The Pakistani military has formally offered to assist the United States in recovering American weapons and military equipment left behind in Afghanistan, according to official documents filed in Washington by Pakistan’s registered lobbyists.
In 2025, Islamabad adopted a new and expanded strategy aimed at resetting its relationship with the United States. Documents submitted under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) indicate that Pakistan has significantly increased its lobbying presence in Washington and has delivered written proposals to U.S. officials outlining areas of security, economic, and political cooperation.
According to the filings, which were transmitted to U.S. government institutions through Washington-based lobbying firms, Pakistan has expressed readiness to take “practical steps” to improve bilateral relations.
The security component of the proposals places particular emphasis on counterterrorism cooperation. The documents state that Pakistan is prepared to deepen coordination with the United States and, notably, to assist in the recovery of U.S. military weapons and equipment that remained in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces in 2021.
The offer comes amid ongoing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, as well as increasing political and economic instability within Pakistan. Analysts note that these pressures appear to have encouraged Pakistan to re-engage Washington by leveraging its military and security role in the region.
Contrary to earlier assumptions, Pakistan is not relying on a single lobbying firm. As of November 2025, Pakistan has engaged between seven and thirteen U.S. lobbying and advisory firms, according to FARA disclosures. The expansion began in early 2025 and accelerated following Donald Trump’s re-election, alongside rising regional tensions involving India and Afghanistan.
The combined cost of these lobbying efforts is estimated to be in the millions of dollars annually.
The firms involved are tasked with engaging U.S. government agencies, Congress, and senior political circles, while also promoting economic cooperation, attracting American investment—particularly in mining and critical minerals—and advancing Pakistan’s policy positions in Washington.
