Headquartered in Karachi, Akhund Forbes boasts a full-service TMT offering with expertise and in-depth knowledge of the fintech, gaming, and IT sectors. Well-versed in high-value and complex deals, the department regularly advises global businesses, as well as the burgeoning start-up sector, on Pakistan’s investment and regulatory landscape. The team is co-led by Rabel Akhund, a veteran of the industry, and Sahar Iqbal, a noted practitioner in the TMT field who specialises in complex transactions.
TMT in Pakistan
Akhund Forbes
Responsables de la pratique:
Rabel Akhund; Sahar Iqbal
Les références
‘Akhund Forbes is a very good firm with broad telecoms experience. I have found the firm both commercial and very practical in its advice. They are also very responsive and cost effective, plus a pleasure to work with.’
‘Rabel Akhund is excellent.’
‘In-depth knowledge of laws and statutes along with industry-specific knowledge.’
Principaux clients
Edotco Group SDN Berhad
NBP Fund Management Limited
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Spotify
MCB Arif Habib Investments and Savings Limited
Edotco Pakistan (Private) Limited
Edotco Towers (Private) Limited
UBL Fund Managers Limited
Mastercard
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Vodafone Group
Kelly Drye & Warren LLP
Cleary Gottlieb Steen Hamilton LLP
NdcTech (Private) Limited
Osborne Clarke
Graphene Ventures
Kleiner Perkins
Sequoia Capital
Qiwi Plc
Unifonic Inc.
Vezeeta.com
Perkins Coie LLP
Central Depository of Pakistan Limited
Simmons & Simmons
Timwetech
Stealth Startup
Encore Pay
PayCare
Qist Bazaar
Lyra Health
Dechert LLP
Skadden
Asia Impact Investment Fund II (Singapore) VCC
Slack
Mayson Hayes
KWM
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Meta Platforms Inc. on various telecommunication infrastructure related matters, providing complex regulatory advice related to undersea data and telecom cable landing rights and stations.
- Advising Qist Bazaar, a leading Buy-Now-Pay-Later company, on Bank Alfalah’s equity investment and embedded financing.
- Advising EncorePay on all aspects of their business, including their corporate structure, commercial contracts, joint venture arrangements, and investments.
Ali & Associates
A boutique law firm based in Karachi, Ali & Associates stands out for its all-encompassing IP service; the team is accomplished in mandates involving trademarks and copyright enforcement. Further to its IP expertise, the firm is bolstered by its in-depth knowledge of the telecoms, IT, and media sectors. The department is co-led by a strong group of senior practitioners, including senior partner Syed Auqil Ali Shah, a noted specialist in IP, media, and licensing, managing partner Karimullah Adeni, who brings over 40 years of experience to the practice, and Hanya Haroon, who has extensive experience in complex litigation in high levels of court.
Responsables de la pratique:
Syed Auqil Ali Shah; Karimullah Adeni; Mohiuddin Adeni; Ali Kabir Shah; Fouzia Bilal; Shakeel Abid; Hanya Haroon
Les références
‘Ali & Associates is a highly professional IP law firm that handles work efficiently and professionally.’
‘Ali & Associates is client centric and they go above and beyond to provide IP legal services to clients. They have helped our clients solve trademark issues and their expertise is highly commendable. The diversity and collaborative nature of how issues are handled makes the firm very unique.’
‘They are detail oriented, professional, good natured, and careful.’
Principaux clients
The Walt Disney Company
Motion Pictures Association
Jumeriah International LLC
Hugo Boss AG
Procter & Gamble
WD 40 Company
Xiaomi Inc.
Huawei Company Limited
Societe des Products Nestle S.A.
Honda Motors
British Broadcasting Corporation
Netflix Inc.
Joyo Technology Pte. Ltd
Red Bull Gmbh Discovery Inc.
Lotte Corporation
Iffco
Reusch International
Chapter Four Corp.
Tommy Hilfiger Licensing LLC
Led Zeppelin LLC
Glanbia Performance Nutrition Limited
Camelot UK Bidco Limited
Olimp Laboratories Sp
Elite Gold Ltd
Western Digital
Synlab Internatinal GMBH
Evac+chair International Limited
Clarivate
Teqball Holdings S.A.R.L.
Channel V
Sonix Inc.
Dr. Willmar Schwabe Gmbh Haritamin Llc
Air China Limited
Honda Atlas Power Products Limited
Repeat, Inc.
Kleemann Hellas S.A.
Hunter Boot Ltd.
Velum Limited Fbk
Manufactuing Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Jyothi Labs Limited
Kuckreja & Co
The Toro Company
Parle Agro Private Limited
Yunus Brothers Group
Searles Valley Minerals Inc.
Ciklum Sa Hostinger
Baxter International Inc.
Nokia Corporation
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Lloyds Register
Emea H-d Usa Llc (Harley Davidson)
Global Export Marketing Co. Ltd.
J&B Medical Group
Commscope Inc.
Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Ltd.
Master Group Of Companies
Ismail Industries Ltd.
Jaffer Brothers Pvt. Ltd.
Forward Sports Pvt. Ltd
Getz Pharma Pvt. Ltd
Khaadi Smc Pvt. Ltd
Bykea Technologies Private Limited
Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
Brands For Less L.L.C
Car- Freshner Corporation Lt
Foods Overseas Ltd
Lifestyle Equities Cv. (Polo Club Beverly Hills)
Ostindo International Pvt. Ltd.
Oriental Food Industries Sdn. Bhd
Starbuzz Tobacco, Inc.
Tan Nhat Huong Co. Ltd
Fauji Cement Company Limited
Vuadra Limited Vitabiotics Limited
Kitz Corporation Indus Motor Company Ltd.
Coslab Pvt. Ltd.
Forest Stewardship Council, A.C.
Bioexcyte Pharma Pvt. Ltd.
Askari Bank Ltd.
Abc Hygiene Industries Pvt. Ltd
Silk Route Beauty Products Millac Foods Pvt. Ltd
Rica S.P.A Pt Megasurya Mas
Principaux dossiers
- Represented K&N’s Food Pvt. Ltd. before the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment on parasitic copying and deceptive market practices.
- Assisted Motion Pictures Association with provided a detailed opinion on the feasibility and potential risks of its legal options against infringers for illegal live-streaming.
- Assisted PROCTER & GAMBLE with conducting a customs enforcement action wherein labelled and unlabelled bottles of Head & Shoulders and Pantene Shampoos were imported into Pakistan.
Lex Legal Practice (Solicitors & Attorneys)
Lex Legal Practice (Solicitors & Attorneys) is highly commended for its expertise in the fintech industry. Catering to a diverse clientele in the IT sector, the firm regularly offers legal counsel to education technology companies, software and application developers, ride-hailing service providers, and game developers. Asad Salahuddin oversees the team and has played a leading role in the rollout of mobile banking and e-commerce platforms across the country.
Responsables de la pratique:
Asad Salahuddin
Les références
‘Highly competent team that helps us with problem solving.’
‘Asad Salahuddin is hands on in terms of responding to our inquiries and coming up with solutions. The team works on strict timelines and are focused on results.’
‘Go out of their way to understand the changing regulations.’
Principaux clients
AI-Ponics Private Limited
Finja Private Limited
Bykea Technologies Private Limited
Abwaab Technologies Inc.
Edmatrix Private Limited
Cashew Financial Services Limited (Muawin)
Edufi Private Limited
Nymcard Payments Limited
Opay Digital Payment Private Limited
Prex Limited
Seedcred Financial Services Limited
Revest Private Limited
Taro Technologies Private Limited
Xisys Consulting Private Limited
HengShan Investment Limited
Techlogix Pakistan Private Limited
Trukkr Private Limited
Deem Ventures Limited
Finja Lending Services Limited
Adal Financial Pte. Ltd.
Million Ventures GMBH
MCB Bank Limited (Digital Banking)
Webwork Solution Private Limited
Smartlane IT Solution Private Limited
Bykea Cash Private Limited
Finja Inc. (Delaware Corp)
Edufi Pte Ltd
MDS Foods Private Limited
AH-Bridgelinx Solutions Private Limited
Rented Lifestyle Private Limited
Gorilla Bins Inc
Uzma Ventures Private Limited
Opay Pte ltd
Nym Technologies Holding Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Nymcard on the aggregation of BIN Sponsorship for Master Card and Visa Card.
- Assisting HengShan Investments, a fintech company of Chinese origin, with obtaining a non-banking finance company license in Pakistan.
- Advised Prex Limited, a Singapore-based entity, on the listing of its crypto derivatives exchange mobile application, on the Apple and Android stores in Pakistan.
Liaquat Merchant Associates
Liaquat Merchant Associates is headquartered in Karachi and regularly advises leading banks and software companies, boasting an in-depth knowledge of Pakistan’s telecoms sector. The team frequently drafts documents on software applications, licensing agreements, and outsourcing agreements. Of recent note, it has further developed its practice in the technology sphere, and is assisting startups looking to expand into the territory. The practice is led by the acclaimed senior partner Faresa Jafarey Ahsan, who is noted for her experience representing telecoms companies in licensing matters. She is supported by Mustafa Mumtaz, an expert in corporate and commercial law, as well as raising investor funds for major clients in the internet streaming industry, and UK-based practitioner Hira Ahmad.
Responsables de la pratique:
Faresa Jafarey Ahsan
Autres avocats clés:
Hira Ahmad; Mustafa Mumtaz
Les références
‘Very few law firms in Pakistan understand Regtech, whereas LMA, as a team, masters it. We have been engaged with LMA for granting approval of a SaaS based Trade Credit Insurance related software with offshore cloud hosting. They worked with us for more than 6 months over this and remained our legal protection and guardians during the contract negotiation, drafting, and finalisation of offshore contract with a reputed software vendor. The team worked brilliantly on this project.’
‘Hira Ahmad worked with us diligently and actively on contract drafting, negotiation, and finalisation of international contact with the software supplier. The legal expertise of LMA partners in this field is commendable.’
Principaux clients
DLA Piper
MasterCard
Wemsol (Private) Limited
Allied Bank Limited
Covalent (Private) Limited
Pi Pakistan
Archiving Data Solutions (Private) Limited
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Zapp One Systems (Private) Limited
Careem Pakistan
Bank AL Habib Limited
Habib Metropolitan Bank
Avanza Premier Payment Services (Private) Limited
EXIM Bank of Pakistan
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Covalent (Private) Limited on various contracts for technology related services provided by the client to banks, telecom companies, and utility companies.
- Assisting DLA Piper Nederland N.V. for Ikea with reviewing an intra-group data transfer agreement, which catered to data transfer to and from Pakistan, and advised the client on compliancy issues.
- Assisted the client with carrying out an assessment of local data privacy laws to gauge whether Pakistan’s legislation may put the personal data of the client at risk.
ABS & Co.
With offices in Islamabad and Lahore, ABS & Co. boasts a full-service IP offering that includes advising clients on copyrights, trademarks, and patents. It is also notable for its capabilities in complex transactions, software licensing, and royalty agreements. The firm has also advised startups on intangibles licensing and equity structuring. Islamabad-based Majid Bashir co-leads the practice alongside Samar Masood Soofi, who is well-regarded in the IP and technology sector and is regularly sought out by regulators, government departments, and universities for her professional expertise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Majid Bashir; Samar Masood
Les références
‘Their competence and calibrated response to their clients makes them different from their competitors. Samar Masood clearly stands out for her professional skills and leadership potential. She handled the deal with an international investor to the utmost satisfaction of our company.’
‘The team excels in their personalised approach, crafting solutions tailored to each transaction’s unique purpose. Unlike generic methods, they prioritise nuanced strategies that align with clients’ visions. Compared to other firms, the team’s distinctive features encompass tailored strategies, collaborative culture, tech integration, diversity commitment, and transparent billing, making them an exceptional choice for clients seeking effective and customised legal guidance.’
‘Unlike competitors, they avoid imposing rigid approaches, preferring adaptable solutions tailored to each client. They excel in simplifying complex legal concepts for easy understanding and proactively identifying risks with mitigation strategies. Notable individuals, like Samar Masood, go the extra mile to empower clients with transparent insights.’
Principaux clients
TMC Private Limited
Khazana Private Limited
MediPak Limited
Intellextual Solutions Private Limited
Swipbox Development ApS
MIC Global
Waada Digital
ZoodPay SA
OrientSwiss SA
Baadmay Tech (Pvt) Limited
Walk Through AI Limited
Raqami
FDHL
McDonalds
Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (State of Kuwait)
Civil Aviation Authority
Kredit Geek Private Limited
Bedz.Pk
Numbers Private Limited
Prosper Technologies Private Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised a pharmaceutical company on the licensing of technology and technical capabilities for an IV Infusion facility.
- Advised a client on the sale of its technology and intellectual property rights in a credit scoring system.
- Advised Tez Financial Services Limited on the provision of buy-now-pay-later services through an e-commerce lending platform.
Bharucha & Co.
An established boutique law firm, Bharucha & Co. covers all principal areas of IP law, from patents and designs to copyright and trademarks. Its extensive network of firms in key South Asian and Gulf territories further strengthens the practice. The team is co-led by Mohammad Fazil Bharucha, an experienced litigator in contentious and non-contentious IP matters, and Abdul Aziz, who supervises the patent department. Farzana Rustom and Hameeda Asif are also key names of note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mohammad Fazil Bharucha; Abdul Aziz
Autres avocats clés:
Farzana Rustom; Hameeda Asif
Principaux dossiers
Haidermota & Co Advocates
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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Shabbir Harianawala; Zahra Abid
Les références
‘High quality and experienced practice.’
‘Shabbir Harianawala is smart, commercially minded, and great to work with.’
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Khalid Anwer & Co.
A leading law firm situated in Karachi, Khalid Anwer & Co. has recently expanded into the TMT area, representing some of the country’s principal companies, such as Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited and Warid Telecom (Private) Limited. The team is led by a quartet of highly experienced litigators: Khalid Anwer, Raashid Anwer, Jawad Qureshi, and Yousuf Nasim.
Responsables de la pratique:
Khalid Anwer, Raashid Anwer, Jawad Qureshi; Yousaf Nasim.
Principaux clients
Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited
Mashreq Global Services (SMC) Private Ltd.
Majeed & Partners, Advocates & Counsellors At Law
Boasting an in-depth knowledge of the regulatory landscape, Majeed & Partners, Advocates & Counsellors At Law caters to global brands and is led by Lahore-based managing partner, Saqib Majeed. One client praises the team for 'a remarkable specialisation in M&A transactions, particularly within the technology sector'. With a background in telecoms, the firm is well-placed to advise start-ups on structuring their businesses, relevant national regulatory frameworks, and identifying potential risks.
Responsables de la pratique:
Saqib Majeed
Les références
‘Majeed & Partners is an outstanding law firm with a remarkable specialisation in M&A transactions, particularly within the technology sector. Their M&A team’s diverse background enables them to conduct thorough due diligence, providing clients with invaluable insights for making well-informed decisions.’
‘The team’s capability to meet tight deadlines while maintaining seamless collaboration is commendable, making them an invaluable asset for any business.’
‘Saqib Majeed offers pragmatic advice that withstands legal scrutiny and showcases impressive commercial acumen. He possesses expertise in laws governing the TMT sector.’
Principaux clients
Hexagon AB
Advantest Corporation
SwipBox Pakistan (Private) Limited
Chakor Software (Private) Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Hexagon AB, Sweden, in connection with its acquisition of LocLab Consulting, Germany.
- Acted for Advantest Corporation, Japan, in connection with its acquisition of US based R&D Altanova, Inc. and its international subsidiaries.
- Advised a global automobile manufacturer on certain sensitive legal issues concerning local business arrangements and local data processing, privacy, and protection laws.