Expertise

At Saleem & Mamdot, we provide bespoke, high-level legal services across a select set of complex, high-value practice areas. Our clients include multinational corporations, financial institutions, public sector bodies, startups, and investors operating across diverse industries. Our multi-disciplinary teams combine legal precision with deep commercial insight to advise on strategic matters that are often sector-defining.

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

We advise leading domestic and international financial institutions, corporates, and fintechs on a wide range of complex financing and capital markets matters. Our team combines deep regulatory insight with transactional expertise, enabling us to deliver practical, market-driven solutions in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Our experience includes:

Structuring and documenting innovative Shariah-compliant instruments, including Sukuk, Ijarah, Modaraba, and Murabaha, for both private and public issuances
Advising on structured finance, cross-border syndications, bilateral and syndicated facilities, and private placements, including under tight regulatory timelines
Supporting foreign and local clients in navigating Pakistan’s financial regulatory framework, including engagement with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the SECP, and foreign exchange authorities
Acting for NBFCs, DFIs, and fintech lenders on financing structures, rollovers, investment instruments, and enforcement strategy
Advising multinationals and startups alike on employee stock options, incentive plans, and capital repatriation strategies
Representing investment banks and exchanges in landmark matters involving demutualization, corporatization, and governance reform

We are known for our ability to anticipate regulatory shifts and provide strategic guidance that balances innovation, risk and compliance, making us a trusted partner for clients pursuing complex or first-of-their-kind transactions in Pakistan.

Business Entity Formation

We provide end-to-end advisory on business formation and market entry in Pakistan, covering entity structuring, incorporation, licensing, and sector-specific operational requirements. Our lawyers have advised multinational and regional clients, from global microinsurance distributors and telecom consortia to foreign manufacturers and retail chains, on establishing legal presence, navigating investment approvals, and developing governance and compliance frameworks. We routinely handle incorporations for startups, representative offices, and joint ventures, including advising on local nominee structures, capitalisation, and alignment with regulatory expectations under SECP and SBP oversight.

Our team has advised on SBP regulatory frameworks governing foreign direct investment, equity injections, remittances, and repatriation of profits and dividends. We assist clients in obtaining SBP approvals under the Foreign Exchange Manual, advise on registration of foreign equity and shareholder loans, and guide documentation for inward and outward remittances, particularly for tech, finance, and services clients entering regulated sectors. We also advise on the structuring of cross-border commercial arrangements to ensure compliance with SBP’s licensing, anti-money laundering, and fit & proper criteria where applicable.

Corporate & Commercial

We advise on complex corporate and commercial matters, combining sector-specific insight with a deep understanding of Pakistan’s legal and regulatory framework. Our multidisciplinary practice supports local conglomerates, multinationals, development sector organizations, and high-growth startups in structuring, expanding, and sustaining their business operations across industries.

We routinely advise on the structuring, negotiation, and execution of shareholder agreements, joint venture arrangements, and strategic investment partnerships. Our work includes cross-border joint ventures in sectors such as FMCG, infrastructure, e-commerce and financial services. We conduct comprehensive legal due diligence exercises for mergers, acquisitions, land acquisitions, and business integrations. Our team has acted for international investors and buyers in acquisitions in the real estate, telecom, and healthcare sectors, including multi-jurisdictional compliance assessments for foreign investments in Pakistan.

We draft, negotiate, and review a wide range of commercial agreements, including supply and distribution contracts, franchise and licensing agreements, service level agreements, and outsourcing contracts. We bring particular strength in advising on long-term infrastructure arrangements, EPC contracts and complex service and technology licensing arrangements. Our lawyers also advise on optimal corporate structures aligned with business goals and regulatory expectations, including company formations, restructurings, capital reorganizations, and group consolidations. We regularly support boards and senior management with the design and implementation of corporate governance policies, delegation frameworks, and internal compliance protocols.

We assist international clients with all aspects of market entry, including advising on the Foreign Exchange Manual, sector-specific investment restrictions, and repatriation of profits and royalties. Our team is adept at structuring cross-border arrangements to ensure operational flexibility while maintaining compliance with SECP and SBP frameworks.

Our recent engagements include advising on the structuring of a major foreign investment in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector; representing a global telecom investor on the acquisition of strategic spectrum assets; supporting a retail giant in acquiring land for multiple sites across Pakistan; and advising on restructuring and governance frameworks for a regional investment group entering Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors.

Competition/Antitrust Law

We advise clients on complex competition and antitrust matters across a wide spectrum of industries, including retail, energy, logistics, manufacturing, packaging, and financial services. Our work includes merger control filings, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, compliance reviews, and strategic advisory in the context of M&A, joint ventures, and market restructuring. The firm has secured merger approvals from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) for significant transactions involving vertical and horizontal integration, and regularly advises on structuring deals to address potential competition concerns. We have represented clients in CCP show-cause proceedings, including matters involving allegations of price-fixing, market allocation, and deceptive marketing practices. Our services also include competition audits, risk assessments, and the development of internal compliance frameworks tailored for operational and commercial teams. We combine transactional insight with regulatory precision to deliver commercially viable and regulatorily sound outcomes across both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Construction & Real Estate

Our firm advises on high-stakes real estate and construction matters involving industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Pakistan. Our team of lawyers have acted for both international and domestic clients in project structuring, land acquisition, and development across sectors including retail, logistics, power, and telecommunications. Our experience includes negotiating a USD 140 million EPC contract for a coal-fired power plant, advising on land due diligence for the expansion of a multinational retail chain across multiple cities, and supporting the legal framework for the deployment of a submarine fiber optic cable system between Pakistan and the UAE.

We regularly draft and negotiate complex construction contracts, including FIDIC-based agreements, and advise on lease structures, joint development arrangements, and regulatory approvals.

We are also experienced in advising on the establishment and regulatory structuring of REITs, including the legal structuring of REIT schemes, compliance with applicable REIT regulations and navigating approvals from the SECP.

Construction & Real Estate

We regularly draft and negotiate complex construction contracts, including FIDIC-based agreements, and advise on lease structures, joint development arrangements, and regulatory approvals.

Data Protection & Privacy

Our team advises clients on data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity matters across sectors such as telecom, insurance, financial services, and e-commerce. We have supported companies in developing privacy policies, consent frameworks, and internal data handling protocols, especially for mobile-based services and digital platforms.

We regularly assist clients in reviewing data-sharing arrangements, cross-border data transfers, and vendor agreements. Our work includes advising on how to manage personal and sensitive data, including customer and transactional information, in compliance with Pakistan’s evolving data protection landscape.

We also guide clients on integrating privacy considerations into product development and service delivery, helping ensure that regulatory obligations are met from the outset. Our team works closely with compliance and legal departments to strengthen data governance and reduce legal and reputational risk in both domestic and cross-border operations.

Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

We have extensive experience in both domestic and international arbitration and mediation proceedings:

Representation before ICC and LCIA in London, Singapore, and Pakistan
Local arbitration under the Arbitration Act, 1940, and commercial mediation under SECP’s notified framework
Acting as counsel in complex contractual, shareholder, construction, and infrastructure disputes
Successful resolution of disputes involving leading energy, telecom, construction, and government entities

Electricity & Energy Law

Our team has deep experience advising on energy and power sector projects, including large-scale generation, transmission, and distribution initiatives. We have supported clients across conventional and renewable energy sectors, such as solar, coal, and biomass, providing legal guidance on project structuring, land acquisition, EPC contract negotiation, regulatory approvals, and environmental compliance. Our work includes acting on behalf of international and domestic stakeholders in complex infrastructure transactions, including a US$140 million EPC agreement for a coal-fired power plant.

We also advise on a wide range of commercial and regulatory issues in the energy sector, including licensing, compliance, and transactional documentation. Drawing on long-standing experience in the gas and petroleum space, our team has worked on the drafting and negotiation of natural gas and LPG sale and purchase agreements, and continues to support clients navigating evolving legal and policy landscapes in the power and utilities sector.

Employment & Labour

We offer advisory and dispute resolution services to employers across sectors:

Drafting of employment agreements, HR policies, and executive contracts
Advisory on employee terminations, layoffs, and industrial relations
Representation before labour courts, EOBI, Social Security, and other forums
Support in workplace investigations, anti-harassment compliance, and internal inquiries

Fintech & Digital Services

Our lawyers advise new and established companies offering financial and digital services in Pakistan. We have worked with some of Pakistan’s first mobile-based insurance providers and digital-only platforms. Our support includes helping clients obtain licenses, understand payment regulations, and comply with cybersecurity and data privacy rules. We have also helped draft terms of service, user policies and commercial contracts. Whether launching a digital wallet or an app-based insurance product, clients trust us to navigate the regulatory landscape and build strong legal foundations for their operations in Pakistan.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Our team regularly assists foreign investors in establishing and expanding their businesses in Pakistan. We provide comprehensive legal support from the earliest stages of market entry, advising on the most suitable corporate structure, handling incorporation, and securing approvals from key regulators such as the Board of Investment (BOI), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and relevant provincial and sectoral authorities.

We guide clients through land acquisition, the structuring of joint ventures with local partners, and the drafting and negotiation of project and commercial agreements. Our team also advises on capital inflows, foreign exchange approvals,\ and profit repatriation in compliance with local laws and investment policies.

Our experience includes advising international clients on public-private partnerships, establishing special purpose vehicles, and navigating long-term leases and licensing in industries such as energy, telecommunications, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, and insurance.

Clients rely on us not only for due diligence and transaction structuring but also for our ability to engage effectively with regulators and anticipate legal and policy developments. By combining strategic legal insight with a clear understanding of Pakistan’s regulatory and investment landscape, we help ensure smooth market entry and long-term operational stability for foreign investors.

Hospitality & Leisure

Our team has developed deep expertise in advising clients in the hospitality, food service, and leisure industries on the full range of legal and regulatory matters. We have assisted hotel operators, developers, and foreign investors with structuring and negotiating hotel management and franchise agreements, real estate development arrangements, and joint venture frameworks.

Our work includes advising on land acquisition, tourism and environmental licensing, lease agreements, branding and F&B operations and the establishment of special purpose vehicles for project execution.

Our experience includes advising on the establishment of a luxury hotel in partnership with a provincial government, which involved the negotiation of joint venture terms and incorporation of a local project company. We have also supported clients in forming joint ventures to develop, construct, and manage multiple luxury hotels and resorts across key tourism regions in Pakistan, including drafting joint venture agreements, preparing heads of terms, negotiating governance structures and overseeing the formation of dedicated entities for phased hotel development. In cross-border matters, we have advised on regional hospitality ventures across MENA and Asia, including the review of constituent documents, trademark license agreements, project management contracts, and other service arrangements. Our strong grasp of sector-specific regulatory requirements and commercial sensitivities allows us to provide end-to-end legal support, from project inception to operational rollout.

Insurance, Insurtech & Regulatory Licensing

We advise a broad spectrum of clients in the insurance industry, including conventional insurers, digital-only insurance providers, insurance agents, and brokers. Our team has experience navigating SECP’s complex regulatory framework and has been actively involved in obtaining licenses for new entrants, particularly in the InsurTech space.

Our services in this area include:

Assisting with the licensing, structuring, and launch of digital insurers, insurance brokers, and intermediaries, from initial strategy to full operational readiness
Providing ongoing regulatory support, including compliance frameworks, governance advisory, and engagement with the regulator on evolving requirements
Drafting product terms, distribution agreements, reinsurance contracts, and embedded insurance models tailored for digital and traditional channels
Advising international insurers on market entry strategies, structuring of cross-border offerings, and regulatory engagement
Supporting the development of InsurTech ecosystems, including mobile-first platforms, telco bundling and digital onboarding integrations
Leading the licensing and setup of Pakistan’s first mobile-based insurance distributor and a digital-only non-life insurer, with continued advisory across telecommunications, digital compliance, data governance, employment, IP protection and strategic partnerships

International, Governmental & Development Sector Advisory

Our partners have been engaged by some of the world’s most respected international development institutions, multilateral financial organizations, global think tanks, and government bodies—including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Chatham House (UK), SMEC International (USA), the European Union (GSP+ Compliance), the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), the Urban Unit (Punjab), and WEConnect International. These engagements have encompassed infrastructure development, environmental regulation, water governance, trade and treaty compliance, SME support, and institutional reform—delivered with discretion, strategic insight, and measurable impact.

Our experience includes:

Advising on infrastructure and energy development projects involving legal due diligence, SPV structuring, procurement compliance, and review of municipal and provincial legal frameworks.
Drafting environmental laws and regulatory frameworks for environmental protection agencies.
Providing legal support on basin-wide environmental and social assessments and related hydropower initiatives.
Conducting legal and policy research on water governance, transboundary management, and decentralized policy reform in collaboration with international think tanks.
Advising on capacity-building and policy development projects targeting SMEs, procurement systems, and commercial law awareness.
Enhancing SME legal literacy through the review, localization, and translation of legal and commercial contract templates under enterprise development programs.
Supporting compliance with international treaty obligations related to human rights, labour law, and environmental standards.
Providing legal assessments and advisory services for donor-funded urban development, infrastructure, and governance reform initiatives.
Assisting in the certification and inclusion of women-owned businesses within global supplier diversity frameworks.

Offering legal advisory on regional governance, regulatory harmonization, and public-private interface design under international technical assistance programs.

Intellectual Property Law

Our firm’s intellectual property practice is particularly active in advising startups, tech companies, and emerging businesses on securing and leveraging their intangible assets. We provide comprehensive support in the registration of trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs with the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan), and guide clients on brand protection and portfolio management from early-stage to growth. Our team has assisted technology-focused businesses with the structuring and licensing of proprietary software, mobile applications, and digital platforms. We regularly draft IP ownership frameworks, licensing agreements, and commercial contracts for tech-enabled business models, and support clients during investment rounds where IP assets form a central part of the transaction. We have also advised on the sale and licensing of IP assets as part of larger joint ventures and commercial arrangements, ensuring alignment between IP value and strategic business goals.

Mergers & Acquisitions

We have significant experience advising on high-value and complex M&A transactions, both domestic and international. Our M&A practice includes:

Structuring and negotiation of mergers, acquisitions, demergers, and reorganizations
Advising on asset and share acquisitions involving listed and unlisted companies
Representation of strategic buyers, financial investors, and private equity funds
Cross-border investments in sectors including energy, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, technology, and hospitality
Negotiating regulatory approvals and managing post-transaction corporate restructuring

Oil & Gas

Our team has advised extensively on complex legal and regulatory matters in the downstream oil and gas sector. This includes drafting and negotiating LPG sale and purchase agreements, reviewing proposed utility and gas distribution legislation, and advising on compliance with OGRA’s licensing and regulatory framework. Drawing on our partners’ deep experience in energy regulation and legislative advisory, we have supported LPG distributors, public authorities, and utility stakeholders on legal structuring, tariff mechanisms, and regulatory reform initiatives. Our work reflects a comprehensive understanding of sector-specific policy, commercial dynamics, and institutional frameworks shaping the energy market in Pakistan.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

We serve as trusted legal advisors to high-growth startups, founders, and venture capital funds navigating Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital and tech ecosystem. Our team brings sector-specific insights and a strong regulatory understanding to support innovation and scale.

Our lawyers regularly draft and negotiate a full suite of investment instruments, including convertible debt notes, SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity), preference share agreements, and hybrid equity instruments, with a sharp focus on legal enforceability, regulatory compliance, and commercial alignment with investor objectives. We ensure all structuring complies with the Companies Act 2017, SECP private placement regulations, and State Bank of Pakistan foreign exchange and repatriation frameworks, particularly in transactions involving foreign investors.

Our team leads and manages comprehensive legal due diligence exercises, reviewing corporate records, intellectual property ownership, regulatory licenses, contractual risks, and litigation exposure. We advise on term sheet negotiation, investment agreement drafting, and customized shareholder arrangements, balancing founder control with investor protections. Our work includes preparing drag-along/tag-along rights, anti-dilution provisions, pre-emptive rights, and information rights, ensuring both startup scalability and investor security.

We counsel clients on exit strategies, including secondary sales, call/put options, and IPO readiness, and structure governance frameworks that reflect investment stage, board composition, and reserved matters. Our lawyers design and implement Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs), vesting schedules, and founder lock-in agreements to incentivize talent retention and reduce dilution risks and advice on data privacy and cybersecurity compliance under local and cross-border legal regimes. In cross-border deals, we also advise on tax structuring and offshore holding structures where needed.

For startups, our support extends from incorporation and founder structuring to investment readiness, cap table modeling, and negotiating funding rounds from pre-seed to Series A and beyond. Whether acting for a global VC firm or an early-stage founder, our team provides transaction-focused, regulatorily sound, and sector-informed legal guidance through every stage of the venture cycle.

Projects, Energy & Infrastructure (Including PPPs)

We advise public sector entities, developers, sponsors, and financial institutions on the legal, regulatory, and commercial aspects of infrastructure and energy projects across Pakistan. Our work spans traditional and renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs), combining legal rigor with policy insight.

Our services include:

Advising on the development and financing of energy projects, including solar, biomass, wind, hybrid, and combined-cycle power plants
Structuring concession agreements, EPC and O&M contracts, implementation agreements, and risk allocation frameworks under NEPRA, provincial, and federal policy regimes
Conducting legal due diligence, advising on land acquisition, procurement strategies, and financial structuring
Representing clients in negotiations with public authorities and multilateral institutions
Advising on compliance with environmental, social, and regulatory frameworks, including permitting, ESG standards, and climate resilience policies
Drafting legislative and policy frameworks in collaboration with government stakeholders

Public Procurement Law

Our team has advised both public entities and private bidders on public procurement processes under federal and provincial PPRA frameworks. Our experience includes drafting and reviewing RFPs, bid submissions, procurement notices, and tender documentation across infrastructure, healthcare, and donor-funded sectors. We guide clients through the full lifecycle of public procurement, from pre-bid compliance to bid protests and contract execution, with a deep understanding of the operational and legal nuances of regulated procurement regimes.

Real Estate, Construction & Development

We offer end-to-end legal support to developers, real estate funds, and construction companies:

Structuring of REITs, commercial projects, housing schemes, and town planning initiatives
Due diligence, title verification, project finance, and dispute resolution
Drafting construction contracts, development agreements, and project management documentation
Advisory on real estate acquisitions, land transfers, leasehold structuring, and environmental compliance

Regulatory & Compliance

We routinely advise boards, senior management and regulated entities on compliance matters before Pakistan’s key regulatory bodies:

Engagement with SECP, SBP, CCP and PTA on licensing, enforcement actions and advisory
Compliance audits, internal controls and regulatory reporting frameworks
Advisory on labour laws, procurement rules, corporate governance, and anti-trust
Support in enforcement and investigation proceedings, fit & proper criteria and sector-specific compliance.

Regulatory & Licensing

We advise clients across a wide range of regulated sectors—such as fintech, insurance, digital health, microfinance, and telecommunications—on complex licensing and regulatory compliance matters. Our work spans the full regulatory lifecycle: from securing licenses and approvals from key regulators including the SECP, SBP, CCP, PTA, and numerous provincial and federal authorities, to providing counsel on governance, post-licensing obligations, and compliance audits.

Our team routinely prepares licensing applications, internal policies, KYC and e-KYC protocols, data protection frameworks, and sector-specific risk matrices tailored to applicable laws and industry standards. We also support clients in obtaining specialized authorizations such as CVAS (Content and Value-Added Services) licenses and shortcode allocations from the PTA. We assist both foreign and domestic entities in navigating entry barriers, structuring cross-border ownership, and ensuring long-term regulatory alignment and operational sustainability.