Pakistan’s ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), has reportedly hired a new media relations and lobbying firm in the United States ahead of the upcoming general elections in Pakistan. Atif Khan, the PTI US leader, confirmed this development during an online session with Sher Afzal Marwat and Dr. Moeed Pirzada. The new PR firm will be responsible for monitoring the elections and engaging with both US and international media outlets.
According to Atif Khan, the PR firm has signed a three-month contract to observe and monitor the elections scheduled for February 8, 2024. The firm will collaborate with mainstream US media organizations to highlight any irregularities that may occur during the electoral process.
Furthermore, PTI USA has also hired a lobbying firm to monitor human rights violations and election-related matters. Atif Khan emphasized the importance of bringing these issues to the attention of the international community. He expressed disappointment towards the US State Department’s stance on human rights violations in Pakistan, stating that PTI will make efforts to make the happenings in Pakistan global news.
Speculation has arisen regarding the new PR firm’s involvement in an article penned by PTI’s former founder Imran Khan. The article, published in The Economist, accused the US government and the Pakistani military of conspiring to remove him from power due to his refusal to allow foreign bases inside Pakistan.
This is not the first time PTI has sought external assistance in the realm of media relations and lobbying. In July 2021, PTI hired Grenier Consulting LLC, an American consultancy firm led by Robert Laurent Grenier, a former CIA station chief in Islamabad. Grenier Consulting was tasked with lobbying for the party during their time in power. The contract, signed secretly by PTI leader Iftikhar Durrani, caused controversy as it was signed without the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Law and Justice Ministry.
After the PTI government was ousted in April 2022, PTI-USA Inc, a subsidiary of PTI, turned to Fenton/Arlook, another lobbying firm, to provide public relations services. This included briefing journalists, placing articles, arranging interviews, and advising on social media efforts. The firm successfully contacted numerous US and Western media organizations, securing interviews for Imran Khan and generating news stories that reflected PTI’s narrative.
As PTI gears up for the forthcoming general elections, their decision to hire a new media relations and lobbying firm in the US indicates the party’s commitment to effectively engaging with the media and monitoring the electoral process. The move also demonstrates PTI’s efforts to highlight human rights violations and seek international support in addressing these issues.
