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Nadir Altaf

Partner

Nadir Altaf is based in Islamabad and specialises in project financing, energy, corporate/commercial, regulatory law and dispute resolution.

He has acted on multi-billion dollar investments in Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sector; handled regulatory matters; negotiated and finalized project documents, EPC and O&M contracts; and handled commercial and legal issues concerning all technologies, including thermal and renewable energy.

His energy and natural resources expertise includes the development of large hydro, gas or coal power projects and other thermal power projects, solar power projects and wind projects. He also acts for public sector entities on matters relating to the distribution, wheeling, transmission, generation and sale of electricity.

His clientele includes leading business houses of Pakistan, local and foreign sponsors and lenders, commissioned independent power producers (IPPs), captive power producers (CPPs), small power producers (SPPs), new captive power producers (NCPPs), off-grid projects and bulk power consumers.

Nadir Altaf represents clients in litigation and arbitration involving corporate and commercial matters. He has represented clients in the high courts and civil courts in writ jurisdiction, statutory, contractual and tortious claims.

Education
Experience
  • Partner since 2008;
  • Advised on legal and policy issues relating to private and PPP projects;
  • Representing (foreign & local) sponsors and lenders of large solar, wind, hydropower, biomass & bagasse (co-gen), thermal (HSD/RFO, coal & gas) power projects, inter alia, under the respective federal (AEDB/PPIB) and provincial power policies (& AJ&K) and representing commissioned IPPs, CPPs, SPPs, NCPPs, bulk power consumers on governmental and regulatory compliances relating to their generation and distribution activities, licensing and tariff matters, bilateral contracts and second tier authorizations, distribution franchising etc.
  • Advised clients on electricity distribution, transmission (grid), wheeling, generation and sale of electricity-
  • Acted as a co-lead on USAIDs (IRGs) US$ 60mm Pakistan Power Distribution Improvement Program
  • DDR and Risk Evaluation;
  • Represented in Expert Determination and Arbitrations;
  • Corporate restructuring, shareholding and M&A matters;
  • Regulatory law practice and compliance;
  • Public procurement and PPP;
  • Construction (EPC), operations & maintenance issues;
  • Handled litigation involving constitutional, corporate and commercial matters
  • Drafting legal documents & documents with legal implications
Languages
  • English
  • Urdu
Memberships
  • Advocate High Court
  • Punjab Bar Council
  • High Court Bar Association
  • Islamabad Bar Association
Practices
Publications and articles
Recognition and awards
What clients say

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

  • “He is enthusiastic, passionate, devoted and hard-working.”

Legal 500 2025

  • “Mr. Nadir Altaf’s command over Generation Licenses and Implementation Agreements allows him to find solutions to any contractual dispute. His ‘work ethic and relationships with public organizations such as NEPRA and CPPA make him a standout legal advisor.”
  • “Nadir Altaf and the project and energy team of RIAA Barker Gillette have offered clear and effective advice while considering the techno-commercial realities of contract management and regulatory matters.”
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Nadir Altaf

  • +92 (51) 2806321-2
  • +92 (300) 5555420
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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."

    Read more