BKSH & Associates
BKSH is a lobbying subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller
Pakistan
On 4 September 2007, Pakistan's The News wrote[1]:
- The better half of the chairman of one of the lobbying firms former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has hired in the United States is a leading member of American observers who will monitor the forthcoming general elections in Pakistan.
Charlie Black, chairman of the BKSH & Associates, is lobbying for Benazir in the United States, a source told The News. His wife, Judy Black, being board member of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), is responsible for training, financing and monitoring the upcoming parliamentary polls in Pakistan as US observer.
Benazir has hired two influential American companies, BKSH & Associates and Penn Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB), to urge the Bush Administration to ensure free, open and transparent elections in Pakistan during 2007.
The contract, which runs through June 2007, is said to be worth $250,000 for six months. These lobbyists are assigned to promote the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s views on current political situation in Pakistan to the members of the Bush Administration, Congress, think tanks, business elite and media.
…
However, he did not know as to whether Benazir makes payment from her pocket or from party fund. She has learnt the secret how to please Uncle Sam and his influential media men, who have mastery on portraying the worst as the best and vice versa. Least bothered about public opinion in Pakistan, her only worry is how to woo the Americans. Her ambition plans clearly is directed to win the US influential circles.
What is curious about this news item is the fact that Bhutto has hired consultants/PR groups that have a long history in manipulating the political process. IFES has been active in Pakistan for a long time, and their activities range from the usual "election monitoring" to organizing civic groups. PSB is another dubious operator best know to issue political survey results within a few days before or after an election. PSB's surveys can be used to validate a dodgy election, or to cast doubt over legitimate ones. What is also curious about the news item is that the use of these PR organizations has much with pleasing the US, and do not fulfill a function in Pakistan.
