Partner and Head of Trade Law in Pakistan and Partner in Charge of Afghanistan Law
Mazhar Bangash heads Pakistan’s Trade Law Department from our Islamabad office and services international clients operating in Afghanistan.
Mazhar’s expertise in international trade law has been recognised in Pakistan and internationally; he was recently appointed as a panellist at the WTO for trade disputes.
His international trade expertise includes WTO trade remedy instruments (anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures); tariff-related matters (tariff and non-tariff assistance/protection to the domestic industries); customs; trade policy incentives; WTO dispute settlement; and free and preferential trade agreements.
Mazhar previously worked at the National Tariff Commission and the Trade Remedy Investigating Authority of Pakistan, where he was their Chief Legal Officer. He was involved in drafting and implementing anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguards Pakistan’s laws. Mazhar successfully defends exporters facing anti-dumping investigations at various international forums.
Mazhar Bangash has made significant contributions to Afghanistan’s jurisdiction. He advises multinational companies and NGOs on their corporate matters in the country, including registrations/incorporations, government approvals, licensing, good governance, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
He has additionally conducted extensive reviews of Afghanistan’s civil and commercial, telecommunication, energy, property, criminal, labour, banking, tax, and public procurement laws.
Experience
International anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations
- Exporters of BOPP from Egypt to Turkey, advising exporters of BOPP from Egypt to Turkey in an anti-dumping investigation initiated by Turkey.
- Exporters of Paperboard from Korea to the Philippines, in an anti-dumping investigation initiated by The Philippines.
- Pakistani and UAE-based exporters, in an anti-dumping & anti-subsidy investigation initiated by Canada. Based on our submissions, the case was decided in favour of Pakistani exporters, and no anti-dumping duties were imposed.
- Pakistani exporters of Matches in Boxes, in an anti-dumping investigation initiated by Egypt. The Government of Egypt and the Pakistan exporters reached a mutually agreed solution, and no anti-dumping duties were imposed.
Domestic anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations
- 29 Spanish Exporters, and their association in an anti-dumping investigation initiated by the Government of Pakistan.
- Corus Packaging, Europe’s second largest steel producer, appearing before the NTC on behalf of the client in an anti-dumping investigation initiated against dumped imports of Tin-Plate into Pakistan.
- Exporters from China, Thailand and Indonesia, in an anti-dumping investigation. The exporters included APP, China, Double A, Thailand and PT Fajar, Indonesia. No duties were imposed on the exporters.
- Hansol Chemical Company Ltd (Korea), OCI Company Limited (Korea) and OCI Corporation (Korea), in the anti-dumping investigation against alleged dumping of Hydrogen Peroxide. No anti-dumping duties were imposed.
- Hansol Paper Company Ltd (Korea), HM Trading Corporation (Korea), PT Fajar Surya Wisesa Tbk (Indonesia), against a number of international paperboard producers and exporters in the investigation against alleged dumping of paperboard in Pakistan.
- OJSC Ilyich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol (Ukraine), Taco Metalsasia Limited (British Virgin Island), Sumitomo Corporation (Japan), in an anti-dumping investigation initiated by NTC against alleged dumping of Hot Rolled Coil into Pakistan from Ukraine which was initiated upon a request by Pakistan Steel Mills.
- Taghleef Dubai and Taghleef Oman, exporters from UAE and Oman, in an anti-dumping investigation initiated by NTC.
- The Exporters and the Government of Thailand, in an anti-subsidy investigation conducted by Pakistan. No duties were imposed against the exporters from Thailand.
Further information
Education
- University of Wales, Master of Laws, 1997
- University of Peshawar, LLB (Hons), 1993
- University of Peshawar, BA, 1991
Languages
- English
- Urdu
Memberships
- Khyber PakhtunKhwa Bar Council
- Peshawar High Court Bar Association
- Enrolled as an Advocate High Court
- Member/Panellist at the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization
Practice areas
Publications and articles
- Key Win for Textile Industry in Anti-Dumping Investigation – January 2025
- RIAA Advises on Landmark TAPI Pipeline Host Agreement in Afghanistan – January 2025
- RIAA Barker Gillette represent Turkish soda ash exporters in an anti-dumping duty dispute – November 2023
- Pakistan chapter of the Chambers Global Practice Guide for Doing Business In… – November 2023
- RIAA Barker Gillette Leads Review to Shape Sustainable Shipping in Pakistan – August 2023
Recognition and awards
What clients say
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025
- “He is focused on customers’ needs and has tremendous background, industry and issue-level understanding.”
- “He is a very helpful and knowledgeable lawyer.”
Legal 500 2025
- “I have dealt with Mazhar Bangash who is outstanding.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024
- “He is a competent, knowledgeable professional with an outstanding ability to communicate.”
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021
- Mazhar Bangash specialises in international trade and trade remedies. One interviewee notes: “He is legally competent and disciplined.”
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020
- Clients describe Mazhar Bangash as an “expert on trade law”.
Chambers Global 2020
- Mazhar Bangash is frequently sought after for his expertise assisting international clients with corporate interests in Afghanistan.
