Banking & Finance

Saiduddin & Co. provides comprehensive legal support to banks, non-banking financial institutions, FinTech companies, and corporate borrowers across a broad range of financing and regulatory matters. We have advised on syndicated loans, secured and unsecured lending, project finance, Islamic finance structures, and debt restructuring. Our team routinely drafts and negotiates complex financial and security documents while ensuring regulatory compliance and commercial clarity.

We are actively engaged in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving FinTech ecosystem, advising startups and established players on licensing, digital payments, peer-to-peer lending, e-wallets, crowdfunding platforms, and embedded finance models. Our lawyers work closely with clients to navigate regulatory frameworks under the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and SECP. We assist FinTech clients with product structuring, compliance, consumer protection laws, and partnerships with traditional financial institutions.

As financial innovation reshapes the landscape, we remain committed to providing forward-looking legal advice that bridges traditional finance with emerging technologies. Whether representing a bank entering a digital transformation or a startup seeking regulatory approval, we deliver legal solutions that are agile, compliant, and strategically aligned with our clients’ goals.

International Business & Trade

We assist foreign investors and local companies engaged in cross-border trade and investment with navigating Pakistan’s regulatory landscape. Our services include advising on foreign direct investment (FDI), structuring international joint ventures, repatriation of profits, and compliance with foreign exchange laws. We also counsel clients on market entry strategies and incorporation of foreign entities under the applicable laws.

Saiduddin & Co. is deeply familiar with international trade laws, including WTO regulations, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and Pakistan’s free trade arrangements. We assist exporters and importers in understanding tariff classifications, customs duties, import licensing, and trade remedies. Our team also advises on export processing zones and special economic zones, offering tax and regulatory guidance.

Whether representing multinational corporations, foreign governments, start-ups or Pakistani companies with outbound investments, we combine legal precision with commercial awareness to ensure successful international operations. Our ability to advise on both international trade and corporate structures under a single roof is a distinctive strength.

Real Estate & Construction

We advise developers, investors, and contractors on all aspects of real estate and construction law. Our services include conducting title due diligence, advising on land acquisition, lease structuring, and registration of property transactions. We also help clients obtain regulatory approvals, manage zoning issues, and resolve land-related disputes.

Our construction law team supports clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, including standard forms such as FIDIC. We assist with risk allocation, project financing, and contractor-subcontractor arrangements. In case of disputes, we represent clients in litigation, arbitration, and claims resolution involving project delays, defects, and cost overruns.

Given the regulatory complexities and investment scale of real estate projects in Pakistan, our firm offers end-to-end legal support—from project conception to completion. We help clients navigate legal hurdles and ensure their interests are protected at every stage of development.

Corporate Law

Corporate law is at the core of our practice. We advise clients throughout the corporate lifecycle—from company formation and governance to restructuring, M&A, and dissolution. Our lawyers regularly handle incorporations, capital restructuring, shareholder arrangements, and directors’ responsibilities, ensuring compliance with the Companies Act, 2017 and relevant sectoral laws.

We have a strong track record in complex corporate transactions, including cross-border mergers, private equity deals, and corporate reorganizations. Our team is skilled in drafting and negotiating shareholder agreements, share purchase agreements, joint venture arrangements, and other key corporate documentation. We also provide board advisory services and help companies strengthen internal controls and governance mechanisms.

What sets us apart is our integrated advisory model. Our clients benefit from our ability to assess corporate transactions through the lens of taxation, regulatory compliance, and dispute avoidance. This comprehensive perspective helps our clients anticipate legal risks and operate with confidence in Pakistan’s evolving corporate landscape.

Intellectual Property

Saiduddin & Co. helps clients protect and commercialize their intellectual assets across various sectors. Our IP team advises on the registration, maintenance, enforcement, and transfer of trademarks, copyrights, patents, and industrial designs. We also assist with licensing, franchising, and IP due diligence in corporate transactions.

We represent clients before the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan, as well as in IP disputes before civil courts and tribunals. Our lawyers act swiftly to enforce rights through cease-and-desist actions, injunctions, and infringement litigation. We also assist with customs recordation and border enforcement mechanisms to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the market.

From tech startups to global brands, our clients trust us to provide practical and proactive IP strategies tailored to their growth. With the rise of innovation and digital commerce, our IP practice continues to evolve, offering legal protection in a rapidly changing business environment.

Labour

Our labour and employment law practice offers end-to-end advisory and dispute resolution services to local and multinational employers. We assist in drafting employment contracts, developing workplace policies, handling employee terminations, and managing workforce restructuring. We also advise on compliance with Pakistan’s labour laws.

We represent clients in employment disputes before labour courts, tribunals, and regulatory authorities. From wrongful dismissal claims to trade union negotiations, we provide strategic, business-conscious counsel to mitigate risks and preserve workplace harmony. Our lawyers are skilled in both contentious and non-contentious aspects of employment law.

In a dynamic regulatory environment, our team ensures clients remain compliant while safeguarding their operational flexibility. Whether navigating routine HR matters or large-scale restructuring, we help clients align their human resource strategy with legal best practices and industry norms.

Litigation

Saiduddin & Co. has a long-standing reputation for excellence in litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Our litigation team represents clients in complex commercial, civil, and regulatory disputes before courts and tribunals across Pakistan. With experience spanning over six decades, we handle matters at every judicial level—from trial courts to the Supreme Court—ensuring rigorous advocacy and strategic representation.

In addition to traditional litigation, we offer clients alternative pathways to resolve disputes through arbitration, mediation, and negotiated settlements. Whether acting as counsel or arbitrators, we aim to achieve efficient, business-oriented outcomes that preserve relationships and minimize reputational risks.

Our approach is proactive and pragmatic, focusing on early risk identification and resolution strategies that align with our clients’ commercial goals. We take pride in building long-term relationships with clients based on trust, clarity, and unwavering commitment to protecting their interests in and out of court.

Taxation

Our tax practice is one of the most respected in Pakistan, known for its blend of technical accuracy and commercial insight. We advise clients on a wide spectrum of tax matters, including income tax, sales tax, customs duties, federal excise, and withholding tax. Our clients range from multinationals and local conglomerates to individual high-net-worth clients, each benefiting from our tailored, strategic advice.

What sets us apart is our dual strength in both advisory and contentious tax matters. We assist clients in structuring transactions and operations in a tax-efficient manner, while also representing them before tax authorities, appellate tribunals, and superior courts in disputes and audits. Our deep understanding of Pakistan’s tax framework, including interaction with international tax treaties, makes us a trusted advisor for cross-border matters.

Saiduddin & Co. is uniquely positioned as one of the few firms in the country offering both corporate and tax law services at a high level of sophistication. This integrated approach enables us to anticipate the tax implications of corporate transactions and vice versa—ensuring holistic legal support that few firms can match.

Wasif Iqbal

Senior Manager Taxation

Mr. Wasif Iqbal has been an integral part of the firm since joining in 2004. He currently heads the Sales Tax division and is recognized as the go-to expert for updates, amendments, and opinions in the taxation industry, particularly in sales tax, due to his deep understanding of taxation laws and government directives.

He represents clients before the Federal Board of Revenue and the Sindh Revenue Board, earning a reputation for his tax acumen, logical reasoning, and effective advocacy for clients' rights. Mr. Wasif has successfully resolved numerous contentious tax matters at the tribunal stage.

Beyond his professional endeavors, he is actively involved in community service as a member of Junior Chamber International (JCI). He served as the President of JCI Paragon in 2004 and JCI Pakistan in 2009. Mr. Iqbal is a graduate of the 21st JCI Academy in Tachikawa, Japan, and has represented Pakistan at various international conferences, including the Leadership Summit in Tokyo (2007), JCI World Congress in New Delhi (2008), and Asia Pacific Conference in Nagano (2009).

Education:

J.D., 1991 – 1994, William Mitchell College of Law (Status : Excellent – Top 5 of School) –

B.S., 1995 – 2000, University of Wisconsin, Platteville (Status : Excellent)

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate (Status : Excellent) - Business and Commercial Law Certificate (Status : Great)

Mohammed Usman Alam

Senior Legal Counsel

Advocate High Court

Mr. Muhammad Usman Alam has been a key member of the firm’s litigation department since joining in September 2004. He regularly appears before the High Courts, particularly the Honorable High Court of Sindh.

Renowned for his expertise in procedural matters, compliance, and case drafting, Mr. Usman possesses a deep understanding of the Superior Courts' operations and exceptional networking skills. He co-leads the firm's practice in subordinate courts and manages matters before the Registrar of the High Court, along with administrative issues related to litigation at both the High Court and District Court levels.

Additionally, Mr. Usman oversees the monitoring and reporting of litigation progress and serves as the firm’s designated client contact coordinator for litigation-related matters.

Education:

J.D., 1991 – 1994, William Mitchell College of Law (Status : Excellent – Top 5 of School) –

B.S., 1995 – 2000, University of Wisconsin, Platteville (Status : Excellent)

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate (Status : Excellent) – Business and Commercial Law Certificate (Status : Great)

Syed Sheheryar Raza Zaidi

Managing Associate

Advocate High Court

Syed Sheheryar Raza Zaidi focuses on both contentious and non-contentious matters, with a strong emphasis on litigation and dispute resolution. He assists the Partners in litigation and corporate advisory roles across various sectors, including information technology, media, aviation, automobile, oil and gas, human resource development, foreign exchange, and insurance.

With a background in constitutional, terror financing, and civil law matters, Mr. Sheheryar has gained valuable insights under the mentorship of Mr. Justice (Retd.) Muhammad Ather Saeed, a former Supreme Court judge. Currently an Advocate of the Subordinate Courts in Pakistan, he represents clients primarily in Karachi and has participated in numerous arbitration cases nationwide.

Starting his legal practice in 2017 after earning an LLB (Hons) from the University of London, he has engaged in a wide range of legal and regulatory affairs, including reviews of State Bank of Pakistan regulations and FATF compliance for foreign exchange companies.

Mr. Sheheryar has assisted in various transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, tax matters, and commercial arbitration. He is frequently sought for regulatory compliance, employment-related advice, and the drafting and vetting of agreements and legal notices for national and international clients.

Education:

Bachelor of Law (L.L.B. Honors), University of London, 2017

Certificate:

Certified and Accredited Mediator, Institute for Strategic Conflict Resolution & Development (ISCRD)

Hamna Faruqui

Managing Associate

Advocate High Court

Hamna Faruqui’s work primarily focuses predominantly on contentious and non-contentious corporate and commercial matters. She has experience advising on legal and regulatory matters and also advises in corporate and commercial matters in the finance, energy, construction, information technology, succession, real estate, aviation and labour sectors. She also works with partners on advisory matters as well as corporate structuring and restructuring as well as corporate transactions including drafting opinions and agreements.

Additionally, Hamna also works with the partners on a range of litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters. She has a particular focus on legal research and drafting and assists the litigation team with constitutional, commercial, company and civil cases.

Education:

Bachelor of Law (L.L.B. Hons.), University of London, 2018

Hashim Lodhi

Manager Regulatory Affairs

Advocate

Mr. Muhammad Hashim Lodhi is an enrolled advocate of the Subordinate Courts of Pakistan and heads the Regulatory Compliance division of the firm. With two decades of experience, he has developed strong relationships within relevant government departments, enhancing his ability to assist clients effectively.

He provides comprehensive solutions for company incorporation, partnership registration, and regulatory compliance, representing clients before various regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Board of Investment, Employees’ Social Security Institutions, State Bank of Pakistan, and Employees Old Age Benefits Institution.

In addition to his regulatory role, Mr. Hashim oversees the Intellectual Property division, where he offers services such as IP searches, compliance, registration of trademarks, patents, designs, and copyrights, as well as enforcement actions in court.

He also represents clients before the Sindh Revenue Board and the Federal Board of Revenue, demonstrating his proficiency as a taxation expert knowledgeable in industry laws.

Education:

J.D., 1991 – 1994, William Mitchell College of Law (Status : Excellent – Top 5 of School)

– B.S., 1995 – 2000, University of Wisconsin, Platteville (Status : Excellent)

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate (Status : Excellent) – Business and Commercial Law Certificate (Status : Great)

Ajmal Kamal

Deputy Manager Taxation

Mr. Syed Ajmal Kamal joined the firm in 2016 as part of the firm’s accounts team where he was responsible for various accounting tasks such as preparing of invoices, vouchers, receipts and statements of accounts. Despite the relative short term of employment, he has excelled in any and all tasks assigned to him and has gradually grown into an able and competent tax associate of the firm who reports directly to the Partners of the Firm and works closely with the Tax Associates of the firm.

Mr. Ajmal in addition to his work with the accounts division, is responsible for the interacting with clients, obtaining and reviewing tax information, projects preparation and review of tax returns for a number of corporate and high end individual clients, including ensuring all income tax returns and withholding statements are prepared timely and accurately and in compliance with applicable laws. Mr. Ajmal also undertakes various tax researches and provides tax opinions to clients on various matters.

Education:

Bachelor of Commerce, Government College of Commerce and Economics, 2014

Master of Business Administration, Iqra University, 2019

Certificate:

Assessment of Fundamental Competencies (AFC), The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, November 2014