Firms To Watch: Real estate and construction

Headquartered in Karachi, Haidermota & Co Advocates adeptly handles real estate assets and REIT schemes for local and domestic clients and assists with drafting trust deeds and vetting information memorandums for the SECP. The team is co-led by Shabbir Harianawala, a noted expert in the oil and gas industries; Zahra Abid, a specialist in the financial sector; and renowned industry veteran, Mohammad Anwer.
With offices in Lahore and Islamabad, Kilam Law is experienced in representing national development authorities and other public bodies. The team is co-led by Ali Naveed Arshad, who joined the firm from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, and Ali Ibrahim, an expert in corporate M&A transactions. The third head is Haris Azmat, who handles substantial real-estate work for corporate clients. Recent addition Taimur Malik rounds off the leadership team.
Liaquat Merchant Associates is well-known for advising clients on property assets as well as construction related projects, building standards, and regulations. The team is led by renowned litigator Faresa Jafarey Ahsan, who is assisted by Shayan Ahmed, an expert in town planning regulations, and Hira Ahmed, who advises on construction contracts.

Real estate and construction in Pakistan

Orr, Dignam & Co.

With offices in Karachi and Islamabad, Orr, Dignam & Co. caters to local and international clients on a variety of property transactions. Real estate investment trusts are an area of expertise for the firm and the team is well-equipped to assist clients with preparing the relevant contractual and legal documents. The practice is co-led by Zahir Riaz, who is based in Islamabad and brings over 40 years of litigation experience to the practice. In addition, Aliya Yusuf and Asim Nas operate from the Karachi office with Shahid Raza and Umar Shahid rounding off the leadership team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Zahir Riaz; Aliya Yusuf; Asim Nasim; Shahid Raza; Umar Shahid


Principaux clients

Uber Technologies Inc.


Askari Welfare Trust


Fauji Foundation


BBC Pakistan (Private) Limited


S&P Global Pakistan (Private) Limited


Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited


Pakistan International Airlines


Emaar


Pak Gulf Construction Limited


Pakistan State Oil


Barrick Gold Corporation


Lidl & Kaufland Services Pte. Limited


Sanofi Aventis Pakistan Limited


Rousch (Pakistan) Power Limited


IJM Investments J.A Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Barrick Gold Corporation with all land matters with respect to the reconstituted Reko Diq project, the largest foreign direct investment in the Balochistan province.
  • Advising Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited, the state-nominated entity, on the acquisition of land in Pakistan on which the gas pipeline would be laid in relation to the US$10bn Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India gas pipeline project.
  • Advising Tripack Films Limited on property issues relating to a prime commercial property.

Qureshi Law Associates

Qureshi Law Associates is well-known for its specialism in intricate and complex infrastructure projects, offering in-depth knowledge and expertise in land law, leases, and the transfer of business properties. The team has played an instrumental role in the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project, reviewing tender documents and ensuring regulatory compliance. The team is co-led by Zia Junejo and Adnan Qureshi.

Responsables de la pratique:

Zia Junejo; Adnan Qureshi


ABS & Co.

Skilled at handling projects involving large infrastructure, ABS & Co. is well-positioned to advise clients on the full life cycle of projects in the real and estate and construction space. Catering to both private and public entities in the real estate area, the firm has a specialised construction division in Lahore. Recently, the firm has been involved in preventing urban sprawl in cities through the development of a number of high-rise buildings in Lahore. The practice is led by Salman Hanif Rajput alongside Bakhtawar Bilal Soofi, who advises on a number of urban development projects. Zeerak Elahi is also a key member of the department.

Responsables de la pratique:

Salman Hanif; Bakhtawar Bilal Soofi


Autres avocats clés:

Zeerak Elahi


Principaux clients

Power Construction Corporation of China


Kingcrete Builders


Punjab Central Business District Development Authority


Habib Construction Services Ltd.


Newpeak Construction Services Pvt. Ltd.


Hunts & Coombs Solicitors


Mughals Pakistan Pvt. Ltd.


ZKB-Reliable JV


Guarantee Engineering


Calsons Ltd.


Maqbool Calsons JV


McDonald’s


Farooq Ahmed


Mahir Builders & Developers


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Mughals Pakistan Private Limited in obtaining an award of Rs1.9bn for idling and prolongation costs arising from the construction of the Serena Hotel Project.
  • Advised Guarantee Engineers, Ch. Abdul Latif & Sons, Maqbool-Calsons JV, Matracon, and ZKB-Reliable JV on the preparation of claims arising from the construction of several significant projects.
  • Represented Kingcrete Builders in an arbitral dispute arising from the termination of the PKR12bn contract for the construction of the Federal Government Employee’s Housing Foundation Towers in Islamabad.

Faiz, Sharif and Shinwari LLP

With expertise in road infrastructure projects and the power and energy sector, Faiz, Sharif and Shinwari LLP is at the forefront of real estate transactions and construction related matters in the public sector. Heading the team is Islamabad-based practitioner, Riswan Faiz Muhammad, an expert in international arbitration alongside Afzal Khan Shinwari.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rizwan Faiz Muhammad; Afzal Khan Shinwari


Principaux clients

Pakistan Accumulators (Pvt.) Ltd


Al-Tariq Construction Ltd.


Pavron Consulting


Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority


National Highway Authority


Heavy Mechanical Complex through their subcontractors, Al-Tariq Construction Ltd.


Jamshoro Power Company Ltd


Central Power Generation Company Ltd


Northern Power Generation Company Ltd


GENCO Holding Company Ltd


Elite Estates (Pvt.) Ltd


Pakistan International Airlines


National Transmission and Dispatch Company


Army Welfare Trust Investments


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Pakistan Accumulators (Pvt.) Ltd on the liquidation of its assets worth Rs660m, as well as negotiation and representation before the development board and the company’s regulatory body.
  • Advised National Highway Authority on the Sialkot-Kharian motorway concession agreement, including taking an advisory role during the post-bid evaluation, drafting, and vetting of the agreement.
     
  • Represented Elite Estates, a subsidiary company of the Ora Group of Companies, before the National Highway Authority with regards to their application to gain access through the motorway link road to their luxury real estate project, The Eighteen.
     

Nawaz Hussain Sikander

Nawaz Hussain Sikander's caseload includes a mix of property-related transactions and disputes, and recently advised on a steady flow of major housing projects. It counts developers, corporate end-users, REITs, private equity and pension funds, and institutional lenders as its key clients. Practice head, Imran Nawaz Memon is recommended for property related transactions and disputes and leads the team alongside Shamail Sikander, who handles land purchases, leasing, financing and tax maters. Meanwhile, Mehrunnissa Katpar specialises in REITs and and project financing.

Responsables de la pratique:

Imran Nawaz Memon; Shamail Sikander


Autres avocats clés:

Mehrunnissa Katpar


Les références

‘The partners of this firm have diverse and extensive experience, and this is the reason they have made a prominent presence in the entire legal industry in such a short span of time. They are always focused on achieving the best outcome for their clients.’

‘Shamail Sikander’s strategic approach and attention to detail in every aspect of the matter differentiate him from other lawyers.’

‘The practice is unique in a way that it provides personal attention to every matter and client which makes clients feel valued.’

Principaux clients

Indus Estate (Private) Limited


Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited


Paragon Constructors (Private) Limited


Creek Marina (Private) Limited


Task Builders


ACM Properties (Private) Limited


Ghani Builders and Developers (Private) Limited


Fortune Builders


Arif Habib Real Estate Services (Private) Limited


Sheikhani Builders and Developers


Burj Builders and Developers


Faysal Asset Management Limited


Alfalah GHP Investment Management Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing a set of high-profile investors for the establishment of an industrial zone on the proposed piece of land by entering into a Joint Venture Agreement with the seller.
  • Advised on the development of a residential and commercial housing society in Karachi, Pakistan.