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Haidermota & Co’s highly regarded team advises on all aspects of funds and securities matters, including advising various clients on the flotation of open-ended and closed-ended funds and non-banking finance companies. The firm has also recently advised on several term finance certificates (TFCs). Khozem Haidermota and Ali Akber Vasi are recommended.

Liaquat Merchant Associates recently advised a large national bank in its capacity as a trustee of a large mutual fund regarding shares the bank holds in trust. The matter included advising on rights and obligations of parties involved and ultimately on the sale of the shares. The firm also advised on a derivative transaction between two public companies, looking at its validity under the ISDA master agreement. Faresa Ahsan and Liaquat Merchant are recommended.

Mandviwalla & Zafar’s main focus is on regulatory matters, and it regularly advises the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan on the drafting of laws and regulations. Recent work includes advising on a derivatives master agreement for SBP.

RIAA Law advises international clients on the establishment and operation of stock options in Pakistan. Clients include Barclays and GDF Suez. Domestically, it advised Oil and Gas Development Corporation Ltd on the government taking a stake in the company as well as on the issuance of exchangeable bonds. The firm is also known for its regulatory compliance advice, and Bilal Shaukat advised The Hub Power Company Ltd on transparency requirements for issuers of securities listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Ahsan Rizvi is also recommended.

Akhund Forbes has a reputation in this sector having developed the legal framework for the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDC). Its expertise also includes advising on flotations, share transactions, stock exchange regulations and securities investigations.

Cornelius, Lane & Mufti advises clients on equity and debt securities listings on stock exchanges locally and internationally, as well as on regulatory compliance matters. Salman Aslam Butt and Shehzad Ata Elahi are key contacts.

Mohsin Tayebaly & Co’s recent work includes having acted for investors and trustees regarding OTC TFC issues for various companies, and in advising syndicates on the conversion of TFCs into investment bonds. Irfan Tayebaly heads the team.

Orr, Dignam & Co advises clients on a broad range of capital markets including GDRs, TFCs, IPOs and securities listings, and regulatory matters. Maudood A Khan leads the team.

Abraham & Sarwana advises clients such as Merrill Lynch on derivative products. Jawad Sarwana is recommended. Sadly, Farooq Abdullah passed away in 2012.

Hassan & Hassan (Advocates)’ experience includes having advised the Lahore and Islamabad stock exchanges on demutualisation. Parvez Hassan is the key contact.

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