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Our industries

Real estate and construction

Our real estate and construction practice has been involved in a number of the largest projects in Pakistan.

We have been involved in Pakistan’s real estate and construction sector for more than 30 years, having acted for:

  • the Ghazi-Barotha Contractor (a JV of Impregilo SpA and Ed Zublin AG) on the construction of the Ghazi-Barotha Hydropower Project (1450MW);
  • Sinohydro Corporation of China on the construction of Gomal Zam Dam Multipurpose Project;
  • the Civil Aviation Authority on the construction of the Karachi Airport, Jinnah Terminal;
  • the National Highway Authority on the construction of the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway; the developers of the Creek City Project and the Creek City Hospital project; and
  • IJM Corporation Berhad of Malaysia on the Karachi Elevated Expressway project.

Our team assists with various areas, including bidding documents and drafting all forms of construction contracts, contract management, dispute resolution and arbitration (domestic and international).

Speak to one of our lead real estate and construction partners, Yousaf Khosa, Hasnain Naqvee, or Bilal Shaukat today.

At a glance
  • American Maglev Technology Inc., represented client in the Karachi Mass Transit Project. The Firm was engaged for drafting and negotiating various agreements with the Government of Sindh and the Government of Pakistan and the City District Government of Karachi.
  • Civil Aviation Authority, represented client in the construction of the Jinnah Terminal, Karachi Airport.
  • Developers of the Creek City Project, represented client in its infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
  • Ghazi-Barotha Project, represented client in a Joint Venture for the construction of Ghazi-Barotha Hydropower Project. The Firm was responsible for contract management, dispute resolution (from Engineer’s Decision to Dispute Review Board), arbitration and the successful final negotiation of the global settlement of all the disputes between the parties.
  • Grant Thornton as Financial Experts and NESPAK as Technical Experts, represented consortium in the construction of the public-private-partnership project for a bus terminal cum commercial complex near the railway station in the city of Lahore.
  • Hutchison Port Holdings Limited, represented client in the USD 500m container terminal project at the Pakistan Deep Water Container Port, Karachi.
  • IJM Corporation Berhad, represented client in the Karachi Elevated Expressway Project. Drafted and negotiated the Project Implementation Agreement with CDGK and all ancillary agreements.
  • National Highway Authority, represented client in the construction of the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, the first foreign constructed road project in Pakistan. The Firm drafted and negotiated all the Concession and Financing Agreements on behalf of the client which became the model for subsequent road projects.
  • Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, represented client in turn-key projects of 200,000 telephone lines throughout Pakistan. Negotiated various transaction and concession documents with Alcatel CIT, Siemens, Ericsson and China Telecom.
  • Sinohydro Corporation of China, represented client in the EPC construction of the Gomal Zam Dam Multipurpose Project and the multi-billion-dollar project, the Reseires Dam Project in Sudan.
  • Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, represented client in the development of its transmission and distribution network.
  • The Government of Pakistan and the Government of Sindh, represented client in the Karachi Circular Railways Project.
Practice areas
  • Airports
  • Cement plants
  • Commercial buildings
  • Dams
  • Highways
  • Pipeline projects
  • Refineries
  • Telecommunication
  • Thermal power projects

News/Insight

  • Pakistan’s First Wheeling Auction: ISMO Issues 400MW RFP

    On 20 September 2026, the Independent System and Market Operator of Pakistan (ISMO) published the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the country's first wheeling auction. The auction offers 400 megawatts (MW) under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM). Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari announced Read more

  • Venture Capital Bill, 2026: RIAA submits comments to SECP

    The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has published the draft Venture Capital Bill, 2026 for public consultation, proposing a dedicated statutory framework for venture capital funds and the companies that manage them.

    ...


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  • 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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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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