Overview
Our work frequently intersects with intellectual property protection, technology law and regulatory compliance, enabling us to provide integrated legal support to businesses operating in both traditional and technology-driven sectors.
One-stop business support
For new and growing businesses, we act as a single point of contact for the legal steps of starting and running a business in Pakistan, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, private or single-member company, or public company:
- formation and registration with SECP or the Registrar of Firms
- trademark clearance and registration of your brand
- shareholder, partnership, supply, distribution and service contracts
- tax registration, filing and compliance with FBR, with associated tax advisers
- regulatory product registrations, such as DRAP
- ongoing corporate and compliance support
Corporate & Commercial Law
Our corporate practice assists businesses in structuring legally sound operational frameworks and managing corporate governance responsibilities.
Services may include:
- company incorporation and corporate structuring
- establishment of subsidiaries, branch offices and representative offices of foreign companies
- drafting memorandum and articles of association
- shareholder agreements and corporate governance advisory
- joint venture and strategic partnership arrangements
- mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructuring
- business transfers and investment transactions
- corporate secretarial and compliance advisory
Corporate formation and governance in Pakistan are primarily regulated by the Companies Act 2017 and administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Foreign investment matters may also involve regulatory considerations under the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act 1976 and policies issued by the Board of Investment Pakistan.
Commercial Transactions & Contracts
Commercial relationships rely on well-structured contractual arrangements that define rights, responsibilities and risk allocation between business partners.
Our firm assists clients in drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements including:
- distribution and supply agreements
- manufacturing and production agreements
- agency and franchise agreements
- consultancy and service agreements
- licensing and technology-related commercial contracts
- confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
- joint venture and investment agreements
Commercial agreements in Pakistan are primarily governed by the Contract Act 1872 and related commercial laws.
Regulatory, Competition & Compliance Advisory
Businesses frequently operate within complex regulatory environments. Our firm assists clients in understanding and complying with regulatory obligations affecting commercial activities.
Services may include:
- regulatory compliance assessments for business operations
- advisory on corporate governance obligations
- competition and anti-trust law compliance
- review of commercial arrangements for regulatory compliance
- regulatory approvals and filings before relevant authorities
- compliance frameworks for regulated business sectors
Competition law matters in Pakistan are governed by the Competition Act 2010 administered by the Competition Commission of Pakistan.
Corporate regulatory oversight is primarily exercised by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Tax & Corporate Regulatory Frameworks
Commercial transactions and business structures often require consideration of applicable taxation and fiscal regulations.
Our firm assists clients in identifying legal issues relating to corporate taxation and regulatory compliance, including:
- advisory on taxation implications of commercial transactions
- regulatory approvals affecting corporate operations
- structuring of commercial arrangements in accordance with applicable tax frameworks
Tax administration in Pakistan is overseen by the Federal Board of Revenue under various fiscal statutes including the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and the Sales Tax Act 1990.
Legal Opinions & Market Entry Advisory
Our firm provides legal opinions and regulatory advisory services for businesses seeking to launch products, marketing campaigns or commercial operations in Pakistan and other jurisdictions.
We regularly advise clients on matters relating to market entry requirements, marketing and advertising regulations, brand strategy compliance and pre-launch legal due diligence. Our work frequently involves reviewing promotional campaigns, commercial offerings and product strategies to ensure compliance with applicable legal frameworks prior to public launch.
Typical matters on which legal opinions may be provided include:
- regulatory requirements for market entry and product launches
- pre-launch legal due diligence for marketing campaigns and commercial promotions
- compliance review of advertising and promotional activities
- legal assessment of brand strategies and distribution structures
- competition and anti-trust law assessments affecting commercial arrangements
- regulatory restrictions relating to alcohol products and other regulated goods
- advisory relating to promotional campaigns, prize competitions and lottery-type mechanisms within applicable legal frameworks
- broader regulatory compliance assessments affecting business operations
Through collaboration with trusted associate firms and international partner firms, we are able to coordinate cross-border legal opinions and regulatory assessments, enabling clients to implement marketing strategies and commercial initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.
International Frameworks
Cross-border commercial transactions may also involve international legal frameworks and treaty obligations including:
- World Trade Organization trade and investment frameworks
- bilateral and multilateral investment protection treaties
- international commercial dispute resolution frameworks including the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
Advertising and competition law
The Competition Commission of Pakistan enforces the Competition Act, 2010. Section 10 prohibits deceptive marketing practices, including false or misleading information to consumers and false or misleading comparisons in advertising. In 2021 the Commission fined Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Rs. 150 million over Strepsils advertising. The Trade Marks Ordinance also addresses misleading and comparative advertisement (section 68). We review campaigns, packaging and comparative advertising before launch and act for complainants and respondents.
Regulatory registrations
We assist pharmaceutical, medical device and health product companies with registrations and approvals before the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), together with trademark clearance of product names, so that regulatory and IP filings stay aligned.
Legal opinions
We provide written legal opinions on intellectual property, advertising and competition law, and business and commercial matters, for clients, investors and foreign counsel.
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