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A collaborating firm of Andersen Global

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A collaborating firm of Andersen Global

Azm Ali

Azm Ali
Partner
Samdani Qureshi Aqlaal, Pakistan

Mr. Azm Ali is a Partner at SQA and heads the firm’s transactional advisory practice.  His work focuses primarily on infrastructure, energy, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, advising governments, lenders, sponsors, and multilateral programs on complex, high-value transactions.

He has played a central role in the structuring, negotiation, and financial closing of major hydropower, renewable energy, tourism, and public infrastructure projects across Pakistan. His work includes drafting and negotiating concession agreements, financing documents, regulatory frameworks, and transaction documentation, with a strong emphasis on risk allocation and contractual clarity.  He has led and worked on the following notable assignments in last few years.

He graduated in law by securing first position in LLB and two gold medals from the Punjab University and also holds LLM (Tax) from the University of San Francisco, USA:

Infrastructure / PPP projects practice

  1. From 2014 to till date, acted as retained project counsel for 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project, Rawalpindi, Pakistan with total project cost of approx. US$ 1.53 billion advising project sponsors in all phases of the project from inception till completion; Project achieved financial closing in February 2017 and COD in June 2022
  2. From 2016 to till date, advice intermittently to the project sponsors on 1124 MW Kohala Hydropower Project (LOS stage) and 590 MW Mahl Hydropower Project (LOI stage) on various project related matters
  3. From 2016 to till date, advice intermittently to the project sponsors on 50 MW Three Gorges First Wind Farm Project (with cost of approx. US$ 110 million; COD achieved in November 2014), 50 MW Three Gorges Second Wind Farm Project (with cost of approx. US$ 112 million; COD achieved in June 2018) and 50 MW Three Gorges Third Wind Farm Project (with cost of approx. US$ 112 million; COD achieved in June 2018) on various project related matters.
  4. In 2025, under the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) program, a UKAID funded program implemented by Adam Smith International, UK, acted as transaction legal counsel for the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in relation to the international competitive bidding for the development of Galiyat Tourist Resort comprising on 400 kanal on PPP mode; work scope included preparation of RFP document (which includes the concession agreement and other project documents), award of the project leading to the commercial close of the projects. The assignment kicked off in January 2025. The letter of award for Galiyat project was awarded to the successful bidder in September 2025.
  5. In 2024, under the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) program, a UKAID funded program implemented by Adam Smith International, UK, provided legal transaction advisory services to the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) on its hydro power projects’ transition to captive power mode and supply of electricity to the industrial areas/economic zones. The assignment kicked off in March 2024, demand assessment concluded in December 2024, and transaction structuring approved by the client in December 2025.
  6. In 2024, under the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) program, a UKAID funded program implemented by Adam Smith International, UK, provided strategic legal advisory and transactional support concerning the Economic Zones Solarization Projects for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC). The assignment concluded in December 2024.
  7. During 2020-23, acted as project counsel for the Government of Sindh in relation to the financial closing of a PPP water supply project (approx. 60 km) from Nabisar to Vajihar in Sindh with total project cost of approx. US$ 190 million; concession agreements were executed in June 2021 and financing documents executed in November 2021 followed by the amendments of the concession and financing agreements, and achievement of financial close in December 2023.
  8. In 2020-21, under the Sustainable Energy for Pakatan (SEP) Project, a USAID funded program implemented by Tetra Tech Es, Inc., USA, acted as transaction counsel for the Alternative Energy Development Board, Government of Pakistan (AEDB) in relation to the financial closing of four (4) solar PV power projects with total cost of approx. US$ 150 million and cumulative capacity of 250 MW; the projects achieved financial closing in February 2021.
  9. In 2020/2021, under the Sustainable Energy for Pakatan (SEP) Project, a USAID funded program implemented by Tetra Tech Es, Inc., USA, preparation of RFP documents for the reverse auction (first of its kind in Pakistan) for wind and solar projects in Pakistan with industry consultations. The auction/RFP packaged obtained the regulatory approval.
  10. In 2019, under the Sustainable Energy for Pakatan (SEP) Project, a USAID funded program implemented by Tetra Tech Es, Inc., USA, acted as transaction counsel for Alternative Energy Development Board, Government of Pakistan (AEDB) in relation to the financial closing of twelve (12) wind power projects with total cost of approx. US$ 800 million and cumulative capacity of 610 MW. The Projects achieved financial closing in November 2019.
  11. In 2019/2020, preparation of wheeling framework (first of its kind in Pakistan) for sale of electricity from PEDO-owned 18 MW Pehur Hydropower Project to the industrial consumers of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
  12. In 2015, as part of the core team at the firm, preparation of standardized package of concession agreements (Implementation Agreement, Energy Purchase Agreement and the Water Use Agreement) for small hydropower projects (up to 25 MW) in Pakistan in light of upfront tariff determined by NEPRA.

Corporate & Commercial practice

  1. In 2025, acted as counsel for the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, (Government of Pakistan (NAVTTC) in relation to Pakistan’s first Social Impact Bond (PSIB) issued by NAVTTC. The transaction documents were executed in December 2025.
  2. In 2023-24, acted as transaction counsel for the Bank of Khyber in relation to the refinancing of approx. PKR 1 billion financing facility for the Heavy Electrical Complex in connection with its privatization; The transaction kicked off in 2023 achieved completion in January 2024.
  3. In 2023-2024, acted as lender’s local counsel for a Spanish state-owned creditor concerning credit facilities amounting to EUR 21,952,107 extended to an Australian borrower. Our role involved advising on the security structure related to the provision of collateral by the borrower’s affiliated company in Pakistan. The assignment kicked off in 2023 and concluded early 2024.
  4. During 2022-23, acted as a local counsel for two (2) separate transactions entailing transfer of shares of China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (CSAIL) advising on shareholding structure, amendments in the shareholders and other transactions agreements and compliance under the local laws and project agreements of the CSAIL’s power generation projects (six in total) in Pakistan.
  5. In 2022, acted a transaction counsel in relation to the transfer of tower assets with worth of around PKR 9 billion from one licensee to another; preparation of transaction documents; completion achieved in November 2022.
  6. In 2022, preparation of NEPRA (Microgrid) Regulations, 2022 (notified)
  7. In 2022, acted as counsel for a borrower in relation to the financing facilities of approx. PKR. 4.3 billion availed by a telecom company for its tower business.
  8. In 2021, acted as counsel for a borrower in relation to the financing facilities of approx. PKR 1.24 billion availed by a telecom company for its tower business
  9. In 2021, acted as counsel for a borrower in relation to the financing facilities of approx. PKR 4 billion availed by a real estate company for its multipurpose real estate project in Islamabad
  10. In 2018/2019, acted as lender’s local counsel for a Chinese bank in relation to the breach of financing agreements of three (3) solar power projects (100 MW each) in Pakistan; preparation of default notices and rectification documents.
  11. In 2016, worked as part of the core team at the firm advising the state-owned cooperation on its reconstruction of explosives business concerning investment by the Chinese corporation, which involved drafting JV agreements, investment agreements, subscription agreements, and filing of de-merger petition with a court of law; transaction achieved completion in May 2016.

Policy and Regulatory matters

  1. In 2025-26, under the National Governance Programme of the UNDP, preparation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Electric Power Regulatory Bill, 2025 for the Energy and Power Department of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  2. In 2021, preparation of AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2021 (notified)
  3. In 2019, assisted Alternative Energy Development Board, Government of Pakistan (AEDB) in preparation and finalization of the Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019 (notified)
  4. In 2018, preparation of AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2018 (notified).
  5. In 2016, worked, as part of the core team at the firm, for AEDB in relation to the financial closing of two (2) solar power projects (10 MW and 18 MW); negotiations of project agreements leading to the achievement of financial closing in 2016.
  6. In 2014-2015, as part of the core team at the firm, preparation of green paper on wheeling of electricity in Pakistan for the Punjab Power Development Board, Punjab.

Work Record

  • SAMDANI QURESHI AQLAAL, Islamabad
    • Partner (January 2023 – till date)
  • AQLAAL Advocates, Islamabad
    • January 2014 to December 2022  
      • Partner (July 2018 – December 2022)
      • Associate Partner (April 2017 to June 2018)
      • Senior Associate (January 2016 to March 2017)
      • Associate (January 2014 to December 2015)
    • Sardar Ishaq Law Chambers, Rawalpindi
      • Junior Counsel (July 2012 to December 2013)

Education

  • Masters in Tax Law – LLM (Tax) – University of San Francisco, USA
  • Bachelors in Law – LLB (Gold Medalist) – University of the Punjab, Pakistan
  • Masters in Political Science – University of the Punjab, Pakistan

Professional Development/Courses

  • Civil/Commercial Mediation Training Program from ADR ODR International, UK
  • Project Management Course from LUMS, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Negotiations Skills Course from LUMS, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Islamic Jurisprudence and Fiqh Course from International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan

Professional Accreditations

  • Member, Punjab Bar Council, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Lifetime Member, Rawalpindi District Bar Association, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Lifetime Member, Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Contact

  • Office: SAMDANI QURESHI AQLAAL, 642, Aun Muhammad Rizvi Road, G-10/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Cell: (+92) 333 5089988
  • Tel: (+92-51) 2111595-8
  • E-mail: azm@sqalaw.com; azmali.adv@gmail.com