Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party has reportedly hired a firm for lobbying in the United States to make authorities aware of the threats faced by Pakistan’s former prime minister.

Dawn newspaper, quoting a senior party leader, reported that the PTI’s US unit signed a contract with a Washington-based lobbying firm, Praia Consultants LLC, on February 21 this year. The contract will be valid for six months and can be renewed for another six-month term with mutual consent.

The New York-based PTI unit will pay $8,333 per month to the US firm. Under the contract, the firm “shall provide expert advice regarding the client’s relationship with the US government and institutions”.

The firm shall also “organise meetings with several key US decision-makers and will provide guidance in terms of the content of the meetings”.

The details of the agreement were revealed only on Wednesday, a month after the contract was signed after Pakistan’s former US ambassador Hussain Haqqani posted a copy of the contract on his Twitter handle.

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اندرون مُلک بیانیہ ہے کہ امریکہ سے “حقیقی آزادی” چاہئیے۔ اُدھر امریکہ میں لابئسٹوں کو ڈالروں میں ادائیگیاں جاری ہیں۔ عمران خان کی پی ٹی آئی نے امریکہ میں ایک اور لابئیسٹ ہائر کر لیا۔ 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/g0vaFzFHA5">pic.twitter.com/g0vaFzFHA5</a>
— Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) <a href="https://twitter.com/husainhaqqani/status/1638503568134090754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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This prompted strong reactions from the adviser to the PTI chairman on overseas affairs, Atif Khan, who then publicly acknowledged the contract.

“What we are paying the firm, does not come from Pakistan. It’s our money that we are spending to protect Imran Khan,” he wrote.

“The firm will help us in making Americans aware of the threat to Khan’s life,” he told Dawn.

The need to hire a lobbying firm to repair relations between Khan and the Biden administration marks a departure from the party’s previous policy where Washington has been blamed for the cricketer-turned-politician’s ouster from the government in April last year.

With this, the PTI hopes to win over the sympathies for the former prime minister in Washington where he is believed to be unpopular.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party has reportedly hired a firm for lobbying in the United States to make authorities aware of the threats faced by Pakistan’s former prime minister.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party has reportedly hired a firm for lobbying in the United States to make authorities aware of the threats faced by Pakistan’s former prime minister. Dawn newspaper, quoting a senior party leader, reported that the PTI’s US unit signed a contract with a Washington-based lobbying firm, Praia Consultants LLC, on February 21 this year. The contract will be valid for six months and can be renewed for another six-month term with mutual consent. The New York-based PTI unit will pay $8,333 per month to the US firm. Under the contract, the firm “shall provide expert advice regarding the client’s relationship with the US government and institutions”. The firm shall also “organise meetings with several key US decision-makers and will provide guidance in terms of the content of the meetings”. The details of the agreement were revealed only on Wednesday, a month after the contract was signed after Pakistan’s former US ambassador Hussain Haqqani posted a copy of the contract on his Twitter handle. اندرون مُلک بیانیہ ہے کہ امریکہ سے “حقیقی آزادی” چاہئیے۔ اُدھر امریکہ میں لابئسٹوں کو ڈالروں میں ادائیگیاں جاری ہیں۔ عمران خان کی پی ٹی آئی نے امریکہ میں ایک اور لابئیسٹ ہائر کر لیا۔ 🤔 pic.twitter.com/g0vaFzFHA5 — Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) March 22, 2023 × This prompted strong reactions from the adviser to the PTI chairman on overseas affairs, Atif Khan, who then publicly acknowledged the contract. “What we are paying the firm, does not come from Pakistan. It’s our money that we are spending to protect Imran Khan,” he wrote. “The firm will help us in making Americans aware of the threat to Khan’s life,” he told Dawn. The need to hire a lobbying firm to repair relations between Khan and the Biden administration marks a departure from the party’s previous policy where Washington has been blamed for the cricketer-turned-politician’s ouster from the government in April last year. With this, the PTI hopes to win over the sympathies for the former prime minister in Washington where he is believed to be unpopular. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan: Imran Khan’s party PTI hires US lobbying firm to win over Washington pessimists

In June, Amazon declared that it will no longer test employees for cannabis use in the majority of positions.

The corporation announced today that it is taking a step further and has begun lobbying the US government to make marijuana legal across the country.

Amazon also announced that it will reinstate the eligibility of terminated employees and candidates who failed drug tests throughout the employment process.

Beth Galetti, Amazon's head of human resources, outlined three reasons for the changes in a blog post.

To begin with, First, the jumble of conflicting city and state marijuana regulations makes it impossible for huge corporations to develop a sensible policy. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-to-test-if-cannabis-based-mouth-spray-can-treat-brain-tumours-402684">Also read | Researchers to test if cannabis-based mouth spray can treat brain tumours</a>

Second, the corporation is aware that persons of colour have been disproportionately harmed by drug testing.&nbsp;

But it's the last and third reason she gives that may be the most explaining: "Amazon's rapid expansion means we're always seeking for talented new team members, and we've found that removing pre-employment cannabis testing allows us to increase our application pool," Galetti wrote.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musk-smokes-weed-during-podcast-tesla-accountant-resigns-as-stocks-crash-164307">Also read | Musk smokes weed during podcast; Tesla accountant resigns as stocks crash</a>

According to Business Insider, Amazon senior VP of human resources Beth Galetti remarked, "We've discovered that eliminating pre-employment cannabis testing allows us to widen our application pool."

According to records obtained by Insider in July, Amazon spent $5 million on lobbying in the second quarter. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-anti-doping-agency-to-review-cannabis-ban-for-athletes-413132">Also read | World Anti-Doping Agency to review cannabis ban for athletes</a>

Amazon just joined a different hiring campaign earlier this month, revealing that it would begin subsidising college tuition for the majority of its 750,00 employees in January, with support commencing 90 days after hire at authorised colleges.

GED and ESL competence certifications will also be covered under the Career Choice programme.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In June, Amazon declared that it will no longer test employees for cannabis use in the majority of positions. The corporation announced today that it is taking a step further and has begun lobbying the US government to make marijuana legal across the country.

In June, Amazon declared that it will no longer test employees for cannabis use in the majority of positions. The corporation announced today that it is taking a step further and has begun lobbying the US government to make marijuana legal across the country. Amazon also announced that it will reinstate the eligibility of terminated employees and candidates who failed drug tests throughout the employment process. Beth Galetti, Amazon's head of human resources, outlined three reasons for the changes in a blog post. To begin with, First, the jumble of conflicting city and state marijuana regulations makes it impossible for huge corporations to develop a sensible policy. Also read | Researchers to test if cannabis-based mouth spray can treat brain tumours Second, the corporation is aware that persons of colour have been disproportionately harmed by drug testing. But it's the last and third reason she gives that may be the most explaining: "Amazon's rapid expansion means we're always seeking for talented new team members, and we've found that removing pre-employment cannabis testing allows us to increase our application pool," Galetti wrote. Also read | Musk smokes weed during podcast; Tesla accountant resigns as stocks crash According to Business Insider, Amazon senior VP of human resources Beth Galetti remarked, "We've discovered that eliminating pre-employment cannabis testing allows us to widen our application pool." According to records obtained by Insider in July, Amazon spent $5 million on lobbying in the second quarter. Also read | World Anti-Doping Agency to review cannabis ban for athletes Amazon just joined a different hiring campaign earlier this month, revealing that it would begin subsidising college tuition for the majority of its 750,00 employees in January, with support commencing 90 days after hire at authorised colleges. GED and ESL competence certifications will also be covered under the Career Choice programme. (With inputs from agencies)

Legalising weed: Here's why Amazon is lobbying the US government

Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. 
 
Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. 
 
Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. 
 
The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. 
 
&quot;Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort,&quot; said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. 
 
Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. 
 
&quot;Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is,&quot; the official added. 
 
&quot;In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in DC&quot;. 
 
A second government official in the prime minister&#39;s media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to &quot;sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States&quot;. 
 
The official added, &quot;We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap.&quot; 
 
Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. 
 
Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs.&nbsp; 
 
Some jets in Pakistan&#39;s fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. 
 
It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan. 
(Reuters)

Move comes after fatal US drone strike inside Pakistan on top Afghan Taliban leader, and muliti-million dollar fighter jet bid fell through

Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. "Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort," said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. "Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is," the official added. "In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in DC". A second government official in the prime minister's media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to "sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States". The official added, "We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap." Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs. Some jets in Pakistan's fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan. (Reuters)

Pakistan to hire Washington lobbying firms for first time in 8 years to improve relations with America

&nbsp;Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. 
 
Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. 
 
Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. 
 
The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. 
 
&quot;Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort,&quot; said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. 
 
Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. 
 
&quot;Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is,&quot; the official added. 
 
&quot;In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in D.C.&quot; 
 
A second government official in the prime minister&#39;s media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to &quot;sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States&quot;. 
 
The official added, &quot;We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap.&quot; 
 
Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. 
 
Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs.&nbsp; 
 
Some jets in Pakistan&#39;s fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. 
 
It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan.

The move comes to improve the strained relations between Pakistan and the US following the death of the top Afghan leader by a US drone

Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. "Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort," said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. "Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is," the official added. "In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in D.C." A second government official in the prime minister's media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to "sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States". The official added, "We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap." Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs. Some jets in Pakistan's fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan.

Pakistan to hire Washington lobbying firms after 8 years