Orr, Dignam & Co. > Karachi, Pakistan > Firm Profile
Orr, Dignam & Co. Offices

1-B, STATE LIFE SQUARE
I. I. CHUNDRIGAR ROAD
KARACHI 74000
Pakistan
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Orr, Dignam & Co. > The Legal 500 Rankings
Pakistan > Projects and energy Tier 1
Orr, Dignam & Co.’s energy practice is recommended for advising upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas companies on the full spectrum of issues. The team has been involved in a breadth of projects and acquisitions within the energy sector. Aliya Yusuf and Asim Nasim oversee the Karachi office, while Zahir Riaz and Shahid Raza manage the Islamabad branch.Practice head(s):
Aliya Yusuf; Asim Nasim; Zahir Riaz; Shahid Raza
Key clients
Mari Petroleum Co Limited
Pakistan State Oil Company Limited
Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited
Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO)
Foundation Wind Energy Limited
Multiple Independent Power Producers
Pakistan LNG Limited / Pakistan LNG Terminal Limited
Multiple Independent Power Producers
Work highlights
- Advised Inter State Gas Systems, an entity established by the Government of Pakistan, on various issues relating to the $10bn TAPI Gas Pipeline Project.
- Advised Inter State Gas Systems on the construction of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project from Lahore to Karachi.
- Advised a major global oil company on its divestment from various companies operating in the upstream oil and gas sector in Pakistan.
Pakistan > Real estate and construction Tier 1
Pakistan > Corporate and M&A Tier 2
Orr, Dignam & Co. supports clients across the gamut of corporate law mandates, including on issues relating to corporate governance and regulatory compliance, as well as shareholder matters and disputes. Aliya Yusuf, Asim Nasim and Zahir Riaz are the key members within the team.Practice head(s):
Aliya Yusuf; Asim Nasim; Zahir Riaz
Key clients
Uber Technologies Inc.
Fauji Foundation
BB Energy
Axiata Group Berhad
Pak-Arab Refinery Company Limited
Pakistan Petroleum Limited
Oil Companies Advisory Council
AerCap Holdings N.V.
Foundation Wind Energy Limited
DuPont Pakistan Operation (Pvt.) Ltd
Ericsson Pakistan Private Limited
The CBRE Group
Corteva Agriscience Pakistan
JC Penny
Nielson Holdings PL
Fererro SPA
CLSA Singapore
SK Capital Partners
Pakistan International Airlines
The ExxonMobil Group
RB Hygiene
Spotify
Emaar
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Bestway Group Internal Reorganization
BBC Pakistan (Private) Limited
S&P Global Pakistan (Private) Limited
Marriott International
Work highlights
- Advised AerCap Holdings on the acquisition of 100% shareholding of GE Capital Aviation Services from General Electric Company, and assupmtion of joint control over Shannon Engine Support with Safran Aircraft Engines.
- Advised Foundation Wind Energy I and Foundation Wind Energy II on the acquisition of CapAsia’s shareholding in the clients by Fauji Foundation.
- Advised on the joint venture between Ford and SK Innovation for production of traction battery cells and array modules, particularly in terms of obtaining competition approvals from the Competition Commission of Pakistan.
Pakistan > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Orr, Dignam & Co.'s practice spans dispute resolution methods including mediation, arbitration and civil litigation. The practice represents local and foreign companies in both the public and private sectors across a broad range of industries, with an emphasis on banking and finance,energy, technology, and telecoms. Sajid Zahid and Taha Alizai jointly lead the team.Practice head(s):
Sajid Zahid; Taha Alizai
Key clients
The Cummins Group (UK and UAE)
Phoenix Global DMCC
Sui Southern Gas Company Limited
Societies General SA, Swiss Company
The Porsche Group
Abraaj Capital Limited
Al Ghazi Tractors Limited
Engro Fertilizer Limited
Pakistan State Oil Company Limited
Habib University Foundation
Bakri Energy Limited
Pak-Arab Refinery Company Limited
The Engro Group
Pakistan Petroleum Limited
BBC Pakistan (Private) Limited
Marriott International
S&P Global Pakistan
R&R Co. Singapore
Britannia P & I
Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL)
Work highlights
- Filed a a suit for declaration and injunction, seeking referral of a dispute pertaining to unpaid cargo lying at the terminal, on behalf of R&R Singapore.
- Defended Pakistan Petroleum in a dispute againt its employees.
- Representing Pakistan LNG in a contractual dispute with Gunvor.
Pakistan > Banking and finance Tier 3
Orr, Dignam & Co. acts for banks, export credit agencies, multilateral institutions, Islamic banks and financial institutions, and government agencies on numerous transactions. The department deals with matters involving acquisitions, asset finance, securitisation, Islamic finance and export credit transactions. While Aliya Yusuf and Asim Nasim jointly manage the Karachi office, Zahir Riaz and Shahid Raza oversee the Islamabad branch.Practice head(s):
Aliya Yusuf; Asim Nasim
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
United Bank Limited
Citibank Pakistan N.A.
Credit Suisse
Faysal Bank Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
BE Energy Ltd
Institute of Bankers Pakistan
Deutsche Bank AG and the Bank of Singapore
Magnus Investment Advisors
Work highlights
- Advised Citibank on Pakistan banking laws, financial market infrastructure questionnaires, exchange control regulations, ISDA and GMRA matters.
- Assisted Magnus Investment Advisors with the preparation of a memorandum regarding securities lending and buying by asset management companies pursuant to a circular notified by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Pakistan > Capital markets Tier 3
Orr, Dignam & Co. > Firm Profile
The firm: Orr, Dignam & Co. is one of the largest firms of advocates in Pakistan with fully operational offices in Karachi and Islamabad. The firm was established in 1952 and reconstituted in 1972. It specialises in all aspects of civil and commercial laws and civil litigation, including corporate commercial and company law, privatisation, mergers and acquisitions, competition law, infrastructure projects, construction, banking, project finance, energy, oil and gas, power, insurance, commercial contracts, capital market, foreign investment laws, information technology, telecommunication, aviation and maritime. The firm also handles arbitration matters (both domestic and international) as well as civil and commercial litigation in the High Courts and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The firm has represented clients and transactions involving various regulators including that of the power, telecommunication, banking, insurance, and pharmaceutical sectors. The firm has seven partners and a team of associates, including barristers, attorneys at law and advocates. The partners of the firm directly attend to the clients’ instructions and, where necessary, are assisted by the senior associates and associates depending on the complexity and requirements of a particular matter. The firm is instructed by and acts for various leading international law firms on a regular basis.
Areas of practice: The firm acts for a broad range of clients including multinational companies, banks, multilateral agencies, leading Pakistani business houses as well as public sector corporations.
Projects and infrastructure: The firm is involved in project and infrastructure work, particularly in power generation and transmission, oil and gas, fertilizer, cement and port facilities, transportation, and telecommunication. Services rendered in these areas, include contracts for technology transfer, concession and implementation agreements, turnkey and construction contracts, licences and royalty agreements.
Commercial litigation/arbitration: The firm is actively engaged in civil and commercial litigation, in the High Courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan, involving a number of leading cases. The firm also has considerable experience in arbitration under the Pakistan Arbitration Act, 1940 and international modes of arbitration, including International Chamber of Commerce and London Court of International Arbitration.
Mergers and acquisitions: The firm has been and continues to be involved in major domestic and cross border mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, management buyouts and privatisations of public sector entities in Pakistan both on the buyers’ and sellers’ side.
Banking and capital markets: The firm also has an active banking and capital market practice, advising domestic and foreign banks, syndicates, multilateral lending agencies in respect of syndications, project finance, as well as domestic and international investment banks and brokerage houses and Funds regarding securities and derivative transactions and various Islamic modes of finance including sukuks and ijara structures. The firm has represented clients and transactions involving various regulators including that of the power, telecommunication, banking, insurance, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Governments and agencies: The firm has undertaken comprehensive work in the preparation and study of reports on specific policy making areas for the Government of Pakistan and multilateral agencies. The firm has also assisted the Government of Pakistan in the drafting of legislation in various sectors, including the establishment of Central Depository Company, regulation in the electric power, downstream, oil and gas tax, anti-dumping regime and Aircraft Security.
Energy: The firm has a very well established energy practice encompassing oil and gas and electrical power generation. The firm’s practice includes oil and gas work. In the mid stream energy sector, it has been involved with the contracts relating to long distance pipelines and acts for a number of refineries and is currently advising in connection with the establishment of a new refinery and the upgrading of an existing refinery. The firm also regularly represents the leading oil marketing companies in the country. The firm is also involved in advising on aspects of a proposed transnational gas pipeline. The firm is involved in various agreements relating to electrical power generation projects and in electrical power projects in the alternative energy sector.
The firm is instructed and/or acts for various leading international law firms on a regular basis.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate Commercial | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Corporate Commercial | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Corporate Commercial | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Corporate Commercial | Shahid Raza | shahid.raza@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Corporate Commercial | Umar Shahid | umar.shahid@orrdignam.com | (0092) 335252017 |
Civil Litigation | Sajid Zahid | sajid.zahid@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Civil Litigation | Taha Alizai | taha.alizai@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Banking and finance | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Banking and finance | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Banking and finance | Shahid Raza | shahid.raza@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Privatisation | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Privatisation | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Privatisation | Shahid Raza | shahid.raza@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Privatisation | Taha Alizai | taha.alizai@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Antitrust | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Antitrust | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Energy | Sajid Zahid | sajid.zahid@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Energy | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Energy | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Energy | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Energy | Shahid Raza | shahid.raza@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Shahid Raza | shahid.raza@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Securities/capital markets | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Securities/capital markets | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Securities/capital markets | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Arbitration | Sajid Zahid | sajid.zahid@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Arbitration | Taha Alizai | taha.alizai@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Project finance | Zahir Riaz | zahir.riaz@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Project finance | Aliya Yusuf | aliya.yusuf@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Project finance | Asim Nasim | asim.nasim@orrdignam.com | (0092-21) 32415384/ 32416003 |
Project finance | Shahid Raza | shahid.raza@orrdignam.com | (0092-51) 2348645 to 2348649 |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 26 Karachi Office : 16 Islamabad Office : 10Languages
English UrduNotable Cases
- The Cummins Group (UK and UAE): Successfully represented the Client through the Single Bench and the Division Bench of the High Court of Sindh and the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a majorly contested litigation regarding their various Agreements containing Foreign Arbitration Clauses.
- Sui Southern Gas Company Limited: Represented the Company in several litigation matter before the High Court pertaining to the Company’s Employment Policy. The Firm has also Successfully represented the Company before the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
- Societies General SA, Swiss Company: Successfully represented the Company before the High Court of Sindh in respect of the replacement of its Managing Director.
- Abraaj Capital Limited: The Firm acted for the Abraaj Group in successfully defending the privatization of K-Electric Limited (a vertically-integrated power utility in Pakistan). The decision of the High Court passed this year in this matter, is one of the recent major decisions under Pakistan’s privatization law.
- The Porsche Group: The Firm has been representing the Group of companies in Pakistan since 2008. As well as including a dispute regarding over the delivery of product in the last year in the Appellate Court on account of privity of contract.
- Pakistan State Oil Company Limited: The Firm is representing PSO in a Suit and a Petition before the Islamabad High Court in relation to a dispute with a contractor relating to a bank guarantee furnished for a project relating to construction of storage facilities.
- Pak-Arab Refinery Company Limited: The Firm has represented the Client before the High Court of Sindh at Karachi in dispute arising out of a Fuel Supply Agreement.
- Al Ghazi Tractors Limited: Represented the Client in the High Court of Sindh and filed a Petition on the Client’s behalf. The Petition was heard and based on the positions taken by our Firm under the law on the Petitioner’s behalf, the Court ultimately decided the matter in the Petitioner’s favour.
- AerCap Holdings N.V: Advised AerCap in the acquisition of 100% shareholding of GE Capital Aviation Services Limited from General Electric Company and joint control over Shannon Engine Support Limited with Safran Aircraft Engines.
- Pakistan International Airlines Corporation: Advising Pakistan International Airlines Corporation on successfully acquiring several Aircrafts and Engines on lease from various lessors.
- Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited: Advising and acting on behalf of Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt) Limited in the USD 10 billion Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline Project. Currently advising in relation to the Host Government Agreement between the Governments of Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and India.
- Projects and energy
- Real estate and construction
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution