A lobbying disclosure filed in Washington in May 2025 under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) outlines Pakistan’s proposed framework for renewing bilateral relations with the United States, focusing on counter-terrorism cooperation, trade and investment, financial modernization, and regional geopolitics.
The filing was submitted by Squire Patton Boggs, which states that it is acting as a registered agent on behalf of the Pakistan government. The materials were received by the U.S. Department of Justice’s FARA Registration Unit on May 15, 2025 .
Outreach to U.S. Officials
The document includes correspondence from Paul W. Jones, now an adviser at Squire Patton Boggs, to a U.S. State Department official. In the email, the firm explicitly acknowledges its status as a registered foreign agent and seeks feedback on a one-page outline titled “A Renewed Pakistan–United States Relationship” .
The communication also requests engagement on U.S. policy perspectives, including discussion related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Security and Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
Security cooperation is a central theme of the filing. The document states that Pakistan is prepared to “double down” on counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States.
It specifically references Pakistan’s role in arresting and expelling to the U.S. the individual responsible for the Abbey Gate ISIS attack, which killed 13 American soldiers. The filing notes that this action was publicly acknowledged by U.S. President Donald Trump in a March 2025 address to a joint session of Congress .
The document further states that Pakistan is prepared to:
- Do more with the United States against ISIS
- Assist in retrieving U.S. military weapons and equipment left behind in Afghanistan that are now being used to destabilize Pakistan
- Seek greater U.S. collaboration against the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which the 2025 U.S. DNI Annual Threat Assessment cited as a potential threat
No claims beyond these statements appear in the filing.
Trade, Investment and Market Access
On the economic front, the filing emphasizes Pakistan’s recognition of fair global trade and its willingness to help balance trade with the United States.
It states that Pakistan is prepared to:
- Purchase significantly more U.S. exports, including agricultural and energy products
- Lower tariffs on U.S. goods
- Facilitate large U.S. investments through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), jointly chaired by Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief
The document notes that Pakistan’s goods trade surplus with the U.S. is under US$3 billion, arguing that trade could be quickly balanced .
Critical Minerals and Strategic Resources
The filing highlights Pakistan’s extensive reserves of copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, describing them as valued in the trillions of dollars.
Pakistan proposes a bilateral critical minerals agreement with the United States, framing it as beneficial to U.S. national security and Pakistan’s economic development, particularly in the context of strategic supply chains .
Financial Modernization and Reform
Pakistan’s largely cash-based economy is described as “poised for digitization,” offering opportunities for U.S. fintech and broadband companies.
The filing references:
- Commitments to taxation, energy, and state-owned enterprise reforms
- Improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook
- A recent sovereign credit rating upgrade discussed during Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s April 2025 visit to Washington
Geopolitical Positioning
Politically, the document stresses that Pakistan seeks a bilateral relationship with the United States that stands on its own merits, not dependent on U.S. relations with neighboring countries.
It states that Pakistan’s relationship with China does not inhibit offering economic and counter-terrorism opportunities to the U.S., and that U.S.–India relations should not constrain stronger U.S.–Pakistan ties. The filing also references Pakistan’s actions against Iranian-backed terrorist separatists and calls for further coordination with Washington .
Why the Filing Matters
FARA filings are disclosure documents and do not imply misconduct. However, they provide a rare, official record of how foreign governments present their priorities to U.S. policymakers.
This 2025 filing offers a detailed snapshot of Pakistan’s strategic messaging in Washington at a time of shifting regional security dynamics and evolving U.S. global priorities.
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