Joy hires US lobbying firm tied to Trump for Tk2.4cr

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has hired the prominent Washington DC lobbying firm, Stryk Global Diplomacy (SGD), with the target to influence US policymakers.

Joy signed a six-month contract with SGD, paying $200,000 upfront (Tk2.4 crore), reports Netra News.

In return, the lobbyists will "engage with the executive and legislative branches of the US government to provide a unique insight on the current issues facing Bangladesh".

The agreement and an amendment were filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) on 12 September, through Wazed Consulting Inc, a company owned entirely by Joy. 

The lobbying firm, led by Christian Bourge and Robert Stryk, has deep ties to former US president Donald Trump, with both having served as advisers during his 2016 campaign.

Joy's hiring of SGD (formerly Sonoran Policy Group) follows a history of engaging US lobbyists.

In 2005, he paid $7,20,000 to Alcalde & Fay on behalf of the US Awami League. At that time, Rep Gary Ackerman had expressed concern over Bangladesh's political direction, comparing it to Pakistan under General Musharraf and warning that mainstream parties' weakening could bolster Islamist forces.

Following the ouster of his mother, Joy has emerged as the spokesperson of the Awami League while most leaders of the party are either in hiding or in jail. Given Joy's recent public statements, these efforts may focus on portraying a post-Awami League Bangladesh as being overrun by Islamist extremists.

The Awami League government fell on 5 August in the face of widespread protests and Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee to India.