Off-Counsel

Mr Hugh Mathew Jones has over 35 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant. He is now a consultant, having previously been a partner in two of the UK’s top 10 accountancy practices for 19 years. His experience lies in the specialist fields of valuation, forensics and investigations, and corporate finance. He was the national head of both the Corporate Finance and Forensic Services departments of PKF (UK) LLP. He also acted as Money Laundering Reporting Officer for PKF and sat on the risk and professional indemnity committees. He has also worked as a finance director in the software and car retailing industries. He has given evidence as an independent expert several times in the High Court of England and Wales and before tribunals in international arbitrations.

Off-Counsel

Dr Suddle has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, anti-corruption, and justice sector modernization and capacity building. He has served in federal and provincial public organizations dealing with white-collar crime economic crime agencies, such as the Director of Economic Crime, Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan, Director General of the Intelligence Bureau, Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Interior. As head of some of these organizations, he gained hands-on experience in dealing with intricate public policy, extradition, and institutional reform issues, financial crimes committed nationally, regionally, and internationally, institutional overhauling for efficiency and effectiveness, systemic reforms, including the landmark replacement of the anachronistic 1861 Police Act with the Police Order 2002. Dr. Suddle has published extensively and is Pakistan’s most highly decorated veteran public servant. In recognition of his exemplary service, he received top national awards, such as the Hilal-e-Shujaat, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal, and the President’s Police Medal. He has a PhD in white-collar crime and is an alum of the University of Cardiff, UK.
• He is leading multiple organizations and government initiatives, such as:
• One-Man Commission on Minority Rights, appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (since 2019)
• Expert, Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime, Geneva (since 2017)
• Director and Senior Fellow at the Global Think Tank Network, Islamabad (since 2017).
• Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT)’s Committee of Experts on Rule of Law and the Steering Committee for the Assessment of the Quality of Governance in Pakistan (since 2016).
• Strategic Advisor to the Centre for Research on Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad, and chair of the FCO-sponsored Track II/1.5 Beyond Boundaries Dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan (since 2015).
• Advisor to Turkish National Police (2004-2008)
• Visiting Expert, United Nations Asia and Far East Institute (UNAFEI) on Crime Prevention and Treatment of Offenders, Tokyo (since 1993)
• International Director at the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation, Tokyo (since 1993).

Chartered and Certified Accountant
Islamabad

Mr Zafar Ali Khan is a qualified Chartered and Certified Accountant (UK and Pakistan). He is a highly qualified professional with over 35 years of rich and diversified experience in finance, corporate management, policy formulation, investment planning, privatization, and power regulation. He has an ideal blend of academic and professional qualifications with working experiences in private and public sectors and government within the country and abroad.
He served in the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority as Member Finance for over five and half years (including as Acting Chairman/Vice Chairman), where he worked on matters relating to power generation. Possessing a strong finance and corporate management background and experience working for the government at senior levels, he contributed by strengthening the Tariff Division, improving tariff determinations and review framework, and developing tariff mechanisms for wind, co-generation, and Hydel Power Projects.
He also worked as a Managing Director (Chief Executive Officer) of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) for about four years, which provides a ‘one-window’ facility to investors in the private power sector by acting as a one-stop organization on behalf of all ministries, departments, and agencies of the federal and provincial governments in matters relating to establishing power projects and related infrastructure in the private sector. Further, he served as a Federal Secretary at the Ministry of Privatization and Member Privatization Commission, Government of Pakistan, for four years on strategically essential assignments. He played a pivotal role in redefining the Pakistan Privatization Policy and restructured several power transactions and various banks after developing the enabling legal and financial framework.
He has also worked as Managing Director of three very large Engineering Companies, i.e., Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), Heavy Foundry & Forge (HFF) and Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC). He has in-depth knowledge and requisite experience of the legal, financial, commercial, and corporate governance issues confronting Pakistan’s industrial, investment, and power sectors. His most recent experience includes but is not limited to working as advisor/team leader for several projects revolving around corporate governance, human capital management, corporate restructuring, power & energy sector reforms, etc., for clients like The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID IESCO, Rouch Power, COMSATS, PEMRA, etc. He has worked extensively in the UK, Middle East, and Pakistan with reputable international professional firms of Chartered Accountants (A.F. Ferguson, Moore Stephens, Price Waterhouse) and successfully managed International Privatization Road Shows.

Attorney
Dubai

Mr Syed Shahbaz is a legal consultant active in corporate and commercial law practice transactional work. He has in-depth experience in entrepreneurship & Client Relations Management.and complicated patent cases heard by the Supreme Court to maximize the customers’ benefits. Mr. Li also made patent strategic planning for large domestic enterprises and was the perennial legal advisor for many companies and organizations.

LL.M in International Business Law (University of Manchester)
Advocate High Courts of Pakistan

Mr Sohaib has worked as a consultant for DFID and regularly advises and is engaged in non-contentious work for international non-governmental organizations, governmental organizations, and corporations. He specializes and has experience in construction contracts, capital markets, banking and micro-finance, telecom, energy, employment/labor and service, competition, and construction & engineering. He has extensive experience in corporate and commercial matters, including incorporation of companies, commencement, initial public offering (IPO), corporate governance, directors’ liability, securitization, Corporate Finance, Stock Exchange Listing, restructuring, rehabilitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Pakistan (SECP), Compliance and litigation, mergers, acquisitions, and winding-up.
He has served at the SECP as Registrar of the Appellate Bench for seven years, drafted the new Companies Act 2017, dealt with administrative issues, and assisted the Appellate Bench of the SECP. He has represented corporations, government departments, and agencies before various tribunals and courts.

Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan
Rawalpindi

Mr Sheikh Iftikhar Ahmed’s practice areas primarily include business and complex commercial litigation. He has successfully represented individual and institutional clients in various high stakes matters, including corporate litigation, contract, and matrimonial disputes and investigations involving whitecollar crimes. He regularly appears in all the subordinate courts and tribunals, the High Courts, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Advocate High Courts of Pakistan
Rawalpindi

Mr Faisal Iftikhar specializes in civil litigation, arbitration, and general legal consultancy. He has a vast practice in cases relating to property and contractual disputes.

Attorney
China

Mr. Li Chen has an educational background in both science and law. He is a member of the professional patent committee of the Beijing Lawyers Association. Mr. Chen has been engaged in legal services covering intellectual property, comprehensive legal business, and commercial litigation for 12 years. He is mainly responsible for administrative and civil disputes involving antitrust, standard-essential patent SEPs, trademarks, Copyright, technological secrets, domain names, etc. Mr. Li also provides customers with comprehensive professional legal services, such as strategic layout of intellectual property and compliance disputes. With a profound professional background and practical experience, Mr. Li has dealt with over 400 dispute cases concerning antitrust/competition, intellectual property, and commercial litigation. He has won many complex and complicated patent cases heard by the Supreme Court to maximize the customers’ benefits. Mr. Li also made patent strategic planning for large domestic enterprises and was the perennial legal advisor for many companies and organizations.

Attorney
United States of America

Kiran Nasir Gore is counsel in Washington, DC, working on all facets of international dispute resolution. Over the past ten years, Ms. Gore has developed expertise in public and private international law, foreign investment strategies, and international dispute resolution. Her current and past clients include governments, corporations, institutions, and private individuals. Ms. Gore advocates before US courts, ad hoc arbitration panels, commercial and investment tribunals, and investigative authorities. In addition, she provides strategic advice on treaty law, conflict of laws, and legislative reform. Ms. Gore supports GW Law’s International and Comparative Law Program by teaching Fundamental Issues in US Law, a course for foreign LLM students to better understand the US legal system, alongside two legal research and writing courses. Ms. Gore is also the coach and advisor to GW Law’s Vis Commercial Arbitration Moot team, which competes annually in Vienna or Hong Kong. She has been involved with the Vis Moot since 2008, having served as a competitor, coach to various teams, and an arbitrator during Vis Moot events around the world.

LL.B. Shariah and Law (International Islamic University Islamabad)
Advocate District Courts

Ms. Iqra Tajammal is a dedicated associate at the Firm, where she plays a crucial role in conducting thorough legal research. She consistently significantly contributes to the firm’s work with her strong research skills.

Advocate High Courts of Pakistan

Mr. Raja Umair Mustafa has been practicing as an Advocate since February 2014 and is a life member of the District and High Court Bar Association of Islamabad. Mr Mustafa is an experienced litigator who appears regularly in civil, criminal, family, and rent matters and is engaged in several high-profile rental power cases (RPPs) under trial before the accountability courts.

LL.B. (Bahria University, Islamabad)
MPhil, Government & Public Policy (National Defence University, Islamabad)
Advocate High Courts of Pakistan

Muhammad Wahaj Sohail offers a diverse skill set in public and private international law, corporate law, trade and investment matters, and construction disputes. His role involves navigating complex international arbitration cases under ICSID, WTO, and UNCITRAL frameworks, managing high-stakes cross-border transactions, and resolving intricate construction disputes, demonstrating a strong command of regulatory and compliance issues. Mr. Wahaj’s background in finance and investment law further enriches his ability to provide strategic advice on corporate governance and financial transactions. His integrated approach ensures comprehensive legal solutions that address the multifaceted challenges faced by clients in a globalized environment.

PhD (Law) - UBFC, France
Legal Consultant

Dr. Ikram’s primary areas of practice are arbitration, tax, antitrust, project finance, and PPP projects. He has been involved in numerous high-value domestic and international arbitrations and complex transactions. He has published on arbitration and contract law with Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and Kluwer. His work has also appeared in esteemed journals including Arbitration International, Asia International Arbitration Journal, Contemporary Asia Arbitration Journal, International Arbitration Law Review, and World Mediation and Arbitration Review.

Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan
Partner

Mr. Sherazi’s practice areas include banking, corporate, constitutional, general civil litigation, ad hoc arbitration, pre-trial negotiations, conferences, settlements, and general consultancy in contentious matters. He also has extensive experience in contract negotiations, drafting, vetting, and rendering legal advice on commercial and construction contracts.

MA (Pol. Sc.), LL.B (Gold) Punjab University
LLM Tax, University of San Francisco, USA
Advocate High Court
Partner

Azm earned his LL.B degree by securing the first position and was awarded two gold medals by the University of Punjab and holds LLM in Tax from the University of San Francisco, USA.
Azm heads the firm’s transactional advisory department. He has worked on/led the following assignments/projects:
• Project counsel from 2014 to till date for 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project, Rawalpindi, Pakistan with total project cost of approx. US$ 1.53 billion; Project achieved financial closing in February 2017 and COD in June 2022;
• Intermittent advices to 1124 MW Kohala Hydropower Project (LOS stage) and 590 MW Mahl Hydropower Project (LOI stage) from 2015 to till date on various project related matters
• Intermittent advices to 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) from 2015 to till date on various project related matters.
• Transaction legal Counsel for the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in relation to the international competitive bidding for the development of three (3) separate Integrated Tourism Zones on PPP mode; preparation of RFP document (which includes the concession agreement and other project documents), award of the project leading to the financial close of the projects; assignment kicked off in January 2025
• Transaction advisory services to the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization’s (PEDO) Hydro Power Projects’ transition to captive power mode and supply of electricity to the industrial areas/economic zones from its hydropower projects under the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) program. The assignment kicked off in March 2024 and demand assessment concluded in December 2024.
• Legal counsel for strategic legal advisory and transactional support in the Economic Zones Solarization Projects for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC under the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) program; transaction kicked off in September 2024 and concluded in December 2024
• Lender’s transaction lead counsel for the Bank of Khyber in relation to the refinancing of approx. 1 billion financing facility for the Heavy Electrical Complex in connection its privatization; transaction achieved completion in January 2024
• 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; transaction concluded early 2024
• Project Counsel for the Government of Sindh in relation to the financial closing of a public private partnership 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 agreements and financing agreements, and achievement of financial close in December 2023
• Local counsel for two (2) separate transactions entailing transfer of shares of China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (CSAIL) in 2022 and 2023 respectively; advise on shareholding structure, amendments in the shareholders and other transactions agreements and compliance under the local laws and project agreements of the CSAIL’s projects in Pakistan
• Transaction counsel for a transferor in relation to the transfer of regulated tower assets with worth of around PKR 9 billion from one licensee to another; preparation of transaction documents; completion achieved in 2022
• Preparation of NEPRA (Microgrid) Regulations, 2022 (notified)
• 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 in July/August 2022
• 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 in July/August 2021
• 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 in August/September 2021
• Preparation of AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2021 (notified)
• 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; financial closing achieved by the projects February 2021
• Preparation of RFP documents for the reverse auction (first of its kind in Pakistan) for wind and solar projects in Pakistan with industry consultations in 2020/2021
• Transaction counsel for 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; financial closing achieved by the projects in November 2019
• Assisting AEDB in preparation and finalization of the Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019 (notified)
• 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 in 2019/2020
• 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 in 2018/2019
• Preparation of AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2018 (notified)
• 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
• Transaction counsel 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
• Project counsel for two small hydro power projects (6 MW and 11 MW) in Pakistan
• 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 in 2015
• Preparation of green paper on wheeling of electricity in Pakistan for the Punjab Power Development Board in 2014/2015

SJD, George Washington University
Advocate High Courts
Solicitor Advocate, England & Wales
Partner

As head of the ADR department of the Firm, Dr. Piracha has extensive experience in International Commercial Arbitration and International Construction & Investment Disputes. She has worked as counsel in ADR and arbitration before ICC, ICSID, SCC, DFIC-LCIA, and Adhoc Tribunals. She is also serving as a member of a committee constituted by the prime minister to consider Pakistan’s investment legal framework and international law.
Her qualifications in three international jurisdictions (Pakistan, the US, and the UK) and over seventeen years of experience in ADR, mediation, negotiation, arbitrations, and affiliations with the world’s most prestigious organizations provide her with a vast network of expertise and experiences to draw on.
She believes there’s immense potential for social and political change in Pakistan through legal reforms and that lawyers can play a vital role in developing any country. Her dedication to this purpose is evident in her continual hard work at SQA.

Barrister at Law
BA (Hons) Kingston University
LL.M (Cantab)
Senior Partner

Hamid L. Sharif is experienced in cross-border project finance transactions across different infrastructure sectors in developing Asia. He led the Asian Development Bank (ADB) work on legal and judicial reform in the Asia Pacific region. Apart from project finance, he has advised on constitutional and corporate matters. He strongly advocates alternate dispute resolution.
He is a member of the Expert Committee of the China International Commercial Court, which functions under the Supreme People’s Court of China.
Hamid L. Sharif has over 30 years of experience in international development. He has served in senior positions at the ADB and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). He was the inaugural Managing Director for oversight functions at the AIIB and was Country Director for ADB in China, managing a portfolio of over $10 billion.
As Head of Procurement for ADB, Mr. Sharif oversaw procurement of over $8 billion per year across infrastructure sectors in developing countries, including China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan. As a lawyer and Assistant General Counsel at ADB, he has experience in both sovereign and non-sovereign international financial transactions and the law of international organizations.
As the Representative for The Asia Foundation, he strongly advocated the rule of law. He conducted a dialogue on civil-military relations with major political parties, academics, and retired military officers. He conceived of and implemented the creation of the Free and Fair Elections Network.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Shahid Jamil Khan (Retired) is widely recognized for his outstanding contributions to Pakistan’s legal and judicial landscape. Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Lahore High Court on March 21, 2014, he served with distinction for nearly a decade until his resignation, during which he adjudicated an impressive 27,401 cases and delivered 128 reported judgments. His jurisprudence spans Tax Law, Corporate Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Family Law, and Arbitration, shaping legal principles and offering authoritative interpretations across these domains.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Justice Khan developed a formidable reputation in Tax and Corporate Law. Prior to his elevation to the bench, he practiced extensively before the Superior Courts and served as Legal Advisor to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Islamabad, for approximately seven years. His expertise in tax matters earned him recognition as an authority in the field, and his contributions to legal interpretation were instrumental in clarifying and advancing Pakistan’s tax jurisprudence.
His leadership within the legal fraternity is marked by active participation in Bar governance. He held several key positions, including Finance Secretary of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (1999), Member Executive (Punjab Seat) of the Supreme Court Bar Association (2007), and Member Executive of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (2000). He also served as Vice Chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee (2003–2004) and was appointed as a Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, where he further cemented his expertise in tax adjudication.
In parallel with his legal practice, Mr. Justice Khan was deeply committed to legal education and capacity-building. He served as Visiting Professor at Quaid-e-Azam Law College, Lahore, from 1995 to 2007, and delivered expert lectures at the Directorate General of Training and Research (Inland Revenue) and the Punjab Judicial Academy up to 2014. His dedication to training future legal professionals underscored his broader commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s legal system.
Internationally, he represented Pakistan at several prestigious forums, including an official study tour of the United Kingdom (2017), the Asia Pacific Conference on Gender-Responsive Judicial Systems (2022), the Second China-SCO Regional Court Justice Forum (2022), and the Lahore International Dispute Resolution Weekend (2023).

Barrister at Law
Founding & Managing Partner

Mr. Qureshi has been involved in international arbitrations before the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris (ICC), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”), Washington, the Arbitration Institute of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and Ad Hoc Tribunals.
He specializes in construction/engineering and public-private partnership contracts, project finance, securitization, corporate, constitutional, arbitration, human resource policies, public-private partnerships, and advisory work.
Besides leading one of the premier ADR practices in Pakistan for 35 years, he has acted as counsel to the Government of Pakistan, multinational organizations, banks, diplomatic missions, and others.