Azam & Rai engaged by foreign investors based in Denmark, New Zealand and Australia for incorporation of a subsidiary in Pakistan

Sector: Corporate Law
Azam & Rai has been engaged by foreign investors based in Denmark, New Zealand and Australia for incorporation of a subsidiary company in Pakistan for providing accounting, audit and financial advisory services to clients in major European countries and for conducting trade and commercial activities within the commodities market as well as consultancy on international trade relationships.

Azam & Rai incorporates telecom company on behalf of domestic investors

Sectors: Corporate & Telecommunication Laws
Azam & Rai has incorporated a telecom company, Infostructure Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., on behalf of domestic investors.

Azam & Rai engaged by major U.S. biotechnology company for legal advice on seed registration and certification in Pakistan

Sector: Agriculture & Biotechnology Laws
Azam & Rai has been engaged by a major U.S. biotechnology company based in California for legal advice on seed registration and certification in Pakistan and review of an agreement for field activities with a local partner.

In Writ Petition filed through Azam & Rai, the Islamabad High Court restrains the PTA from taking action against 4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd.

Sector: Telecommunications Laws
In Writ Petition No. 1180/2011 filed by Azam & Rai before the Islamabad High Court on behalf of 4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. against (i) the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom (Government of Pakistan); (ii) the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority; (iii) the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited and; (iv) the Universal Service Fund Company, the Islamabad High Court has restrained the respondents from taking any coercive action against 4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. under the Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Regime. In the said Writ Petition, 4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. has challenged the constitutionality and legality of the APC for USF Regime.

4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan and is the fourth LDI licensee that Azam & Rai is representing and the fifth LDI licensee, which has consulted Azam & Rai.

Azam & Rai engaged by 4B Gentel International(Pvt.) Ltd. to challenge the APC for USF Regime in the Islamabad High Court

Sector: Telecommunications Laws
Azam & Rai has filed a Writ Petition in the Islamabad High Court on behalf of 4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd., a telecom company, against (i) the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom (Government of Pakistan); (ii) the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority; (iii) the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited and; (iv) the Universal Service Fund Company, challenging the constitutionality and legality of the Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Regime.

4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan and is the fourth LDI licensee that Azam & Rai is representing and the fifth LDI licensee, which has consulted Azam & Rai.

Azam & Rai incorporates IT company on behalf of domestic investors

Sectors: Corporate & Information Technology Laws
Azam & Rai has incorporated an information technology company, Think-e Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd., on behalf of domestic investors.

Azam & Rai advises British telecom company on agreement with Pakistani subsidiary of a major Norwegian telecom company

Sector: Telecommunications Laws
Azam & Rai has advised a British telecom company on its telecom agreement with the Pakistani subsidiary of a major Norwegian telecom company.

Azam & Rai opens branch office in Islamabad

To better serve its clients, Azam & Rai has opened a branch office in Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan.

The Azam & Rai Islamabad Office is situated at:

No. 2, First Floor
Masco Plaza
64-W Jinnah Avenue
Block H, Blue Area
Islamabad 44000
Pakistan

The Azam & Rai Islamabad Office overlooks the picturesque Margalla Hills and is situated on Islamabad's main commercial boulevard, the Jinnah Avenue, in Islamabad's main commercial district, the Blue Area.

The opening of the Islamabad Office enables Azam & Rai to better serve its clients in Islamabad and its environs and to better represent its clients before Federal regulatory authorities, the Islamabad High Court and the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court.

Azam & Rai engaged by Canada-based multinational energy company

Sector: Dispute Resolution and M&A
Azam & Rai has been engaged by a multinational energy company headquartered in Canada in its dispute with a local company and for a M&A transaction.

Azam & Rai engaged by Brussels-based lawyer for advice on termination of a distribution agreement in Pakistan

Sector: International Business Transactions
Azam & Rai has been engaged by a Brussels-based lawyer for advice on the termination by its client, a major European food manufacturer, of its distribution agreement with a local distributor in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai incorporates telecom company in Pakistan for Mexico-based Spanish investors

Sectors: Corporate & Telecommunications Laws
Azam & Rai has incorporated a telecom company in Pakistan for Mexico-based Spanish investors with a view to obtaining for it a Class License for Value Added Services from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

Azam & Rai engaged by UK-based client for advice on inheritance and succession laws

Sector: Succession & Inheritance Laws
Azam & Rai has been engaged by UK-based client for advice on the inheritance and succession laws of Pakistan and for obtaining a declaratory decree and succession certificate from Pakistani courts in relation to the estate of a deceased UK national in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai engaged by Mexico-based Spanish investors

Sector: Corporate and Telecommunications Laws
Azam & Rai has been engaged by Mexico-based Spanish investors for incorporating a telecom company in Pakistan and for obtaining a Class License for Value Added Services from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

Azam & Rai invited by WEBCOP to a Stakeholders Consultation on ADR mechanisms for resolving labour disputes

Sector: Labour Law
Azam & Rai's R.M.S. Azam was invited to participate in a Stakeholders’ Consultation on “Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for Resolving Labour Disputes” held under the auspices of the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP) with the support of the Solidarity Centre, Islamabad at the Hotel Regent Plaza, Karachi on 30 June 2010.

In Writ Petition filed through Azam & Rai, the Lahore High Court restrains the PTA from taking action against Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
In Writ Petition No. 2356/2010 filed by Azam & Rai before the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court on behalf of Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. against the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Lahore High Court has restrained the PTA from taking any action against Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. in relation to the payment of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Access Promotion Regulation, 2005, pursuant to the Access Promotion Rules 2004 and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996.

Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., an Axiata (formerly TMI) Group Subsidiary, is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan.

Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. is one of four LDI licensees, which Azam & Rai is representing before the High Court in the dispute, which all LDI licensees have with the PTA in relation to APC for USF payments. 5 out of 14 LDI licensees have consulted Azam & Rai in this regard.

Azam & Rai engaged by 4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. in its dispute with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
Azam & Rai has been engaged by 4B Gentel International(Pvt.) Ltd., a telecom company, in its dispute with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) related to the payment of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Access Promotion Regulations, 2005, pursuant to the Access Promotion Rules 2004 and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996.

4B Gentel International (Pvt.) Ltd. is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan.

4B Gentel International is the fourth LDI licensee, which Azam & Rai is representing in its dispute with the PTA, and the fifth LDI licensee, which has consulted Azam & Rai.

Azam & Rai advises Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli

Sector: International Business Transactions
Azam & Rai has advised Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG (Switzerland) and Lindt & Sprüngli International AG (Switzerland) - both Lindt Group companies - one of the world's leading chocolate manufacturers on a distribution transaction in Pakistan.

In Writ Petition filed through Azam & Rai, Lahore High Court restrains PTA from withdrawing concesson given to Wateen Telecom

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
In Writ Petition No. 3280/2009 filed by Azam & Rai before the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court on behalf of Wateen Telecom Ltd. against the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Lahore High Court has restrained the PTA from withdrawing a concession granted by the PTA to Wateen Telecom in relation to the payment in installments of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Access Promotion Regulations, 2005, pursuant to the Access Promotion Rules 2004 and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996.

Wateen Telecom, a Karachi Stock Exhange-listed subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Group of the United Arab Emirates, is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan.

Wateen Telecom is one of three LDI licensees, which Azam & Rai is representing before the High Court in the dispute, which all LDI licensees have with the PTA in relation to APC for USF payments. 5 out of 14 LDI licensees have consulted Azam & Rai in this regard.

Azam & Rai participates in International Conference on “Challenges in Implementing Competition Law in Developing Countries”

Sector: Competition Law
As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, Mr. R.M.S. Azam, Partner, participated in the International Conference on “Challenges in Implementing Competition Law in Developing Countries” held under the auspices of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore on 11-12 May 2010.

Azam & Rai engaged by Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. in its dispute with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
Azam & Rai has been engaged by Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., a telecom company, in its dispute with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) related to the payment of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Access Promotion Regulations, 2005, pursuant to the Access Promotion Rules 2004 and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996.

Multinet Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., an Axiata (formerly TMI) Group Subsidiary, is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan.

Multinet Pakistan is the third LDI licensee, which Azam & Rai is representing in its dispute with the PTA, and the fifth LDI licensee, which has consulted Azam & Rai.

Azam & Rai attends lecture on "The Role of the Competition Commission of Pakistan in Consumer Protection"

Sector: Competition Law
As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, Mr. R.M.S. Azam (Partner), Ms. Ruqia Ismail (Partner, Real Estate Practice Group & Associate) and Ms. Sehrish Tasneem Zafar (Associate) attended a Lecture by Mr. Khalid A. Mirza, Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan, on "The Role of the Competition Commission of Pakistan in Consumer Protection" held under the auspices of the Concerned Citizens of Pakistan's Rule of Law Lecture Series at Lahore on 3 May 2010.

In appeal filed by Redtone Telecommunications through Azam & Rai, Lahore High Court suspends PTA’s order and restores Redtone’s LDI License

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had suspended the Long Distance International (LDI) License of Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. (Redtone) through its Enforcement Order dated 23.04.2010.

Through its lawyers, M/s Azam & Rai (Advocates & Legal Consultants), Redtone filed an Appeal (F.A.O. No. 81 of 2010) against the PTA’s Enforcement Order in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Hon’ble Lahore High Court on 26.04.2010 in which Redtone has challenged the suspension of its LDI License by the PTA on the grounds of it being, inter alia, illegal, discriminatory and arbitrary. While granting interim relief to Redtone, the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Asad Munir, vide his Order dated 27.04.2010, has suspended PTA’s Enforcement Order, thereby restoring Redtone’s LDI License.

Azam & Rai engaged by Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. to file Appeal against Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
Azam & Rai has been engaged by Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. to file an Appeal in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court against the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)'s Enforcement Order dated 23.04.2010 under which the PTA had suspended Redtone's Long-Distance International (LDI) License.

Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan, a subsidiary of Quantum Global Networks, Inc. (incorporated in the U.S.A.), is one of 14 LDI Licensees in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai engaged by UK solicitors firm for legal advice on succession and inheritance laws of Pakistan

Sector: Succession & Inheritance Laws
Azam & Rai was engaged by Julia T. Betts (Solicitors) of the United Kingdom for legal advice on the succession and inheritance laws of Pakistan and for providing an affidavit as to foreign law for submission in the High Court of Justice, Family Division, The District Probate Registry at Manchester, United Kingdom.

Azam & Rai advises the Constitutional Reforms Comittee of Parliament against abolishment of the Concurrent Legislative List

Sector: Constitutional Law
Azam & Rai has advised the 27-Member Special Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms against the abolishment of the Concurrent Legislative List under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.

The 16-page published report titled "Why the Concurrent Legislative List should not be abolished in the National Interest" was also provided to all 342 Members of the National Assembly of Pakistan and all 100 Senators of Pakistan.

Azam & Rai engaged for acquisition of 45 acres of peri-urban land worth USD 431,000 (PKR 36.2 Million) for a low-income housing development project

Sector: Real Estate & Property Law
Azam & Rai was engaged by Immersion (Pvt.) Ltd., a land development company co-owned by some of the world's leading social venture capital funds, namely New York-based Acumen Fund., Inc. and Oasis Capital (Mauritius) Ltd. (through the Geneva-based commercial global investment advisory firm, Bamboo Finance), for the acquisition of 45 acres of peri-urban land worth USD 431,000 (PKR 36.2 Million) in the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan for a low-income housing development project as part of a social venture capital investment.

Azam & Rai was engaged to provide (i) pre-acquisition advice on property laws and property-acquisition procedures; (ii) due diligence, title document discovery and title verification; and (iii) the entire handling of the land aquisition process (including documentation) upto the registration of the transfer of title of the property with the relevant authorities.

Azam & Rai engaged by Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. in its dispute with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
Azam & Rai filed a Writ Petition against the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on behalf of Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court in a dispute related to the payment of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Access Promotion Regulations, 2005, pursuant to the Access Promotion Rules 2004 and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996.

Redtone Telecommunications Pakistan, a subsidiary of Quantum Global Networks, Inc. (incorporated in the U.S.A.), is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai engaged by Wateen Telecom (Pvt.) Ltd. in its dispute with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Sector: Telecommunication Laws
Azam & Rai filed a Writ Petition against the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on behalf of Wateen Telecom Ltd. in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court in a dispute related to the payment of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Access Promotion Regulations, 2005, pursuant to the Access Promotion Rules 2004 and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996.

Wateen Telecom, a subsidiary of the Dhabi Group, is one of 14 Long-Distance International (LDI) Licensees in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai advises domestic investors on establishment of a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) as a Fund Management Company (FMC)

Sector: Corporate Laws
Azam & Rai has advised domestic investors dealing in options trading on the establishment of a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) as a Fund Management Company (FMC) for their proposed venture capital investment business.

Supreme Court of Pakistan declares imposition of emergency rule and removal of 60 judges by Pervez Musharraf in 2007 "unconstitutional" and "illegal"

ISLAMABAD: In a landmark judgment delivered in the petition titled Sindh High Court Bar Association vs. Federation of Pakistan, a 14-member Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (http://www.supremecourt.gov.pk/) has declared the November 3, 2007 imposition of Emergency Rule in Pakistan and removal of 60 Supreme Court and High Court judges by then President General Pervez Musharraf in his capacity as the Chief of the Army Staff as "unconstitutional", "illegal" and of "no legal effect".

The Supreme Court has further declared the following actions as unconstitutional and of no legal effect:

(i) the appointment of Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar as the Chief Justice of Pakistan on November 3, 2007;

(ii) the appointment and elevation of 110 judges of the superior courts between November 3, 2007 and 22 March, 2009;

(iii) the increase in the number of permanent Supreme Court judges from 17 to 27 through the Finance Act, 2008;

(iv) the establishment of the Islamabad High Court through a Presidential Ordinance.

It may be pertinent to recall that, on November 3, 2007, President Musharraf, who was unconstitutionally simultaneously holding two offices - that of President and Chief of Army Staff - had declared emergency to remove the Chief Justice of Pakistan and 59 other Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts as he feared that the Supreme Court would disqualify him from standing for a second term as President. In a move that was unprecedented in Pakistan's and the world's judicial history, Musharraf moved to impose emergency to remove 60 judges of the Pakistan's superior judiciary to pre-empt the Supreme Court from disqualifying him.

The judgment will affect 110 judges of various superior courts: 15 judges of the Supreme Court; 41 of the Lahore High Court; 27 of the Sindh High Court; 10 of the Peshawar High Court, all 5 of the Balochistan High Court; 8 of the Islamabad High Court; and 4 of the Federal Shariat Court.

This historic judgment of the Supreme Court has been well received by the people of Pakistan and widely acclaimed by the legal community as it seen to strengthen constitutional rule, the rule of law, accountability and democracy in Pakistan.