Haidermota & Co Advocates > Lahore, Pakistan > Firm Profile
Haidermota & Co Advocates Offices
16-C 3
GULBERG III
LAHORE
Pakistan
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Haidermota & Co Advocates > The Legal 500 Rankings
Pakistan > Banking and finance Tier 1
At the centre of Pakistan’s banking and financial markets, Haidermota & Co Advocates 'excels in innovative problem-solving' and offers an all-encompassing financial products service, from leveraged and acquisition finance, to Islamic finance and financial restructuring and rescheduling. The team advises the Central Bank of Pakistan on regulatory matters, as well as other multilateral agencies and financial institutions. Co-leading the team is Khozem Haidermota, a sought-after practitioner for complex, high-value deals, Mohammad Anwer, an expert in corporate finance, and Zahra Abid, who uses her knowledge of the financial sector to advise on legislative reform. Other key individuals include M&A lawyers Shabbir Harianawala and Ali Vasi, in addition to Owais Aziz, who heads the firm’s Islamabad’s practice.Practice head(s):
Khozem Haidermota; Mohammad Anwer; Zahra Abid
Other key lawyers:
Shabbir Harianawala; Ali Akber Vasi; Owais Aziz
Testimonials
‘They have successfully been able to build a great team in order to provide a phenomenal suite of services. From a personal viewpoint, I like that the firm has mentored professionals from within the firm to take up the partner role, which allows for great continuity of transactions and relationships.’
‘Their grasp and understanding of regulatory matters is very impressive with good drafting in terms of chamber work. Zahra Abid is a prime example of growth from within the firm to reach partner level.’
‘Zahra Abid is focused on the task at hand and thinks outside the box, providing practical advice which is solution oriented. Her ability to understand the clients’ objectives, and step into negotiations with the intent to negotiate a solution, is exceptional. I have also found the firm enthusiastic to take on new tasks and industries, which makes them the first point of call for any legal services.’
‘What sets Haidermota & Co Advocates apart is their unmatched expertise in the legal field. Their team possesses an in-depth knowledge of the law that extends beyond conventional solutions. They approach each case with a creative and personalised mindset, tailoring their strategies to meet the unique needs of their clients.’
‘They go beyond the traditional client-attorney relationship. They actively engage in collaboration, working closely with their clients to achieve optimal outcomes. This open and cooperative approach makes clients feel like valued partners in the legal process, fostering trust and mutual respect.’
‘The team at Haidermota & Co Advocates is defined by their unwavering dedication to their clients. Specifically, I must commend Zahra Abid for her tireless commitment to our legal matters. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that we receive the best possible legal advice and representation.’
‘Zahra Abid is a true advocate for our interests, and her dedication to achieving successful outcomes is unparalleled. The team at Haidermota & Co Advocates excels in innovative problem-solving.’
‘The team’s experience, especially in power sector transactions, is quite remarkable.’
Key clients
Habib Bank Limited
Vision Group
United Bank Limited
Mashreq Bank
Kuda technologies Limited
City School (Pvt.) Ltd
Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited
Alif Capital Holdings Limited
Habib Bank Limited and other Financial Institutions
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited
JS Bank Limited
Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited
Bank Alfalah Limited
Karandaaz Pakistan
U Microfinance Bank Limited
Askari Bank Limited
Allied Bank Limited
Infra Zamin Pakistan Limited
Orient power company (private) limited,
saif power limited
halmore power generation company limited
Waves Singer Pakistan Limited
Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company Limited
National Bank of Pakistan
Engro Powergen Thar (Private) Limited
Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company
Telenor Microfinance Bank Limited
Summit Bank Limited
JS Bank Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Habib Bank Limited in relation to its standby letter of credit facility to K-Electric Limited in relation to its payment obligation under a power purchase agreement.
- Acted for Vision Group in the proposed acquisition of a majority stake of Silk Bank Limited.
- Assisted Mashreq Bank with preparing its application for establishing a digital retail bank in Pakistan licensed under Section 27 of the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962 read with the Licensing and Regulatory Framework for Digital Banks issued by the State Bank of Pakistan.
Pakistan > Corporate and M&A Tier 1
With offices in Karachi and Islamabad, Haidermota & Co Advocates is the go-to firm for complex restructuring and re-organisations, and has been at the helm of landmark transactions in Pakistan in the areas of M&A, private equity, creative equity structures, and shareholder arrangements. The firm regularly acts for major clients across a range of industries including oil & gas, telecoms, and e-commerce. The team is co-led by Khozem Haidermota, a practitioner with broad expertise who spearheads many big-ticket transactions, M&A specialist Shabbir Harianawala, and Ali Vasi who is an expert in takeover and competition. Fellow practice co-head Owais Aziz heads the firm’s Islamabad practice. Zahra Abid and Mohammad Anwer are other key names to note.Practice head(s):
Khozem Haidermota; Shabbir Harianawala; Ali Akber Vasi; Owais Aziz
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Haidermota & Co is one of the best law firms in Pakistan with an office in Dubai as well. They are the best advisors in all corporate matters at most the competitive fee.’
‘They are extremely knowledgeable with great understanding of the law and industry. Moreover, they are highly accessible even during their business travel.’
‘High quality and experienced practice.’
‘‘The team at Haidermota is very diverse, which brings a holistic level of competencies to their services. My experiences with the firm illustrate its solid ability to evaluate legal topics with a keen focus on business impact. The team is able to meet tight deadlines when called on.’
‘Shabbir Harianawala is smart, commercial and great to work with.’
‘Shabbir Harianawala is very focused on client service and is very well-versed in corporate law and M&A topics, even with challenging timelines.’
‘Attention to detail, out of box solutions.’Â
Key clients
Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Government Holdings (Private) Limited, and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.
His Excellency Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
Packages Limited
CopilotProviderSupportServices, LLC (USA)
Saudi National Bank
Fullerton Financial Holdings Pte. Ltd
JS Investments Limited
Metro Wind Power Limited, part of Metro Wind Group
Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd
Muller & Phipps Pakistan Limited
Cargill Pakistan Holdings Limited
Dalda Foods (Private) Limited
Cloudways Limited
FFC Energy Limited
Siemens Pakistan Engineering Company Limited
Mashreq Bank
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Dawood Group
Mastercard
Pak-Arab Pipeline Company Limited
Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited and VEON Ltd.
Martin Dow
Alif Capital Holdings Limited
Vitol Dubai Limited
Kuda Technologies Limited, City School (Pvt.) Ltd. and Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited
MCB Bank Limited, EY Ford Rhodes, Elixir Securities
Amazon Mall (Private) Limited
EFU Services (Pvt.) Ltd. and other shareholders in Allianz EFU Health Insurance Limited
Allied Bank Limited
Salaam Takaful Limited
Li & Fung Limited
Ontex BV
Unifrutti Group
Tufail Group
Karandaaz Pakistan
Epic Games
Acsertia Limited
Matrix Analytics, Inc.
The Sponsors of Swat Ceramics (Pvt.) Ltd
Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc.
Humayun Baigmohamed Trust and Beneficiaries
NayaPay Pvt. Ltd.
Shareholders of Autosoft Dynamics (Private) Limited
DXN Holdings Bhd
Ideal Standard International
Work highlights
- Advised a consortium of large energy sector players in Pakistan on their participation in the reconstituted Reko Diq mining project, to be established alongside the Government of Balochistan and Barrick Gold.
- Advised Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah, who intends to increase his consolidated shareholding in Summit Bank.
- Engaged as the legal counsel as part of a consortium with Ernst & Young for drafting a first of its kind asset fractionalization framework for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Â
Pakistan > Dispute resolution Tier 1
With a network of offices in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, Haidermota & Co Advocates enjoys a strong reputation for its ability to represent clients in complex, commercial disputes. Experienced at handling a vast manner of disputes and contentious matters, the team regularly represents large multinationals and conglomerates from a number of key industries. Jahanzeb Awan leads the practice as a noted litigator who frequently appears before Pakistan’s Supreme Court. He is supported by Shahan Karimi, who focuses on civil, commercial, constitutional, and banking matters. Rashid Mahar leverages 10 years of experience in disputes before a number of courts and tribunals, and Uzair Shafie is the key contact for the Islamabad office.Practice head(s):
Jahanzeb Awan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Haidermota is very approachable, they listen to your issues in detail until they can create a firm understanding of the issue and business environment of the client. I have experienced that on sensitive matters.’
‘Through a robust consultative forum, a strategy is finalised where clients’ input is always given importance. It is always a learning experience working with Haidermota & Co.’
‘While rendering the professional services, we find the team of Haidermota responsive, competent, and well-skilled with a deep approach towards law. Their services are transparent and has always tendered fair opinion to any legal query asked to them. We think these are the traits which potential clients would wish to know, and these are the characteristics which distinguishes Haidermota & Co. from other firms.’
‘Ee always find Jahanzeb Awan a thorough professional with audacity of convincing arguments. He is always equipped with latest trends in law. He presents his client before the courts with having full grip over the brief as well as law. He knows the concerned industry well and addresses every concern satisfactorily.’
Key clients
Oil and Gas Development Company
Pakistan Petroleum Limited
Government Holdings (Private) Limited
K-Electric Limited
Cargill International Trading PTD. LTD
Cargill Pakistan Agri Foods (PVT.) LTD
Hub Power Company
Pakistan LNG Limited
Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited
Pakistan Telecommunication Limited
Ernst & Young, Pakistan
Summit Bank Limited
Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited
Emaar Pakistan
Global Haly Development Company
Work highlights
- Represented three State Owned Entities, OGDCL, PPL & GHPL, before the Supreme Court in relation to the reconstituted Reko Diq Project.
- Acted for K-Electric Limited, the largest vertically integrated power utility company supplying electricity to Karachi, in a dispute between two major shareholders of the company.
- Acted for Hub Power Company Limited before the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a matter pertaining to sales tax.
Pakistan > Environment Tier 1
Boasting an experienced team of litigators, Haidermota & Co Advocates‘s environmental law practice is fully integrated with the firm’s M&A, projects and infrastructure, and energy groups. The team is at the forefront of environmental, social, and governance issues, and is also well positioned to advise clients on regulatory compliance matters, environmental impact assessments, and hazardous waste management obligations, amongst other mandates. The practice is co-led by Lahore-based practitioners Umar Shereef and Owais Aziz, and Shabbir Harianawala, who operates from the firm’s Karachi office.Practice head(s):
Umar Shereef; Owais Aziz; Shabbir Harianawala
Other key lawyers:
Arooshay Sheheryar
Testimonials
‘Their knowledge and understanding of the relevant laws and regulations and project finance requirements is one of the best in the market.’Â
‘A leader in project finance for the last decade, they have the best and most well-trained partners who have performed exceptionally. Turnaround time is also good.’
‘The team is very well-versed in all the regulations relating to the environmental issues being faced by the entities in Pakistan. They have been involved with the regulators in the development of rules and regulations.’
‘They are very thorough in the recommendations that are made by them, and this is a very important consideration.’
‘The staff that we have worked with, both partners and associates, have always been very helpful and give good recommendations for processing the case forward.’
‘I would recommend Umer Sherriff, senior partner, and Arooshay Shehyar, senior associate, to any organisation.’
Key clients
Pakistan Environment Trust
Pak-Arab Refinery Limited
Pak-Arab Pipeline Company Limited
Bank Alfalah Limited and GuarantCo.Ltd
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Government of Sindh through the International Finance Corporation
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Government of Sindh through the Asian Development Bank
Cargill Pakistan Holdings Limited
Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group for Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Company (Private) Limited
Act2 Wind (Private) Limited
Gul Ahmed Electric Limited
Metro Wind Power Limited
Liberty Wind Power 1 (Private) Limited
Liberty Wind Power 2 (Private) Limited
NASDA Green Energy (Private) Limited
Artistic Wind Power (Private) Limited
Lucky Renewables (Private) Limited
Din Energy Limited
Pak Matiari-Lahore Transmission Company (Private) Limited
Pakistan Petroleum Limited
Government Holdings (Private) Limited
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited
Work highlights
- Advising a client on negotiating contractual risk and liability, including responsibility for environmental liabilities, in respect of ten wind power projects, resulting in an additional 560mw of clean wind energy to the national grid.
- Advising a client on the implementation of IFC Performance Standards in Karachi Water and Sewerage Board’s 22km Karachi Hub Water Canal.
- Advising Pak-Arab Refinery Limited on all environmental law matters relating to the establishment of a greenfield Oil Import Terminal.
Pakistan > Projects and energy Tier 1
Representing major clients across a swathe of sectors and boasting 'broad market knowledge', Haidermota & Co Advocates supports clients on all aspects of project development, from policy and regulatory frameworks, to financing agreements. The team is distinguished for introducing first-of-their-kind projects and its industry expertise in the energy sector, encompassing wind, biomass, bagasse, hydel and waste. The group also advised the Balochistan Government on the implementation of water and mass transit systems. Based in Lahore, the acclaimed Umar Shereef leads the team alongside Owais Aziz, who has a 'deep knowledge of the Pakistani energy sector' and also specialises in public-private partnerships, ESG, and corporate finance matters.Practice head(s):
Umar Shereef; Owais Aziz
Testimonials
‘HMCO acts for many sponsors across the Pakistani energy sector. As a result, they have broad market knowledge and contacts across the field, including with the authorities.’
‘Owais Aziz is a trusted advisor with deep knowledge of the Pakistani energy sector and a sound commercial acumen.’
‘We have found Haidermota & Co Advocates to be excellent legal advisors for our company. They have worked on a number of projects for us. As a team they have very good domain knowledge and a culture of responding promptly to the clients calls.’
‘Their record keeping is excellent, and any document or reference is ready at hand with them whenever we need such. They are our trustworthy legal partners in many projects.’
“Deep knowledge of legal matters as well as of our projects. They always know how to tackle legal bottlenecks with their in-depth knowledge of laws and regulations with regard to different modalities of our projects. Provide objective advisory and their inputs on our matters are always very objective and supported by relevant references to prevalent rules and regulations.’
‘Haidermota & Co Advocates provides quality and cost efficient services. During our collaboration with them, they are always capable of accommodating the client’s needs and providing deliverables in a timely manner, even within a tight timeframe.’
‘All team members of Haidermota & Co Advocates are diligent and responsible. Their capability of providing feasible solutions under local law within a tight timeline is most impressive.’
Key clients
Pak-Arab Refinery Limited
Governance & Policy Project, Balochistan
Local Government Department, Government of Sindh
Ministry of Railways, Government of Pakistan
Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited
NED University of Science and Technology, Government of Sindh
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Government of Sindh through the International Finance Corporation
Javedan Corporation Limited
National Bank of Pakistan
Sindh Economic Zone Management Company
Kainatt Enterprises
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Government of Sindh through the Asian Development Bank
British International Investment
Act2 Wind (Private) Limited
Gul Ahmed Electric Limited
Metro Wind Power Limited
Liberty Wind Power 1 (Private) Limited
Liberty Wind Power 2 (Private) Limited
NASDA Green Energy (Private) Limited
Artistic Wind Power (Private) Limited
Lucky Renewables (Private) Limited
Din Energy Limited
Amreli Steels Limited
GuarantCo Ltd
United Bank Limited
Habib Bank Limited
Pak Matiari-Lahore Transmission Company (Private) Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Pak-Arab Refinery Limited on all legal matters relating to the establishment of a greenfield Oil Import Terminal in Pakistan in collaboration with national and international partners.
- Advising the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the International Finance Corporation on the country’s first large-scale health sector infrastructure project implemented on public private partnership basis.  Â
- Acting for a consortium of thirteen leading business organisations and individuals on a design, build, develop, finance, operate, market, and transfer model of a 2,000-acre city on a public-private partnership basis with Ravi Urban Development Authority. Â Â
Pakistan > Capital markets Tier 2
Headquartered in Karachi, Haidermota & Co Advocates works across several sectors and is well-placed to provide regulatory guidance on Islamic banking law. The team regularly represents leading global brands before Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission, and also frequently assists with the installation of digital assets and digital asset trading platforms, as well as advising clients on structuring divestments. The team is co-led by Shabbir Harianawala, an expert routinely sought out for his knowledge on private equity, complex shareholder agreements, and compliancy matters, and Zahra Abid, who represents leading foreign and local banks and financial institutions.Practice head(s):
Shabbir Harianawala; Zahra Abid
Testimonials
‘Haidermota & Co strive hard in Pakistan’s legal sector with their in-depth understanding of legal intricacies. I’ve always found their advice and opinions extremely useful in finding unique, tailor-made solutions to complex problems.’
‘Partners have exceptional command over legal intricacies and their meticulous eye for complex problems has always helped us advise clients and structure transactions in a positive and fruitful way.’
‘The corporate capital markets acquisition practice has consistently demonstrated a unique blend of expertise and dedication that sets it apart in the industry. One of the standout strengths of the team lies in their comprehensive understanding of the complex regulatory landscape and intricate nuances of fund management acquisitions.’
‘Their in-depth knowledge ensures that potential clients can trust in their ability to navigate the intricacies of these transactions with precision and efficiency. The team’s key capabilities shine through in their strategic approach to acquisitions, where they seamlessly integrate legal acumen with a deep understanding of our specific industry.’
‘Their agility and ability to adapt to evolving market conditions also gives them an edge in today’s dynamic business landscape. Their strengths lie not only in their legal prowess but also in their ability to customise solutions that drive value for clients.’
‘One individual who deserves special mention is Zahra Abid, a dedicated partner at the firm. Zahra’s unwavering commitment to our concerns in even the most complex transactions has been remarkable. Her expertise in fund management acquisitions, coupled with her strategic insight, has played a pivotal role in safeguarding our interests and driving successful outcomes.’
‘Zahra Abid’s ability to navigate the intricate legal landscape while keeping a keen eye on our business objectives has been instrumental. Her proactive approach to identifying potential challenges and providing well-rounded solutions has helped us make informed decisions at every stage of the acquisition process.’
‘Zahra Abid’s responsiveness, attention to detail, and depth of knowledge inspires confidence and makes her an indispensable asset to our team. What truly sets Zahra apart is her dedication to client relationships. She goes above and beyond to understand our company’s unique needs, tailoring her advice and strategies accordingly.’
Key clients
EY Ford Rhodes
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
JS Investments Limited
Pakistan Petroleum Limited
Government Holdings (Private) Limited
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited
Fatima Gobi Ventures (Private) Limited
Sponsors of Swat Ceramics Company (Private) Limited
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited
Asiapak Investments
U Microfinance Bank Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a client as the legal counsel as part of a consortium with Ernst & Young on the drafting a first of its kind asset fractionalisation framework for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Â Â
- Advised SNB and Freshfields on the structuring divestment, ensuring that it adheres to local regulatory and securities law requirements. Â Â
- Represented a consortium of Government Holdings as part of the comprehensive resolution of a USD11bn dispute regarding the development of Reko Diq, one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold projects in the world.
Pakistan > TMT Tier 3
Specialising in licensing and regulatory work, Haidermota & Co Advocates is well-placed to advise domestic and international clients. The practice is co-led by Shabbir Harianawala, a notable M&A lawyer with a strong focus on the telecoms sector, and Zahra Abid, who brings a wealth of experience advising clients in the financial sector, including leading foreign and domestic banks and financial institutions.Practice head(s):
Shabbir Harianawala; Zahra Abid
Testimonials
‘High quality and experienced practice.’
‘Shabbir Harianawala is smart, commercially minded, and great to work with.’
Key clients
Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited
Shareholders of Autosoft Dynamics (Private) Limited
Mastercard
Epic Games
Amazon Web Services Inc
TPL Trakker Limited
Sary Technologies Holding Ltd.
Eversheds Sutherland
Creditbook Financial Services (Private) Limited
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Arculus Holdings L.L.C.
Tencent Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a client on setting up a digital bank business in accordance with regulations set by the State Bank of Pakistan.
- Represented the shareholders of Autosoft Dynamics (Private) Limited in the sale of their 100% equity stake to Contour Software (Private) Limited.
- Advising Epic Games with respect to its proposed acquisition of Quixel Pakistan (Private) Limited, a software development company.
Pakistan > Real estate and construction
Haidermota & Co Advocates > Firm Profile
Haidermota & co. has been one of Pakistan’s top law firms with more than 60 years of experience as a premier provider of legal services. The firm has a dedicated team of over 40 lawyers and offices in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and an affiliated office in Dubai. The firm is recognized as one of the top firms in the country across key sectors.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking | |||
Corporate | |||
Privatisation | |||
Securitisation | |||
Mergers and acquisitions | |||
Oil and gas | |||
Telecoms | |||
Project finance | |||
Power generation projects | |||
Structured finance | |||
Islamic modes of finance | |||
Foreign investment | |||
Conveyancing | |||
Information technology | |||
Venture capital | |||
Charitable trusts | |||
Real estate/construction | |||
Commercial litigation | |||
Domestic and international | |||
Arbitration | |||
Dispute resolution | |||
Cross-border joint ventures |
Staff Figures
Number of partners : 11 other lawyers : 41Languages
English Gujarati UrduOther
Contacts : Kazim Hasan Contacts : Khozem A Haidermota Contacts : Mohammad Anwer Contacts : Ali Akber Vasi Contacts : Shabbir Harianawala Contacts : Zahra Abid Contacts : Jahanzeb Awan Contacts : M Umar Shereef Contacts : Owais Aziz Contacts : Babar Zaman Contacts : Rahmat Kamal GhanghroHaidermota & Co Advocates > Firm Profile
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Mergers and acquisitions | |||
Projects and energy | |||
Dispute resolution | |||
Technology, media and telecommunications | |||
Banking and finance | |||
Capital markets and securitisation | |||
Legislative drafting | |||
Privatisation | |||
Corporate advisory | |||
Real estate | |||
Public private partnership |
- Banking and finance
- Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Environment
- Projects and energy
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