Express]

Champions of anti US crusade signing agreements of $100k with US based agency.

They want to build relations with those whom pti claim funded a conspiracy against them.

Thank you Uzair younis for exposing the hypocrites for the zilliath time

And soon you will from this thread like the other threads

 

[Bewal Express]

Champions of anti US crusade signing agreements of $100k with US based agency.

They want to build relations with those whom pti claim funded a conspiracy against them.

Thank you Uzair younis for exposing the hypocrites for the zilliath time

Another humiliation and epic fail. Go back to media cell and ask for more information

 

[MenInG]

Think idea of a lobby is not clear to many.

Best to read the Urdu version which Fawad will provide as that may help some.

Title of this thread changed accordingly.

 

[Bewal Express]

Think idea of a lobby is not clear to many.

Best to read the Urdu version which Fawad will provide as that may help some.

Title of this thread changed accordingly.

These guys spend their lives following media cell posts and then think I have them. Surely, a bit of critical thinking is required unless you get paid to post without critical thinking. [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] why did you not reply to my question on the ECP? Or on SG or on the 10month baby.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Imran Khan is not anti US. He is just not in agreement with American plans and interests.

 

[Bewal Express]

Imran Khan is not anti US. He is just not in agreement with American plans and interests.

In a nutshell. But some losers can't distinguish between the 2

 

[Browncaps]

According to wife killers supporter, hiring a PR firm on taxpayers expense for nawazs own personal image (rather than hiring one for the country's interests) is fine but other parties cannot hire one

 

[MenInG]

A day after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) hired a public relations firm to mend fences with the United States, PTI chief Imran Khan on Saturday said he was not “anti-American” and wanted a “friendly relationship” with the US, instead of becoming their “slave”.

The former prime minister was speaking at a jam-packed venue at Lahore’s Hockey Stadium on the eve of Independence Day, wherein he shared his party’s “roadmap for Haqeeqi Azadi” to counter the federal government and push it towards early elections.

He said he had enjoyed “good ties” with former US president Donald Trump as he was “respectable” during his visit to the US. “Ask anyone from the Pakistan-American community they will testify that no one before me had gotten the protocol that Trump gave to me,” he claimed.

In his speech, Mr Khan said there was no reason to make an enemy out of Washington as Pakistan’s exports to the US were substantial and the Pakistani-American community was one of the influential communities in that country.

PTI chief announces countrywide mass mobilisation drive; first rally in Pindi in coming days

The PTI chief also chided the government, especially Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, for their remarks on the economy and blamed them for the economic meltdown of Pakistan.

‘Conspiracy to bring back Nawaz’

During the address, Mr Khan claimed that “several conspiracies” were being hatched to disqualify him and to reach a deal to pave way for PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, who is in a self-imposed exile in London, to return home and enter active politics once again. “Imran Khan will never strike any deal,” he said and quipped that he would `welcome’ Nawaz when he would return to Pakistan.

He added the “conspirators” wanted to pit his party against the Pakistan Army which, as per Mr Khan, would eventually hurt the country.

As part of his plan to rattle the government, the PTI chief announced that he would go to the public to muster up support for his struggle to achieve “Haqeeqi Azadi” that had entered its “decisive stage”.

Mr Khan disclosed that he would begin his mass public drive from Rawalpindi next week followed by rallies in Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Attock, Abbottabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Jhelum, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Quetta.

The PTI chief said Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah helped the nation to “get liberation from the British and Hindus”. Now, Mr Khan said, he wanted to liberate Pakistanis from “mental slavery”. By the next August 14, the nation would have won its ‘actual freedom’, Mr Khan said while sharing his plans for mass mobilisation.

After midnight, the participants recited the national anthem along with the PTI chief, which was followed by fireworks. The gathering was broadcast live across Pakistan, including Islamabad and Karachi, where PTI supporters remained glued to big screens to listen to their leader.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi also spoke at the gathering. During the address, Mr Elahi said that Rana Sanaullah would be will be put behind bars for his role in the May 25 crackdown on PTI workers. He also boasted about ending restrictions on market hours imposed by the PML-N government to overcome the power shortage in the country.

Speaking to reporters before the gathering at the ground, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said the theme of the public gathering was “Haqeeqi Azadi”. He added that ‘real freedom’ meant not bowing before anyone but Allah and that was the belief of Imran Khan as well. Mr Chaudhry said the PTI had entered the “final stages” of its movement.

Last week, the PTI announced to hold a “historic power show” in Hockey Ground on the eve of Pakistan’s 76th independence day, which will be celebrated today.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2022

 

[MenInG]

An American consulting firm, run by a former CIA station chief in Islamabad, has come into the limelight that was hired on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to lobby and provide advice on Pakistan-US relations.

Robert Laurent Grenier of Grenier Consulting LLC was hired last year when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was still in power. The agreement with the firm was signed by Iftikharur Rehman Durrani in July 2021 under the “supervision of senior [PTI] party officials and under the direction of Pakistan government officials.”

Grenier is a CIA veteran who was also the CIA station chief in Islamabad during the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and later served as the agency’s top counter-terrorism official from 2004 to 2006.

According to the Foreign Agents Registration Act documents, the contract between the firm and Durrani, on behalf of the PTI government, was signed for six months initially from May 1 to October 2021 for $25,000 per month. Grenier could not be reached for comments and to confirm if the contract was terminated or not.

According to the documents, the firm was to “maintain contacts with US government officials of both the executive and legislative branches, as well as with think tanks and other informed individuals, in addition to consulting with the client and the client’s associates, to determine how the scope of constructive relations between the US government and the government of Pakistan might be enhanced, and will advise his Pakistani client and the client’s associates accordingly, both through verbal and written communications.”

It further highlights that the firm “will engage and consult with informed individuals in both the public and private sectors in both the US and Pakistan to make determinations as to how constructive relations between the US and Pakistan might be enhanced and provide advice to the client and his associates as to how this might be accomplished.”

Hiring such lobbying firms to extend or propagate an entity’s interests is a routine exercise in the US. Besides the CIA officer’s lobbying firm, earlier this month PTI-USA Inc, a subsidiary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, hired Fenton/Arlook to provide “public relations services, including but not limited to distributing information to and briefing journalists, placing articles and broadcasts, arranging interviews with representatives or supporters of PTI, advising on social media efforts and other such public relations services.”

TheNews

 

[daytrader]

PTI’s US lobbying firm highlights cases against leaders, supporters
The PTI hired the US-based lobbying firm that has been reaching out to Western media outlets and human rights bodies, focusing on the current political situation in Pakistan

WASHINGTON/LONDON: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hired the US-based public relations and lobbying firm Fenton/Arlook LLC that has been reaching out to Western media outlets and human rights bodies, focusing on the current political situation in Pakistan, especially cases registered against PTI supporters, The News has learnt through contacts.

The firm hired earlier this month by PTI-USA to improve PTI’s relations with Washington has approached influential Western media organisations, highlighting basic rights violations against party leaders and supporters.

The documents filed with the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) state that the firm was to support “the Tehreek-e-Insaf party’s goals for good relations with the United States and the Pakistani diaspora in the US”.

The documents say that the PR firm would “contact journalists, editors, producers and columnists on behalf of PTI-USA to explain their views to the US media only. This may include arranging interviews, placing OpEds, and other standard media and public relations activities”. The emails sent from the firm to the UK dailies allege that abusive actions were being taken against PTI supporters by the current government of Pakistan in the Centre. The News has seen these emails. The emails essentially pitched that the PTI leaders should be interviewed to hear first-hand accounts on how human rights were being violated under the current Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

In one email, the firm mentioned the case of Shahbaz Gill, former PM Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff, who was arrested a couple of weeks ago on sedition charges after he allegedly called for mutiny within the ranks of Pakistan armed forces. Gill has accused – and Imran Khan has supported the claim – that he was sexually abused and tortured after being arrested. Fenton/Arlook LLC asked the media to highlight the incidents of torture and abuse in its reporting and offered to provide comment, images and videos to establish that rights violation were taking place in Pakistan.

In a recent email, Fenton/Arlook LLC drew attention to the arrest of anchor and youtuber Jameel Farouqui. In the email titled “Pakistan--Another reporter jailed and beaten”, the Fenton/Arlook LLC executive wrote: “Another Journalist, Jameel Farouqui, abducted stripped and tortured. He is now in Islamabad police custody under terrorism charges. He did a programme on a private TV and spoke of heinous torture of Gill by Islamabad police. Police have denied the torture and arrested Jameel for spreading false news with charges of terrorism added.”

The email from the Fenton/Arlook LLC executive then offered: “Also, please let me know if you want photos of marks on Dr Gill’s body and of J. Farouqui—clear evidence of beatings.”

The News, in this regard, sent questions to Fenton/Arlook LLC but did not get any official response. However, a senior executive of the Fenton/Arlook LLC spoke to The News on the condition his name withheld. He confirmed that the firm was working to highlight the cases of human rights abuses in Pakistan with a focus on several cases registered against the PTI leadership and supporters.

The PTI has also confirmed that it had engaged Fenton/Arlook LLC, to support the party’s goal of developing good ties with the US and the Pakistani diaspora in the country. Hiring a lobbying or PR firm is a legal and routine practice in the US and the PTI has fulfilled all legal requirements to hire the firm. PTI chief Imran Khan has been repeatedly accusing the US for overthrowing his government through a conspiracy.

Former PTI minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that Fenton/Arlook LLC is not a lobbyist firm but a media relations firm that the PTI-USA has engaged to put its point across in the media. “It’s the job of these firms to develop a relationship between the media and the party.”

Fenton/Arlook LLC has been hired by the PTI-USA for a period of six months at the cost of $25,000 per month to manage its public and media relations. The agreement was signed on August 1 between David Fenton of the Fenton/Arlook and Salman Ravala, attorney for the PTI-USA. The agreement between the PTI-USA and Fenton/Arlook LLC states that the PTI-USA is not supervised, owned or controlled by any foreign political party but will “in certain instances” be “directed by the foreign political party in Pakistan”, therefore the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

“Fenton/Arlook shall provide public relations services, including but not limited to distributing information to and briefing journalists, placing articles and broadcasts, arranging interviews with representatives or supporters of PTI, advising on social media efforts and other such public relations services,” the agreement signed between PTI and the PR firm stated.

It further states that “For this work Fenton/Arlook will charge a monthly retainer fee of $25,000 plus expenses. Payment of 2 months of fees in advance, or $50,000, plus an expense advance of $5,000 is due on or before August 10th, 2022, to cover work in August and September, 2022,” it further read.

The News PK

 

[daytrader]

Imran meets US lobbyist in Bani Gala
Citizens are raising questions about ex-PM’s meeting with Robin Raphel

ISLAMABAD:
Former American diplomat, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst and lobbyist Robin Raphel met PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

According to sources, Raphel met the former prime minister in Bani Gala on Sunday afternoon.

Raphel was appointed as the assistant secretary of state for the affairs of South and Central Asia in 1993.

It should be noted here that on April 27, the former premier criticised American diplomat Donald Lu by waving a letter to the public at a public gathering in Parade Ground, Islamabad. He alleged that there was a conspiracy hatched against his government and the diplomat had been involved.

Social media and political circles are currently rife with debates on Imran’s strategy of criticising the US while holding meetings with American personalities.

Questions are being raised about the meeting between the two, particularly the contents of it.

Express Tribune

 

[SalimBhai]

what's this about

 

[MenInG]

Documents showing that a former CIA station manager in Islamabad and Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US were hired to lobby for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in Washington may not exactly be breaking news.

But based on fresh information that has come to light recently, PTI insiders are now claiming that these men were lobbying against their own government and played a key role in bringing it down.

PTI officials in the US also claim that both men — Robert Grenier and Hussain Haqqani — were working for a senior figure in the military establishment, a claim Mr Haqqani rejects as incorrect.

The documents on the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) site showed that on July 16, 2021, someone in Pakistan hired Mr Grenier to lobby on their behalf in Washington. Mr Grenier revealed this in his FARA declaration on July 17, 2021.


The documents identified Iftikhar Rehman Durrani of PTI as the person who hired Mr Grenier, but it was the Govern*ment of Pakistan that was paying him.

FARA documents show former CIA Islamabad station chief, hired by SAPM, made payments to former ambassador to US

In Aug 2022, the Pakistani media also reported that the PTI had hired a CIA veteran to advise them on US ties.

According to the documents, the relationship between Mr. Grenier and the government of Pakistan ended in Oct, 2021 but a FARA supplement — covering the 6-month period ending January 2022 — disclosed details of the payments sent by the government of Pakistan to Mr Grenier.

Within this period, Mr Grenier gets $150,000 for “media research”. The supplement clarifies that no attempt was made to influence US foreign policy in anyway.

In November 2022, Mr Grenier filed an amendment to the supplemental, giving details about the disbursement of funds. It showed that the ex-CIA chief made two payments Mr Husain Haqqani, of $20,000 and $10,000 each.

In a recent Twitter thread, journalist Waqas Ahmed claimed that Mr Haqqani met a top Pakistani official in Dubai months before the PTI government was toppled, but the former ambassador denied this claim as well.

The claims — and counter-claims — have become the top trend on social media as thousands of people have gone through the documents on the US Justice Department’s FARA site and watched talk shows highlighting the issue.

Dawn verified documents that showed that the two men were hired to lobby by a Pakistani government official, Iftikhar Durrani, who had served as a special assistant to then-prime minister Imran Khan.

But PTI officials said that Mr Durrani had already resigned from his post when he signed the document. One party official Dawn spoke to said Mr Durrani told him he did so “under coercion”.

Haqqani’s defence

Mr Haqqani, the former ambassador who is also mentioned in the latest FARA documents, was the central character in the Memogate controversy. Delivered in May 2011, it was claimed that the alleged memo was a message from the PPP government which was seeking the Obama administration’s support to reign in the Pakistan military after the Osama bin Laden raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The controversy eventually led to the resignation of Mr Haqqani as ambassador and significantly weakened the PPP government.

However, the former envoy to Washington told Dawn on Tuesday that the claims were exaggerated. “Someone has added 2 plus 2 to get 9.

I have never interacted with Mr Durrani, have never had an interest in working with PTI, and my stance against the military’s role in Pakistan’s politics is well known and unchanged,“ he said.

“I am currently only engaged in research and consulting work and have not had anything to do with Pakistan’s domestic politics for many years.”

He said it was “unfortunate that my name is being unfairly invoked in matters with which I have nothing to do.”

Mr Haqqani said he had no relations with the Pakistan military except with friends and family members who served in it.

“Given that I was vilified for being anti-Pakistan and anti-military for years, questions about whether the then army chief met me should be directed at the military,” he added.

“I did not meet Gen. Bajwa as alleged though I see no reason why a former Pakistani ambassador and the army chief should not meet to exchange views,” he said.

‘Genesis of regime change’

In Islamabad, PTI’s Senior Vice President Shireen Marzari said that the Haqqani-Bajwa files, now in public, clearly indicated that the whole project of regime change conspiracy was done covertly, and that “[Mr] Haqqani was hired to undermine the PTI government.”

“One of the first indicators was how Mr Haqqani endorsed Mr Bajwa’s statement at Islamabad Security Dialogue, countering Imran Khan’s government foreign policy.”

She said that some points were still missing. “First, the whole project was done covertly with no cabinet approval and bypassing procurement procedures.”

She claimed that Donald Lu, the US diplomat who allegedly threatened the PTI government at a lunch at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, had a close relationship with Mr. Haqqani. People Dawn spoke to in Washington backed this claim, but did not give details.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1727461/pti-lobbyist-engaged-hussain-haqqani-at-someone-elses-behest

 

[MenInG]

Notwithstanding its public posturing against the United States, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is making behind-the-scene efforts to repair ties with Washington as the former ruling party has not only abandoned its anti-US narrative but has also discussed its future plans to pull the country out of the economic abyss with the world’s super power.

The first sign that PTI chief Imran Khan’s party was no longer seeking to further antagonise the US, rather wanted rapprochement, was a meeting between a visiting US delegation led by US Department of State Counsellor Derek Chollet with PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday night.

Chollet, being US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken’s point man, is visiting Islamabad as part of a renewed push by the two countries to expand their cooperation beyond security and Afghanistan.

Since Imran’s ouster in April last year, this was the first publicly admitted meeting between the two sides, which came on the heels of PTI chief’s narrative makeover of the alleged regime-change conspiracy after months-long bashing of the US and its officials.

During the meeting, sources privy to the development revealed that the US officials asked the PTI to share its economic revival plan amid an ongoing financial crunch coupled with political volatility.

As the PTI tried to restore relations by assuring that it would abandon the anti-US narrative in the future, they added, the officials of the Biden administration sought the PTI’s stance on the government’s understanding that it reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The sources revealed that a meeting was expected between the US officials and the PTI’s economic team in the coming days to discuss the matters further.

Following the meeting with the economic team, they said, a meeting could also take place between the US officials and PTI chief Imran.

They said that Clinton White, the counsellor of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Elizabeth Horst, the principal deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department, Donald Blome, the US ambassador to Pakistan, among other senior officials were in attendance.

The details emerged after Fawad revealed on Twitter that he held a meeting with the US officials and discussed issues ranging from politics to human rights violations in Pakistan. In the tweet, Fawad stated that he had a “good meeting with the US ambassador and senior officials”.

The PTI leader added that the “worsening HR situation in Pak was a particular focus of discussion”, saying that he apprised the US officials on the PTI concerns on misuse of anti-terrorism and blasphemy laws by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government against the political opponents.

“The political situation and the PTI position on various issues came under discussion,” Fawad stated, adding that such meetings were part of a “mutual desire” for relationships based on equality and the well-being of people.

Apparently, the declaration that the meeting was a result of mutual desire came to counter the impression that the PTI was the only one interested in meeting the US officials after Imran’s repeated stance that he no longer saw a foreign power conspiring with his political opponents to oust him.

In the recent past, Imran not only showed departure from his usual stance against the US but repeatedly conveyed through his interviews that he desired to restore relations with Washington despite accusing it of treating Islamabad as a “slave”.

On the alleged conspiracy being backed by the US, Imran frequently maintained that he no longer blamed the US and wanted a “dignified” relationship if re-elected, saying: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over, it’s behind me.”

In his recent interview with the Voice of America, Imran said that new information had surfaced and he was convinced that there was no foreign power which conspired to overthrow his government but his own army chief who urged Washington that Imran needed to go.

The accusation against former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa came after the ex-military czar was quoted as saying that Pakistan was headed for disaster if Imran continued to remain in power.

Gen Bajwa’s accusation was enough to enrage Imran as he not only lashed out at the ex-military chief but also wrote a letter to President Dr Arif Alvi to order an inquiry against Bajwa on charges of allegedly violating his oath by interfering in politics and controlling the anti-graft body, among other things.

After the US, Imran is now accusing Gen Bajwa of exercising sweeping powers in most matters of governance, saying the PTI was left to take all the blame. Surprising as it may seem, both the PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have accused Gen Bajwa and other retired generals of political interference but no action has so far been taken against anyone.

A US embassy in Islamabad spokesperson was approached for comments but could not be reached till the filing of this story.

Express Tribune

 

[daytrader]

PTI hires another US lobbying firm
The firm has been hired for a period of six months at the cost of $8,333.00 per month

In the thick of insistence that his government was ousted through foreign intervention, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has hired another lobbying firm to build good relations with the US and diaspora living here. Documents that surfaced yesterday confirm that PTI USA signed a contract with a Washington-based lobbying firm, Praia Consultants LLC, to support the party’s goals for “good relations with the United States and the Pakistani diaspora in the US.” The contract was signed on 21st February for a period of six months, according to the documents filed with the US Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. PTI USA, which is based in New York, is the principal client of the lobbying firm. The firm has been hired for a period of six months at the cost of $8,333.00 per month.

“During the term of this agreement, the firm shall provide expert advice regarding the client’s relationship with the United States government and institutions. Furthermore, the firm shall organise meetings with several key US decision makers and will provide guidance in terms of the content of the meetings,” the contract states. Additionally, the agreement will continue for an additional six months till January 31st, 2024, if both parties have no objections and provide written approval thereto by June 30, 2023. Last year, the PTI hired a lobbying and PR firm, Fenton/Arlook, to provide public relations services, including but not limited to distributing information to and briefing journalists, placing articles and broadcasts, arranging interviews with representatives or supporters of PTI, advising on social media efforts and other such public relations services. Fenton/Arlook was hired at the cost of $25,000 per month. The News contacted PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry to seek his comment over the report but he did not respond.

The News PK

 

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Climate Minister Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday came down hard on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) for taking a “U-turn” on its anti-US rhetoric as the latter reportedly hired a private US consulting firm, Praia Consultants, to promote the party’s image and improve ties with the US.

In a flurry of tweets, the minister said the signing of the agreement with the US lobbying firm exposed the PTI’s “double standards and hypocrisy”.


The federal minister said that many countries appoint lobbyists, and so do political parties, but this case was particularly bizarre because it came from a party that attempted to pose itself as a [political] martyr of the “US meddling”.

“If that was the case, why are they now locked in a desperate attempt to buy the influence of the US decision-makers after the failure of the ‘Cipher Conspiracy’ narrative and earlier lobbying efforts? PTI’s double standards and U-turns have been exposed many times,” she said.

Also read: ‘It’s behind me’: Imran Khan takes a U-turn on ‘US conspiracy’ narrative

“Now, they are constantly taking the services of lobbying companies for their publicity in the US. His [Imran Khan] concocted narrative has been exposed numerous times that show he was planning to ‘play’ with Pakistan’s interests for his own personal politics,” she alleged.

The minister continued, “Despite previously blaming the US for their ouster from power, the PTI hired an American lobbying firm Fentone Arlook LLC in October of last year, only to quickly backtrack on their criticism of the US within a month. It’s now apparent that hiring of lobbyists is not with Pakistan’s interests and integrity in mind, but rather as a means to influence the country’s domestic politics for their own gain. This brazen use of self-interest above national interest is a clear indication of PTI’s willingness to compromise Pakistan’s interests for the sake of their own political agenda.”

According to the agreement, it allows the consulting firm to arrange meetings between the PTI leaders and US decision-makers, and to provide guidance on the content of these meetings.

The minister highlighted that normally political parties engage in lobbying for improving relations between the two countries, but it’s the opposite case here.

“What makes PTI different from others is the sheer hypocrisy of their actions. They [PTI] have actively campaigned against foreign influence in the past, while engaging in it themselves. Imran Khan must answer for his false narrative of an American conspiracy against him, which he peddled for months before suddenly retracting. His actions have impacted Pakistan’s foreign policy and image, and it is time for him to take responsibility for the damage caused, for which we are still paying. This Ciphergate scandal compromised Pakistan’s foreign relations with its key partners, which showed that Imran Khan is willing to sacrifice anything for personal gain and power.”

The agreements between PTI-USA and the consulting firms are publicly available on the US Department of Justice Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) website and can be examined by anyone.

“The people of Pakistan have the right to know who is representing them and what interests they are promoting. It is time for PTI to answer over their ‘two-faced behaviour’ and be held accountable for the showcasing fault lines between their words and deeds,” said the minister.

Express Tribune

 

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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif slammed PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Friday for “flirting” with the American government after accusing it of conspiracy and claimed that the former prime minister’s “cult following would soon fizzle out”.

The minister passed these remarks during a conversation with foreign media correspondents in Islamabad today. The interaction comes as Pakistan grapples with multiple crises on the political and economical front.

Asif began the press conference by pointing out the “hypocrisy” of the incumbent setup’s arch-rival Imran. “His political journey started with a cypher — in which he had accused the US of conspiring against the PTI government.

“And today, Shireen Mazari has written a letter to the US for him […] the country he once accused of conspiracy … he is now seeking help from them,” he stated.

Asif claimed that the series of events that have taken place after the vote of no-confidence “shows the total sum of Imran’s journey — his dismissal from the government and now his SOS to the US for help”.

He stated that Imran’s lies had surfaced in front of everyone during the past few years. “He was accusing the US of conspiring against him, even taking names, but now he is once again flirting with the American government through lobbyists and approaching them for some sort of aid and help.”

“His utterances are completely irrational … perhaps his followers do believe him but most people have lost track of whatever he says,” the minister said, referring to Imran’s supporters as “cult followers”.

 

[MenInG]

Former prime minister Imran Khan has spoken to four US lawmakers in less than a month, urging them to support his demand for free and fair elections in Pakistan, according to the PTI’s US chapter.

All four legislators — Ted Lieu, Eric Swalwell, Brad Sherman, and Mike Levin — are Democrats, which indicates PTI’s interest in mending its ties with the current Democratic administration.

Adviser to the PTI Chairman for Overseas Affairs Atif Khan told Dawn that the talks focused on “the need to hold only free and fair elections can stabilise Pakistan, as only elections can stabilise the country.”

Atif Khan said that the party was using “all three channels, the media, Congress and the administration, to convey its message: stop human rights violations in Pakistan, support rule of law and democratic values, and support the demand for elections”.

 

[daytrader]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From accusing the United States of toppling his government to now wooing the US to mend fences, Imran Niazi's hypocrisy knows no bounds. In the process, his lies & lust for power have imperiled Pakistan's vital foreign policy interests.</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1646399419040903169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[daytrader]

Not lobbying for Imran Khan, say US lawmaker, diplomat

A senior US lawmaker, Brad Sherman, has said that former prime minister Imran Khan has assured him that he was not against America.

Mr Sherman, a Democrat Congressman from California, and the chief negotiator of the US-Taliban deal have both rejected the suggestion that they support former Mr Khan’s campaign for regaining power.

Mr Sherman, however, confirmed that he spoke with Mr Khan recently and shared with him his concerns over alleged human rights violations in Pakistan.

In that telephone call, Mr Khan told him that “he believes in the rule of law” and wants good relations with the United States, Mr Sherman said in an interview to VOA Urdu this weekend.

Last week, Mr Sherman wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, asking him to “use all diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anybody who may be responsible”.

Like Mr Sherman, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated the US-Taliban deal, also rejected the impression that he was lobbying for Imran Khan. Recently, Mr Khalilzad released several tweets, condemning alleged human rights violations in Pakistan and calling for fresh elections.

Earlier this week, former president Asif Zardari told a Pakistani TV channel that Mr Khalilzad was doing so because “someone might have acquired his services” and that’s why he was supporting Imran Khan.

Mr Khalilzad used Twitter to respond to Mr Zardari’s allegation as well. “I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one’s agent,” he wrote.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1748090

 

[daytrader]

66 US lawmakers urge Blinken to push for ‘democracy’ in Pakistan

As many as 66 US lawmakers have urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to push for democracy and human rights in Pakistan, although the Biden administration is still reluctant to take sides in the current political dispute.

“We write to express our concerns about the current situation in Pakistan and urge you to use all diplomatic tools at your disposal to pressure the government of Pakistan towards a greater commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter they sent to Secretary Blinken.

The lawmakers also urged Blinken to persuade Islamabad to “investigate any infringement upon freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in Pakistan”.

But at a series of recent news briefings in Washington, the US State Department made it clear that Washington would not favour one political party or candidate in Pakistan over another.

“You have heard me say this a number of times now, for the past few weeks, but I will use this opportunity to say again that we do not choose a political party or a particular candidate when it comes to Pakistan,” the department’s spokesperson Vedant Patel had said.

Responding to a journalist who raised the issue again on Tuesday, he said: “As it relates to Pakistan, our view is that a strong, stable, prosperous Pakistan is key to a strong and stable US-Pakistan relationship.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistani American Political Action Committee (PAKPAC), which initiated the move, has commended the 66 lawmakers for writing the letter to Secretary Blinken.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1754276/66-us-lawmakers-urge-blinken-to-push-for-democracy-in-pakistan