Firm Profile > Akhund Forbes > Karachi , Pakistan
Akhund Forbes Offices
D-21, BLOCK 4, CLIFTON
KARACHI 75600
Pakistan
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Akhund Forbes > The Legal 500 Rankings
Capital markets Tier 1
Akhund Forbes is known for its ability to handle high-value and complex transactions. It advises on the full array of capital markets work, such as advising central depository companies, stock exchanges and real estate investment funds on various issues. The nimble team routinely advises on IPOs, rights and bonus issues as well as on the issue of bonds, sukuks and other capital markets products. Founding and managing partner Rabel Akhund is a recognised name for his advice to Pakistani corporates on a myriad of capital markets regulations and has advised on some of the largest and most ground-breaking recent transactions. Sahar Iqbal is well regarded for her work in this field and advises many leading asset management companies in Pakistan.
Key clients
Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management
MCB Arif Habib Investments and Savings Limited
Pakistan Stock Exchange
edotco Group Sdn Berhad
UBL Fund Managers Limited
NBP Fund Management Limited
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
With Rabel Akhund at the helm, the team at Akhund Forbes is adept at advising on high-value corporate and commercial transactions. It is particularly noted for its expertise in M&A, joint ventures and corporate regulatory work. In addition, the team frequently works with foreign lawyers on complex cross-border deals, advising on diverse matters from leveraged buy-outs to hostile bids and friendly offers. Other areas of expertise lie in advising on joint ventures in the power and energy sectors. Sahar Iqbal heads the venture capital practice and is also respected for her work on private equity matters and M&A deals.
Testimonials
‘Sahar Iqbal is a valuable resource at the firm and is highly rated. She provides dedicated services throughout the transaction along with support post-closure as well‘
‘Sahar Iqbal immediately attended to our concerns and we were quite pleased by her instant grasp and understanding of the matter at hand. She and her team did indeed make this rather complicated matter quite easy for us’
‘Sahar Iqbal very clearly explained the complexities of the case and walked us through it all, thereby alleviating our fears and concerns by simplifying the matter until we were very comfortable with it‘
‘The team provides a very friendly and focused service‘
‘The team is sensitive to the needs of the client, which is communicated through words and actions. The team’s conduct is such that one feels that one is in competent hands‘
‘The team is very responsive, with helpful advice and practical insights. It provides an international level of advice – it understands the concerns and drivers for international clients and is able to explain local laws in an international context‘
Key clients
JS Bank Limited
Pakistan Catalyst Fund 1 LLC
Edotco Group SDN Berhad
Kojima Law Offices
Applus
DeHeng Law Offices
Sinotruck Import & Export Co. Ltd
Aisha Steel Mills Limited
Arif Habib Group
Edotco Pakistan (Private) Limited
Edotco Towers (Private) Limited
Zhong Lun Law Firm
Cheez Group, Shanghai
Cheezmall (Private) Limited
Avanza Innovations LLC, Avanza Holding FZE
Fatima Ventures Private Limited
Baker & McKenzie
Stanley Electronic Co Ltd
Thai Stanley Electric Public Co Ltd
Indus Associated Consultants
Latham & Watkins
Privatisation Commission of Pakistan
Norton Rose Fullbright
Banking and finance Tier 2
Akhund Forbes is known for its work on high-value and complex transactions involving acquisition financing, Islamic financing and project financing in particular. Practice head Rabel Akhund is recommended for his advice to financial institutions and corporate borrowers on major domestic and cross-border transactions. Sahar Iqbal is another prominent member of the team. The practice is also rated for its work in asset financing (ship finance and all aspects of capital asset financing) and has a solid reputation for real estate financing as it frequently acts for property developers and financial institutions.
Testimonials
‘The firm is small, but very capable. The attitude of the team is constructive and helpful’
‘Rabel Akhund is a reassuring lawyer to have working on any transaction. With his experience of working in London, he understands well what is in an international counsel’s mind and can respond accordingly‘
‘Akhund Forbes has a diversified team which enables it to provide a one-stop shop solution to clients’
‘Rabel Akhund has been exceptional due to his availability and problem solving ability. He possesses vast experience of our sector‘
Key clients
China Development Bank
Aisha Steel Mills Limited
Deheng Law Offices
Edotco Pakistan (Private) Limited
Act Polyols (Pvt) Limited
Mastercard
Labour and employment Tier 2
Akhund Forbes has a skilled and experienced team that advises a broad range of local, national and international clients on the full spectrum of labour and employment issues, including drafting HR policies in accordance with Pakistan's labour laws. It also works with a number of major law firms to advise on local law matters. Sahar Iqbal is well regarded.
Key clients
MCB-Arif Habib Savings and Investments Limited
DLA Piper Middle East LLP
DeHeng Law Offices China
China Power Hub Generation Company
Yangtze Three Gorges Technology & Economy Development Co., Ltd (Muzaffarabad)
UBL Fund Managers Limited
Projects and energy Tier 3
Akhund Forbes is known for its advice on complex projects which often have a multi-jurisdictional dimension. Of late it has advised on projects in a variety of sectors, including infrastructure, mining, minerals and energy, and is well equipped to advise on the regulatory aspects of these deals. The team has a solid reputation for its work with international clients looking for investment opportunities in the Pakistani power sector. Rabel Akhund is increasingly busy advising on major power and infrastructure projects.
Testimonials
‘The team has time and time again been able to provide good and effective opinions. The managing partner, Rabel Akhund, is very good and provides the utmost attention to detail‘
Key clients
China Development Bank
Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd
China Power Hub Generation Company (Private) Limited
Yangtze Three Gorges Technology & Economy Development Co., Ltd (Muzaffarabad)
Zhong Lun Law Firm
Government of Sindh (Karachi Circular Railway)
FenXun Partners
Gemini Office Services UK Limited
edotco Pakistan Pvt Limited
Privatisation Commission of Pakistan
TMT Tier 3
Akhund Forbes has been advising on various high-value and complex TMT matters of late. The team has been particularly active recently in the telecoms sector, advising several clients on the acquisition of telecoms towers throughout the country and on the regulatory landscape for telecoms services. Rabel Akhund is a primary contact and Sahar Iqbal has been increasingly busy advising on TMT issues.
Key clients
Edotco Group SDN Berhad
NBP Fund Management Limited
MCB Arif Habib Investments and Savings Limited
China Power Hub Generation Company (Pvt.) Limited
Allied Advertising LLC
Mastercard