Washington records reveal Islamabad’s desperate attempts to stop India
Newly released official documents from Washington have exposed a massive, behind-the-scenes diplomatic scramble by Pakistan. During the height of India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025, Islamabad reportedly launched an intense campaign to convince the United States to intervene and halt New Delhi’s military actions. These revelations, coming from the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings, show that Pakistani officials were in a state of high alert as Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure across the border.
The scale of this lobbying effort was unprecedented. Records show that Pakistani diplomats and military representatives engaged in over 60 high-level interactions within a very short window. These weren't just casual conversations; they included emails, urgent phone calls, and face-to-face meetings with senior American lawmakers, Pentagon officials, and influential journalists. The primary goal was simple: get Washington to "somehow stop" India’s retaliatory strikes.
The Trigger: Pahalgam and India's Firm Response
To understand the desperation in Islamabad, one must look at the events of early 2025. A brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 people. India’s response was swift and decisive. Under the banner of Operation Sindoor, the Indian military launched precision strikes against terror launch pads, training camps, and logistics centers. Unlike previous operations, this mission also targeted specific airbases that were providing cover to militant networks.
As the Indian military gained momentum, Pakistan felt the heat on the battlefield. The FARA filings suggest that while Islamabad was publicly downplaying the damage, they were privately pleading with the US to rein in New Delhi. The lobbying push even covered topics like rare earth minerals and regional trade, likely used as "sweeteners" to gain favor with the Trump administration.
A Multi-Million Dollar Influence Campaign
This wasn't just a diplomatic effort; it was a high-priced corporate strategy. By November 2025, reports indicated that Pakistan had signed contracts with six major US lobbying firms. The cost? Approximately $5 million annually. This massive investment was designed to bypass traditional diplomatic hurdles and get direct access to top US leadership.
The strategy appeared to yield some results. Shortly after finalizing a deal with a prominent law firm, Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was hosted at the White House. For analysts, this meeting was a clear sign that Pakistan’s "pay-to-play" lobbying was working to open doors that had previously been shut. In fact, during the critical months of April and May, Pakistan’s spending on US influence significantly outpaced India’s.
Truth vs. Narrative
Despite the intense lobbying and official denials, the physical reality on the ground told a different story. While Pakistan claimed India's strikes caused minimal damage, high-resolution satellite imagery told the truth. Independent analysts released photos showing flattened militant structures and significant damage to hangars and runways at key Pakistani airbases.
These visual proofs contradicted the narrative Islamabad was trying to sell in Washington. It became clear that Operation Sindoor had achieved its military objectives, leaving Pakistan with no choice but to use every diplomatic and financial resource available to seek a ceasefire.
Today, these disclosures serve as a reminder of the complex "shadow war" fought in the corridors of power in Washington. While the guns eventually fell silent after a four-day escalation, the records of Pakistan’s frantic outreach highlight just how much pressure India’s military response placed on its neighbor. For the people of India, and specifically observers in Odisha who follow national security closely, these documents provide a rare look at the diplomatic panic that follows a strong Indian military stance.
