Mr Bilal Shaukat > RIAA BARKER GILLETTE > Karachi, Pakistan > Lawyer Profile

Experienced in equity capital market transactions, RIAA BARKER GILLETTE is well-positioned to guide its clients through complex legislation. With a full-service capability in capital markets, the offering encompasses bot IPOs and sukuk mandates, amongst other transactions. Bilal Shaukat leads the team, which is also strengthened by London-based partner Ahsan Z Rizvi.

RIAA BARKER GILLETTE is distinguished for representing leading multinational banks, corporations, and developers across a swathe of sectors. The firm boasts full-service capabilities in the banking and finance arena and handles a wide range of financing and security arrangements, including enforcement actions, debt to equity conversions, and syndicated and substantial loan transactions, as well as Islamic modes of financing; one client praises it for its ‘in-depth understanding of project financing transactions‘. Taking an innovative approach to new financial instruments, the firm has represented high-profile banks and financial institutions, for example the Export-Import Bank of China, Citibank, IFC, ADB, and the World Bank. The team is led by Bilal Shaukat, who has particular expertise in power projects financing and is supported by Ahsan Zahir Rizvi, an expert in statutory enactments and regulatory frameworks. Hasnain Naqvee leverages his corporate knowledge and operates from the Lahore office. Adil Tirmizey is another key practitioner who advises some of Pakistan’s largest banks on multiple local and cross-border deals.

Full-service firm RIAA BARKER GILLETTE excels at cross-border commercial arrangements handling IP and competition aspects of M&A transactions and is noteworthy in the areas of greenfield and brownfield investments in Pakistan. The team boasts particular expertise in cross-border acquisitions in the healthcare and agricultural sectors. Leveraging its cross-sector expertise, it acts for a diverse range of clients from leading companies to non-profit organizations, led by Karachi-based managing partner Bilal Shaukat who is a noted expert in petroleum and mining industries, and Islamabad-based Yousaf Khosa. Mazhar Bangash and Shafaq Rehman are other key names of note.

RIAA BARKER GILLETTE has played a leading role in Pakistan’s era-defining projects, namely the development of the first independent power project, international airport, and motorway. Boasting ‘in-depth understanding of the energy sector’ the team provides clients with wide ranging advice, including on project structuring, EPC contracts, and shareholder agreements. The practice is headed by Hasnain Naqvee, who brings a wealth of experience in power projects and Pakistan’s private power sector. He is aided by Bilal Shaukat, currently advising the Government of Sindh on public private partnership agreements and the development of Dhabeji Special Economic Zone. They are supported by Ahsan Z Rizvi, who specialises in project development and financing documentation in connection with infrastructure and power projects. Yousaf Khosa is another key litigator and leverages his considerable expertise in the telecommunication, oil and gas, and construction sectors.