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Our industries

Manufacturing and retail

We provide wide-ranging advice to multinational corporations, trading firms, business groups and other enterprises in the e-commerce and retail sector.

We assist manufacturing and retail clients in the technology, FMCG, food and beverage, household goods, electronics, leisure and tobacco industries.

Our advice includes major local and cross-border M&A, joint venture and financing transactions, and FDI into jurisdictions including Pakistan (for both greenfield and brownfield projects), franchises, distribution and licensing agreements, and outsourcing and technology contracts. Our dispute-resolution capabilities ensure that we are regularly involved in litigation, including contractual disputes, IP-related claims and employment matters.

Practice areas
  • Contractual disputes
  • Dispute resolution
  • Distribution and licensing agreements
  • Employment
  • FDI (for both greenfield and brownfield projects)
  • Financing
  • Franchises
  • IP-related claims
  • Joint ventures
  • M&A
  • Outsourcing
  • Technology contracts
At a glance
  • Dressman A/S, represented client in a trade mark application.
  • English Biscuit Manufacturers Limited, represented client, Pakistan’s leading biscuit manufacturing company by market share, in litigation matters filed by/against Associated Biscuits International Limited pending before the Sindh High Court relating to a shareholder dispute.
  • Imperial Footwear (Pvt.) Limited, represented client in a trade mark application.
  • KASB Capital, represented client in its acquisition of 40% shares of Shakarganj Food Products Limited
  • Lakson Tobacco Company Limited, represented client in issuance of Term Finance Certificates.
  • Pakistan Tobacco Company, represented client before the Peshawar High Court Peshawar in a constitutional petition wherein all the tobacco (over and above the quota fixed by Pakistan Tobacco Board) was charged with Tobacco Development Cess.
  • Phillip Morris (Pakistan) Limited, represented client in several matters before the Payment of Wages Authority in Hyderabad.
  • SEFAM (Pvt.) Limited, represented client in relation to obtaining exclusive distribution rights in Pakistan of the products manufactured by Moleskine Asia Limited. The Firm negotiated the terms and conditions of their distribution agreement with Moleskine Asia Limited and rendered its legal opinion regarding the aforementioned agreement to the client.
News and insights

Speak to e-commerce and retail partner Shafaq Rehman today.

News/Insight

  • DHA City: advising on first developer NEPRA distribution licence

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has granted DHA Energy Supply Company (DESCO) two licences for DHA City Karachi. The first is a NEPRA distribution licence, and the second makes DESCO the development's supplier of last resort. RIAA Barker Gillette advised DESCO throughout the application. No licensee outside the l...


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  • Pakistan safeguard investigation: NTC initiates first CPFTA case

    The National Tariff Commission (NTC) has initiated Pakistan's first safeguard investigation, acting on an application that RIAA Barker Gillette prepared for the domestic industry. The case concerns a surge in imports of vulcanised rubber thread and cord from China. It proceeds under Article 27 of the&nbs...


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  • Islamic financing behind Pakistan’s landmark PIA privatisation

    In June 2026, management control of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) passed to PIA Equity Limited, completing Pakistan's first major privatisation in nearly two decades. A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation and including Lake City Holdings had won the December 2025 auction, with a PKR 135 billion bid se...


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  • A Vessel Renamed, Reflagged and Sold — and Still Arrested in Karachi

    A shipowner that sees an arrest coming has a familiar playbook. Sell the vessel to a fresh company, reflag it and give it a new name, all before the claimant can act. The Sindh High Court has now confirmed that those manoeuvres will not, by themselves, defeat an arrest, at least where the claimant can show the sale for the façade it is. Acting for the cargo owner, Orkun Group Zanzi...


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  • Shahmeer Naveed Arshad Joins RIAA Barker Gillette as Partner

    RIAA Barker Gillette is pleased to announce the appointment of Shahmeer Naveed Arshad as a Partner, based in the firm's Lahore office. The induction of Shahmeer Naveed Arshad strengthens the firm's national practice and marks another milestone in the growth of the Lahore office.

    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."

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