RIAA secures stay for tech giant against offshore digital services tax
The Islamabad High Court halted Pakistan's offshore digital services tax demand against a multinational digital platform. RIAA Barker Gillette represents the company in this precedent-setting challenge to taxation of subscription revenues under double taxation agreements.
RIAA Advises Lenders on Islamic Finance Facility for PetPak Films
RIAA Barker Gillette advised a banking syndicate on a significant Pakistan Islamic finance transaction for the packaging sector. The facility supports PetPak Films' BOPET manufacturing operations in Sheikhupura.
Pakistan’s First Green Captive Power Project under Ijarah structure
RIAA Barker Gillette acts as project counsel to Power Cement Limited on Pakistan's first green captive power transaction, a landmark Rs. 1.5 billion Shariah-compliant lease financing for 7.5 MW wind facility.
RIAA Wins Telecoms Arbitration Challenge & Secures Full Recovery
The Sindh High Court dismissed NTC's objections to a telecommunications arbitral award, leading to successful recovery for Zahra Communications through swift execution proceedings, within months of judgment.
The Islamabad High Court delivered a landmark judgment clarifying that sunset reviews cannot be initiated after anti-dumping duties expire. RIAA Barker Gillette successfully represented multiple petitioners in this precedent-setting case.
RIAA advises on 747MW Guddu power plant O&M contract
RIAA Barker Gillette represented Power China affiliate HEPSEC in Operation & Maintenance contract negotiations for Pakistan's 747 MW Guddu Combined Cycle Power Plant. The landmark agreement with GENCO-II strengthens China-Pakistan energy cooperation under the CPEC framework.
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2017 (“2017 Rules”) were promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan on 9 February 2017, which repealed the Insurance Rules, 2002 (“2002 Rules”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (Insurance) Rules, 2002 (“SEC Rules”).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.
