ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has hired the services of a Washigton based Public Relations firm at a cost of $25,000 per month amidst reports that the party seeks to mend fences with the United States.
It emerged just after a report claimed a contact between PTI Chief Imran Khan and US Ambassador in Pakistan via video link.
“Fenton/Arlook shall provide public relations services, including but not limited to distributing information to and briefing journalists, placing articles and broadcasts, arranging interviews with representatives or supporters of PTI, advising on social media efforts and other such public relations services,” the agreement
available on Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), US department of Justice reads.
For this work Fenton/Arlook will charge a monthly retainer fee of $25,000 plus expenses. Payment of 2 months of fees in advance, or $50,000, plus an expense advance of $5,000 is due on or before August 10th, 2022, to cover work in August and September, 2022,” it further read.
“Subsequent fee payments of $25,000 will be due October 1, 2022, and then the 1st of every subsequent month ending with a payment January 1, 2023.
Expenses will be billed monthly and payable upon submission of evidence, i.e. a valid receipt. These will include any necessary travel to Pakistan or domestically in business class, any legal fees associated with FARA registration and compliance, distribution of news releases through paid services, and other such actual out of pocket expenses.
Any requested advertising will be subject to an additional fee and ad costs must be paid fully in advance before placement”, it reads.
It also says that David Fenton, Ira Arlook, Fenton/Arlook LLC and its designees, and their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, vendors, subcontractors, attorneys and agents, shall be indemnified, reimbursed, held harmless and defended from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, liabilities, losses and expenses (including, without limitation, the disbursements, expenses and fees of their respective attorneys) that may be imposed upon, incurred by, or asserted against any of them, or any of their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, attorneys or agents, arising out of or related directly or indirectly to this Agreement.
Client further indemnifies Fenton from any action arising out of any verbal representation about Client, press releases or other written materials, provided Fenton has obtained Client’s prior verbal or written approval.
This paragraph, insofar as it applies to work undertaken while this agreement is in effect, shall survive the termination of this agreement.
Interestingly, the services of the same company had been hired by Pakistan in June last year and then in March this year when the PTI was in power.
“I have never had any doubt that Imran Khan has hundred faces. What he poses and professes is a smoke screen.
Behind this smoke screen is the face of an ego maniac, narcissist & selfish person, PML-N leader and Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal tweeted.
“He is now begging USA by all means whether sending emissaries or engaging lobbyists”, he said.
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