Our Experts

Justice (R) Mohammad Ather Saeed

Senior Partner

Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

Justice (R) Mohammad Ather Saeed brings a legacy of over five decades in the legal profession, combining an illustrious judicial career with deep-rooted expertise in tax, corporate, and constitutional law. He began his legal practice in 1973 as a tax associate alongside his father, the late Syed Saiduddin, the founding partner of Saiduddin & Co. After becoming an advocate in 1975 and being admitted to the High Court in 1981, he took over the firm, rapidly establishing himself as one of the country’s leading legal minds in taxation law. His advocacy led to numerous landmark decisions, many of which are reported in leading law and tax journals.

In 2005, Mr. Ather Saeed was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Sindh, where he led the Tax Bench and authored groundbreaking judgments on a wide array of legal subjects including taxation, constitutional law, corporate and commercial disputes, intellectual property, land matters, and civil law. In recognition of his judicial acumen, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2011. During his tenure on the apex court, he served on several important benches and authored a number of precedent-setting decisions across legal disciplines. He retired with distinction in 2014.

Since his retirement, Justice (R) Ather Saeed has rejoined Saiduddin & Co. as a Senior Partner. He is actively engaged in high-value domestic and international arbitrations and regularly advises on complex legal issues. He has acted as arbitrator in high-profile disputes including matters relating to the Islamabad International Airport, Turkish Airlines and its Pakistani GSA, Pakistan Steel Mills, Coniston, and Habib University. His awards in many of these matters have been made rules of the court, testifying to the trust placed in his judgment.

Beyond his practice, Justice (R) Ather Saeed has contributed significantly to the legal and civic community. He served three terms as President of the Income Tax Bar Association, and two terms as President of Karachi Gymkhana. He was also a professor of law at S.M. Law College and a sought-after speaker on tax and legal reform at national forums and television broadcasts. His engagement with legal and academic institutions is extensive—serving on boards and syndicates of universities such as Karachi University, NED University, and FAST-NUCES, as well as with Transparency International Pakistan, Legal Aid Society, and MICADR.

Justice (R) Ather Saeed continues to be a pillar of legal thought leadership in Pakistan, embodying the principles of integrity, excellence, and public service that define Saiduddin & Co.

Syed Anwar Kashif Mumtaz

Senior Partner

Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan

Syed Anwar Kashif Mumtaz is a senior partner at Saiduddin & Co. and currently heads the firm’s Tax Division, bringing over 35 years of expertise in tax advisory, litigation, and corporate legal services. As an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, he has led high-stakes tax and commercial cases before tax authorities, tribunals, high courts, and the apex court, with numerous landmark judgments reported in leading law journals. His deep insight into tax structuring and corporate frameworks has positioned him as one of Pakistan’s foremost legal minds in these areas.

At the helm of the firm’s tax practice, Mr. Mumtaz leads a team that delivers sophisticated, business-oriented tax solutions across sectors. He has advised a wide array of clients, including multinational corporations, public sector institutions, and individual taxpayers, on matters ranging from direct and indirect taxation to international tax and treaty law. His integrated approach—leveraging both tax and corporate law expertise—enables clients to minimize risk while maximizing operational and fiscal efficiency.

Mr. Mumtaz is also a Certified International Trainer in Leadership and Personal Development and a CEDR (UK) Accredited Mediator. As a founding member of the Pakistan Mediators Association (PMA), he has played a pivotal role in promoting alternative dispute resolution in Pakistan. He has trained judges, lawyers, and mediators across Sindh and Punjab, supporting judicial reforms aimed at enhancing dispute resolution mechanisms.

His leadership extends beyond legal practice. Mr. Mumtaz has served as President of the Karachi Tax Bar Association and currently, President of the Pakistan Tax Bar Association. He has chaired the Direct Taxes Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and served as a legal consultant to the World Bank on Pakistan’s Ease of Doing Business Index. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan (PILAP).

A respected authority in the legal community, he is a frequent guest on national media as a tax law expert and is actively involved in public policy discourse, legal reform initiatives, and professional development forums. His leadership of Saiduddin & Co.'s tax division ensures that clients receive world-class legal counsel built on integrity, innovation, and over two decades of excellence.

Ammar Ather Saeed

Senior Partner

Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan

Ammar Ather Saeed is a Partner at Saiduddin & Co. and currently leads the firm’s Corporate Practice, bringing over 16 years of experience in corporate law, commercial advisory, and high-value transactional work. A graduate of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LLB, 2009) and Cornell University (LL.M., 2011), Ammar blends international legal training with deep, hands-on experience advising multinational and domestic clients across sectors. He is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and has cultivated a reputation for delivering sophisticated, commercially grounded legal counsel.

Ammar’s practice is deeply rooted in corporate and commercial law, where he routinely advises on entity formation, shareholder arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, regulatory compliance, and cross-border structuring. He has played a lead role in advising startups, tech companies, software development firms, and foreign investors entering Pakistan, often drafting and negotiating key agreements such as shareholder agreements, term sheets, investment contracts, and international service agreements. His clients span the U.S., U.K., EU, UAE, Canada, and Asia.

What sets Ammar apart is his ability to offer one-window legal advice, combining robust corporate structuring with expert tax insight. With a solid foundation in Pakistan’s income and sales tax regimes, and working knowledge of international frameworks like FATCA, AEOI, and the OECD CRS, he regularly advises clients on how to structure their operations in a tax-efficient, compliant manner. This rare integration of corporate and tax advisory enables clients to manage legal and fiscal risk holistically, with the convenience of coordinated counsel.

In addition to his transactional work, Ammar has appeared before the High Courts and Supreme Court in matters relating to income tax, customs, sales tax, banking, insurance, and regulatory law. He has advised financial institutions on conventional and Islamic financing transactions and assisted global energy, construction, and development firms with contractual and compliance matters in Pakistan and abroad.

Beyond his client work, Ammar actively contributes to legal education, policy reform, and professional development. He has trained officials at the Sindh Revenue Board and Sindh Judicial Academy, taught law at SZABIST, and delivered sessions on corporate and fiscal law for lawyers, judges, and government officers. He has served as Joint Secretary of the Karachi Tax Bar Association and is an active member of the Pakistan Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, and American Bar Association.

He also lends his expertise to the non-profit sector, serving on the Board of Directors of the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP), and contributes to policy dialogue through organizations like the Legal Aid Society. Ammar's leadership at the firm reflects a modern, multi-disciplinary approach to law—bridging corporate acumen with regulatory insight in a way that meets the evolving needs of a global client base.

Wasif Iqbal

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).

Certificate:

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

Mr. Saleem Qureshi

Manager Taxation

Mr. Saleem Javed Qureshi is a Senior Tax Associate who joined the firm in January 2000. With two decades of experience, he is a leading figure in the Income Compliance division. Known for his expertise in income tax law, Mr. Saleem has built strong relationships with both clients and tax authorities, enhancing his ability to assist and educate clients on tax matters. He is responsible for preparing and filing income tax returns and wealth statements for major business and corporate clients, as well as advising on tax-related queries and representing clients before the Federal Board of Revenue.

Education:

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law (1991–1994) - Top 5 in class

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

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate - Excellent

Business and Commercial Law Certificate - Great

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)

Mr. Mohammad Arif

Deputy Manager Taxation

Mr. Muhammad Arif is a Senior Tax Associate at the firm, known for his hard work and dedication. He has been with the firm since 1997, demonstrating loyalty and commitment. He specializes in income compliance and taxation, providing advice and consultations to clients, and represents them before the Federal Board of Revenue.

Education:

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law (1991–1994) - Top 5 in class

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

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate - Excellent

Business and Commercial Law Certificate - 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

Mr. Muhammad Riyaz Butt

Assistant Manager Taxation

Mr. Riyaz Butt is an experienced tax associate at the firm, specializing in a range of taxation tasks. He assists partners and clients with the preparation of corporate, partnership, and individual tax returns, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Before joining the firm, Mr. Riyaz worked as an accounts executive at a leading oil and petroleum company in Pakistan.

Known for his dedication and productivity, Mr. Riyaz collaborates closely with partners and senior taxation associates to prepare tax opinions and advice. His primary responsibilities include the preparation of income tax returns, sales tax returns, and regular compliance tasks, such as reviewing and preparing monthly withholding statements.

Education:

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law (1991–1994) - Top 5 in class

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

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate - Excellent

Business and Commercial Law Certificate - Great

Mr. Raza Tajjamul

Tax Associate

Mr. Riyaz Butt is an experienced tax associate at the firm, specializing in a range of taxation tasks. He assists partners and clients with the preparation of corporate, partnership, and individual tax returns, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Before joining the firm, Mr. Riyaz worked as an accounts executive at a leading oil and petroleum company in Pakistan.

Known for his dedication and productivity, Mr. Riyaz collaborates closely with partners and senior taxation associates to prepare tax opinions and advice. His primary responsibilities include the preparation of income tax returns, sales tax returns, and regular compliance tasks, such as reviewing and preparing monthly withholding statements.

Education:

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law (1991–1994) - Top 5 in class

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

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate - Excellent

Business and Commercial Law Certificate - Great

Mr. Raza Tajjamul

Tax Associate

Mr. Riyaz Butt is an experienced tax associate at the firm, specializing in a range of taxation tasks. He assists partners and clients with the preparation of corporate, partnership, and individual tax returns, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Before joining the firm, Mr. Riyaz worked as an accounts executive at a leading oil and petroleum company in Pakistan.

Known for his dedication and productivity, Mr. Riyaz collaborates closely with partners and senior taxation associates to prepare tax opinions and advice. His primary responsibilities include the preparation of income tax returns, sales tax returns, and regular compliance tasks, such as reviewing and preparing monthly withholding statements.

Education:

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law (1991–1994) - Top 5 in class

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

Certificate:

Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate - Excellent

Business and Commercial Law Certificate - 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)

Sheheryar Zaidi

Managing Associate

Advocate, High Courts of Pakistan

Sheheryar Zaidi is a Managing Associate at Saiduddin & Co., where he leads on matters involving litigation, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. A graduate of the University of London (LL.B. Hons, 2017), he has built a robust practice advising clients across diverse sectors, including financial services, aviation, oil and gas, insurance, technology, and media.

Sheheryar regularly appears before the High Courts of Pakistan and in domestic arbitration proceedings, handling a wide range of contentious matters—from constitutional and civil disputes to terror financing and regulatory enforcement actions. He has significant experience working within the frameworks of the State Bank of Pakistan, FATF compliance standards, and foreign exchange regulations, which he leverages to deliver strategic and policy-aligned legal solutions.

In addition to his litigation work, Sheheryar is actively engaged in corporate and transactional matters, including mergers, acquisitions, demergers, and international joint ventures. He advises clients on tax structuring, cross-border agreements, and regulatory compliance, and has drafted a broad range of legal documents including shareholders’ agreements, employment contracts, and operational policies. As a certified mediator accredited by the Institute for Strategic Conflict Resolution & Development (ISCRD), he brings a collaborative mindset to conflict resolution.

Sheheryar is also a published author in DAWN, writing on constitutional, political, and socio-legal issues. His writing reflects a commitment to public discourse and a deep understanding of the legal and societal challenges facing Pakistan. Known for his clarity, dedication, and strategic insight, Sheheryar Zaidi is a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex legal environments.

Hamna Faruqui

Senior Associate

Advocate, High Courts of Pakistan

Hamna Faruqui is a Senior Associate at Saiduddin & Co., with a strong focus on transactional law, investment advisory, and corporate regulatory compliance. She holds an LL.B. from the University of London and completed advanced training in U.S. corporate law and governance at Columbia University’s Business Law Academy in New York. Her practice spans a wide array of commercial sectors, with an emphasis on financial services, investment funds, and corporate transactions.

Hamna advises on the structuring and regulatory compliance of Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and private equity and venture capital funds. She has substantial experience drafting and reviewing complex investment and fund-related documentation, including trust deeds, private placement memorandums, shareholder agreements, and instruments for convertible equity. Her work often involves coordinating with regulators and stakeholders to ensure legal alignment across all phases of fund and entity formation.

In the mergers and acquisitions space, Hamna has advised both domestic and international clients on transaction structuring, legal due diligence, anti-trust compliance, and preparation of schemes of arrangement. She played a lead role in Pakistan’s first reverse merger transaction, and regularly advises clients on corporate reorganizations, acquisitions of strategic assets, and shareholder exits.

She also provides ongoing legal support to public listed companies and high-growth startups, advising on corporate governance, HR compliance, commercial contracting, and internal policy development. Her cross-border experience includes advising clients from the U.S., U.K., Middle East, and Southeast Asia on market entry and investment strategies in Pakistan.

In addition to her transactional work, Hamna is involved in legal and regulatory reform efforts, including contributing to frameworks for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) and startup-centric legislation. Known for her meticulous drafting, commercial insight, and proactive approach, Hamna Faruqui continues to be a key asset in the firm’s corporate and regulatory advisory team.

Marvi Palijo

Legal Associate

Advocate

Marvi is an associate at Saiduddin & Co., where she is actively engaged in the firm’s general corporate and commercial advisory practice. A graduate of the University of London (LL.B.), she assists clients across a range of transactional matters, including corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and contract drafting. Marvi supports the senior team on matters involving corporate governance, shareholder arrangements, and financing documentation.

Her work also includes legal research on issues spanning mergers and acquisitions, commercial law, and foreign investment regulations. Marvi’s strong analytical skills and attention to detail allow her to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s high-standard transactional work.

Hiba Faisal

Legal Associate

Hiba is an associate at Saiduddin & Co. and holds an LL.B. from the University of London. She supports the firm’s corporate and commercial practice, primarily assisting with the preparation and review of routine legal documents, including basic contracts and internal compliance materials.

She regularly conducts legal research and supports senior lawyers in handling day-to-day client queries. Hiba also helps with documentation related to company registrations, regulatory filings, and general correspondence with corporate and government entities. Her dedication to learning and accuracy is reflected in the consistency of her work.

Nooriya Mustafa

Legal Associate

Nooriya is an associate at Saiduddin & Co. and a graduate of the University of London (LL.B.). She contributes to the firm’s corporate transactions, compliance matters, and commercial advisory services. She works closely with the partners and senior team on a range of matters, including financing transactions, company law compliance, and contract review.

She is actively involved in supporting client engagements involving restructuring, regulatory approvals, and business formation. Nooriya also undertakes legal research on a variety of issues, including cross-border investment regulations and financial services compliance. Her ability to synthesize complex legal issues into clear advice supports the firm’s client-focused approach.

Adeel Ali

Legal Associate

Advocate

Adeel is an associate at Saiduddin & Co., where he focuses on litigation and dispute resolution. He assists the partners on a wide range of litigation matters, including taxation, constitutional law, civil and commercial disputes, and regulatory compliance.

Adeel regularly appears before District Courts, Labour Courts, and administrative tribunals, and contributes to the preparation of pleadings, legal research, and case strategy. His growing litigation experience and commitment to advocacy make him a valuable member of the firm’s dispute resolution team.