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
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, LLM (Business & Trade Law), 2000
- University of Punjab, LLB, 1993
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
Publications and articles
- Pakistan Power Sector Legal Framework: 2025 Chambers Guide – August 2025
- RIAA advises on 747MW Guddu power plant O&M contract – August 2025
- RIAA’s Pakistan law advice helps protect $90m award in UK court win – May 2025
- RIAA Barker Gillette authored the Pakistan chapter of the Chambers Global Practice Guide on Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution – September 2024
- Star Hydro Power Wins Landmark Tariff Dispute Arbitration – September 2024
- Sitara Energy Wins Landmark Appeal Against FESCO After 7-Year Legal Battle – July 2024
- Pakistan Chapter of Chambers & Partners Global Practice Guide “Alternative Energy & Power” – November 2023
- Pakistan chapter of the Chambers Global Practice Guide for Doing Business In… – November 2023
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.”
