DHA City: advising on first developer NEPRA distribution licence
RIAA Barker Gillette advised DHA Energy Supply Company on the first NEPRA distribution licence, paired with a supplier of last resort licence, granted to a privately owned developer. The decision tests how far Pakistan's competitive electricity market will admit new entrants.
Pakistan safeguard investigation: NTC initiates first CPFTA case
The National Tariff Commission has initiated the first Pakistan safeguard investigation, under the bilateral safeguard clause of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. We prepared the application for the domestic industry, concerning a surge in imports of vulcanised rubber thread and cord from China.
Islamic financing behind Pakistan’s landmark PIA privatisation
RIAA Barker Gillette acted as legal counsel to Bank AL Habib Limited on approximately PKR 5 billion in Shariah-compliant facilities financing an acquisition under the PIA privatisation. The mandate reflects the growing role of Islamic finance in Pakistan's largest transactions.
A Vessel Renamed, Reflagged and Sold — and Still Arrested in Karachi
A bulk carrier carrying a Zanzibar developer’s cargo was renamed, reflagged and sold mid-dispute. RIAA Barker Gillette secured a ship arrest in the Sindh High Court and the security its client needed.
Shahmeer Naveed Arshad Joins RIAA Barker Gillette as Partner
RIAA Barker Gillette has appointed Shahmeer Naveed Arshad as a Partner in its Lahore office, strengthening the firm's national practice across corporate, real estate, banking and finance, and dispute resolution.
RIAA completes national review of higher education governance in Pakistan
RIAA Barker Gillette has completed a national review of higher education governance in Pakistan. The work formed part of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) ran the project, with World Bank support. For years, the sector has debated how much independence universities should hold, and how to exercise it […]
The Insurance Rules 2017 – Comparison with Insurance Rules 2002 and the Securities and Exchange Commission (Insurance) Rules 2002
The Insurance Rules, 2017 (“2017 Rules”) were promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan on 9 February 2017, which repealed the Insurance Rules, 2002 (“2002 Rules”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (Insurance) Rules, 2002 (“SEC Rules”).
Increasing tax revenues has proven to be a significant challenge for recent Pakistani governments. The stagnation of the tax to GDP ratio to around 10 percent has widely been attributed to a host of inter-connected factors including weak enforcement, fragmented revenue administrations, low compliance by taxpayers, generous and distortionary exemptions and concessions to entire sectors of the economy and narrow tax bases.
Memorandum on Companies Ordinance, 2016 – Salient Changes
The Companies Ordinance, 2016 (the “2016 Ordinance”) was promulgated on 11 November 2016 and repealed the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (the “1984 Ordinance”), save for the provisions appearing in Sections 282A to 282N of the 1984 Ordinance relating to Non-Banking Finance Companies. This memorandum outlines the material changes brought about by the 2016 Ordinance.
