Skip to main content

Insight article

November 26, 2024

Pakistan Public Private Partnership Laws 2025

RIAA Barker Gillette authors the Pakistan chapter of the Lexology Panoramic Guide on Public Private Partnerships 2025, which provides a comprehensive overview of the PPP legal and regulatory framework.

Pakistan Public Private Partnership Laws 2025

We authored the Pakistan chapter of the Lexology Panoramic Guide on Public-Private Partnerships 2025, which offers an authoritative overview of the country’s evolving PPP landscape. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of key topics, including the regulatory regime, procurement process, contractual provisions, risk allocation, financing, and dispute resolution applicable to PPP transactions in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s PPP framework has undergone significant development in recent years as the government increasingly turns to private sector participation to address infrastructure gaps and drive economic growth. The Pakistan chapter examines the evolution of the PPP regime, with dedicated federal and provincial laws now providing the primary legal framework, supplemented by sector-specific regulations.

Various PPP models have been successfully implemented in Pakistan, including build-operate-transfer (BOT), build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT), and design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT). This flexibility has enabled private investment across sectors like transportation, energy, healthcare and education.

The guide analyzes Pakistan’s PPP procurement framework, outlining key stages such as project identification, feasibility studies, bidding, and contract award. Key insights include an analysis of the typical contractual arrangements under PPP agreements, including allocating risks related to design, construction, operation, maintenance, and termination. The guide also discusses the available government support, security, and step-in rights for lenders. The publication examines successful case studies across sectors to offer practical recommendations for structuring bankable PPP projects.

Financing is crucial for PPP viability. The guide explores available structures, including project finance, viability gap funding, and government guarantees. It discusses developments like the Pakistan Infrastructure Bank, which aims to mobilize private capital. Government support mechanisms such as land acquisition assistance, tax incentives, and forex hedging facilities are also covered.

The guide compares PPP approaches across provinces, each with its own PPP laws and policies. Punjab and Sindh have proactively established dedicated PPP units and leveraging PPPs for infrastructure development.

Recent trends include increased adoption of unsolicited proposals, where private sector entities proactively identify and propose PPP projects to the government, and greater emphasis on enhancing public sector capacity to manage PPPs effectively.

A Partner at RIAA Barker Gillette, who co-authored the guide, notes commented:

“As Pakistan accelerates infrastructure development in the energy, transport, social infrastructure, and urban sectors through private participation, this guide is an essential resource for understanding the PPP landscape. Recent developments such as introduction of standardized bidding documents, and increased focus on unsolicited proposals are transforming the PPP landscape. The guide will be particularly useful for investors, developers, and lenders evaluating opportunities in Pakistan’s burgeoning PPP market.”

For more information on public private partnerships in Pakistan, please access The Lexology Panoramic Guide on Public-Private Partnerships or contact Bilal Shaukat, the Managing Partner of RIAA Barker Gillette Pakistan

This article is not legal advice; it provides information of general interest about current legal issues.


RIAA Barker Gillette is Pakistan’s premier law firm, with an on-the-ground presence in four major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar, and affiliated offices in Dubai (DIFC) and London.

The firm practices in all areas of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution law. Leading international legal directories consistently recognize the firm as a top-tier law firm in Pakistan.

Lex Mundi Logo

RIAA Barker Gillette is the exclusive member firm in Pakistan for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in over 125 countries worldwide.  

Stay in touch

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay in touch
Sending

News/Insight

  • RIAA Secures Key Win for Textile Industry in Anti-Dumping Investigation

    In a landmark decision, the National Tariff Commission (NTC) terminated a longstanding anti-dumping investigation into polyester filament yarn (PFY) imports from China and Malaysia, marki


    Read more
  • RIAA Barker Gillette ranks high in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025

    We are delighted to share that RIAA Barker Gillette has been recognized as one of Pakistan's leading law firms across several practice areas in the recently released Read more

  • RIAA Advises on Landmark TAPI Pipeline Host Agreement in Afghanistan

    RIAA Barker Gillette has successfully advised TAPI Pipeline Company Limited (TPCL) on the signing of the Host Government Agreement (HGA) for the Herat province segment of the multibillion-dollar Read more

  • Top rankings in Chambers Asia Pacific 2025

    The Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide is widely respected for its thorough evaluation and identification of the leading law firms and lawyers in the Asia-Pacific legal market. Chambers' review of our firm in the 2025 Asia-Paci


    Read more
  • Senior Partner Hasnain Naqvee Shares Insights at Parliamentary IPP Panel

    Hasnain Naqvee, Senior Partner at RIAA Barker Gillette, was invited by the Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy to speak at a panel discussion titl


    Read more

What clients say...

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

    "RIAA Barker Gillette has always had the most apt ability to handle, manage and steer complex and difficult matters in the right legal direction."

  • Legal 500 2025

    "We have worked with RIAA on a number of complex multi-jurisdictional matters. Throughout, they provided not only exceptional local advice but proved excellent at collaborating with firms across the world. They were instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy."

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

    "Our operation is complex and has many nuances, and they have helped us navigate all of them promptly and professionally."

  • Legal 500 2024

    "Very professional firm, able to provide clear, concise and constructive advice. Proven very astute in formulating overall strategies of engagement."

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

    "RIAA is highly professional, meeting tight deadlines with the utmost proficiency. They have always come up with out-of-the-box solutions."

Read more
Send this to a friend