Lobbyists Pursue Assurances of U.S. Aid to Pakistan after bin Laden Deathn

Within hours of the stunning announcement that Usama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. commandos, a lobbying firm representing Pakistan's government began contacting members of

Congress and their staffs to counter claims Islamabad protected the al Qaeda chief for nearly six years.

The push by Locke Lord Strategies to turn the tide against criticism of Pakistan -- and preserve the country's billions of dollars in U.S. aid -- illustrates one of Washington's enduring realities: No matter the issue or the crisis, lobbyists are working behind the scenes to shape opinions on Capitol Hill.

At stake is the continued flow of U.S. economic aid and military support to Pakistan, America's iffy partner in the fight against terrorism and religious extremism. Congress is not expected to shut off the nearly $3 billion in assistance planned for 2012. Despite deep misgivings, the U.S. does not want to allow Pakistan to become unstable and risk having its nuclear arsenal fall into the hands of Islamic radicals.

But bin Laden's nearly six-year stay at a compound in a military garrison town outside Pakistan's capital has left Locke Lord's lobbying team with plenty of explaining to do.

The relationship between the two countries was badly strained even before a team of Navy SEALs stormed bin Laden's home Monday, local time. His body was buried at sea just hours later. Republicans and Democrats are angry that bin Laden found a safe harbor in Pakistan and want a painstaking review of how the money that goes there is spent.