Mergers & Acquisitions; Restructuring

• Restructuring of a family group with interests in multiple sectors, comprising of private companies, companies listed on the stock exchange, unlisted public companies and joint-ventures

• Advised on the restructuring of companies involved in a well-known fast food franchisee’s business in Pakistan

• Advised a foreign global investor in the acquisition of a Pakistan company engaged in pest control services and also carried out a due diligence on the local targeted entities

• Advised the branch of a publishing company in Pakistan in setting up a separate company and its subsequent merger with a Pakistani company

• Advised a local bank on the potential acquisition of a local bank (a majority owned subsidiary of a Financial Group of Saudi Arabia)

• Carried out a due diligence exercise and advised on the potential acquisition of a local foods business by a global FMCG company

• Carried out a due diligence exercise and advised on the potential acquisition of the entire shareholding of a company engaged in the business of cattle and poultry feed and the transaction structure

• Carried out a due diligence exercise and advised on the potential acquisition of a majority stake in a Pakistani spices manufacturing company by a global FMCG company

Banking & Project Finance

• Advised foreign lenders and a consortium of Pakistani banks in relation to financing extended to Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company for the construction, operation and maintenance of a 3.8 Mt/a coal mine at Thar Coal Mine Block II and for the expansion of the coal mine to 7.6 Mt/a and its subsequent phases and milestones

• Advising foreign lenders in relation to financing extended to Engro Powergen Thar Limited for the construction, operation, management and maintenance of a 2×330 MW mine mouth coal-fired thermal power project at Thar Coal Mine Block II

• Advised a consortium led by a state-owned multinational upstream oil and gas company acquiring working interest in undeveloped acreage for exploration and production of oil in Abu Dhabi and for setting up of a SPV

Corporate & Commercial

• Advise local and international clients on matters related to the setting up of and incorporation of private companies, not for profit organizations, branch and liaison offices, anti-trust, corporate governance, project financing, banking and financing including microfinance banking, foreign exchange regulations, arbitration, labour laws, property matters, rent laws, cyber and media laws and due diligence exercises in various sectors including minerals, banking, beverages, consumer goods, steel, private equity, luxury goods, retail, real estate

• Advise on general commercial contracts including licensing (including copyright licensing) and franchising agreements, leases, employment contracts (including work for hire) supply and distribution agreements

• Acted for law firms and advisors internationally in undertaking due diligence exercises for local companies in relation to investments

• Advise on local compliance, including with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Competition Commission of Pakistan, Board of Investment and other regulators

• Advised a global client in the information technology industry in relation to the establishment and operations of a liaison office in Pakistan

• Advising the local franchisee of a well-known American-based multinational fast-food chain in relation to its franchise business

Anti-trust

• Advising clients in relation to anti-trust matters and responding to enquiries from the Competition Commission

• Advising and assisting clients in preparing, applying for and securing pre-merger clearance from the Competition Commission of Pakistan in relation to mergers and acquisitions under the competition laws

• Advising and assisting clients in preparing, applying and securing exemptions from the Competition Commission of Pakistan in relation to prohibited agreements under the competition laws

• Advising and assisting clients in preparing, filing and pursuing complaints before the Competition Commission of Pakistan in relation to deceptive marketing practices

Intellectual Property

• Advising on all aspects of brand management and protection including advising and assisting with portfolio strategy, registrations and brand protection, management, enforcement and dispute management for local and international clients belonging to various sectors including confectionaries, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, publishers and not for profit organizations, including with respect to:

• filing and pursuing oppositions, rectification and invalidation actions before the Trade Marks Registry and Copyright Office in Pakistan

• acting in and advising clients in relation to Intellectual Property litigation matters, such as preparing and pursuing civil actions for infringement, passing off and unfair competition and exploring settlement options before the Tribunals and Courts

• advising clients in relation to border control measures, including initiating and pursuing enforcement actions before Customs Authorities

• advising on the enforceability of domain names through civil actions and/or administrative proceedings under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy

Not-for-Profit

• Advising and assisting clients on the establishment of various forms of not for profit organizations and assisting them in relation to their day to day operations as required under the various laws and subsequent registrations

• Recognized as a Rising Star by the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) Rising Star program 2023

• Currently serving as a member of INTA’s Trademark Reporter Committee

• Co-chair of the Opposition and Harmonization Task Force of the International Trademarks Association (INTA) Enforcement Committee (2022-2023)

• Member of the International Trademarks Association (INTA) Enforcement Committee for two consecutive terms (2020-2023)

• Contributed regularly to the Competition and Antitrust Newsletter for the International Law Office (ILO)

• Contributed to journals published by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation in connection with cross-border investments in Pakistan

• Sindh Bar Council

• Sindh High Court Bar Association

• Karachi Bar Association

• International Trademarks Association (INTA)

• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)

• Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA)