A rapidly growing firm with a particular focus on infrastructure, Farooq, Khan & Mirza (Advocates & Corporate Counsel) specialises in public private partnership projects. The practice is led by founder of the firm Omer Farooq, who leverages his extensive experience in structuring PPP’s in Pakistan’s infrastructure sector, advising on mandates regarding highways, expressways, motorways, toll roads, and bridges; Farooq is praised as ‘the best PPP lawyer in Pakistan’. He is supported by the ‘fantastic’ Waleed Arshad, an expert in renewable energy projects involving local and cross-border financing.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'One of the major strengths of the firm is the availability and involvement of the partners as well as other team members in projects. Timely deliverables are also another strength. They work with you as a partner in the respective project which provides comfort and reassurance.'
  • 'The experience of the partner in certain sectors, for example, the infrastructure development sector, stands out from competitors. Qualities include timely delivery of tasks as per commitment, involvement in structure and negotiations with clients, and above all, the availability of the partner and team.' 
  • 'Well-versed with the regulatory milieu and intricacies involved with the greenfield infrastructure projects, which enables it to provide solutions acceptable to all parties associated with the deal.'
  • 'Team at FKM, particularly Waleed Arshad and Omer Farooq, have excellent knowledge and experience working on greenfield projects relating to road,  highway, and motorway infrastructure projects. Their ability to draft the commercial terms in legal draft is also commendable.'
  • 'They are certainly the best projects and PPP law firm in Pakistan. Their expertise in PPPs, responsiveness and industry recognition is remarkable. Above all, what we value most about FKM is dependability and availability.'
  • 'Omer Farooq is, in my opinion, the best PPP lawyer in Pakistan. His amiable nature, knowledge, promptness and expertise is brilliant. Also, Waleed Arshad is excellent. He has very quickly become a respected name in projects and PPP industry.'
  • 'FKM is the number one law firm in Pakistan for PPPs and projects. Their knowledge and expertise in the PPP space is exceptional. Their attention to detail, proactiveness, and sector knowledge is stellar.'
  • 'Omer Farooq, the founding partner of the firm, is the best PPP lawyer in Pakistan. His presence of mind, commercial acumen and availability is exceptional. In addition, Waleed Arshad, Associate Partner, is also a fantastic lawyer and will be a top projects lawyer in future.'

Key clients

  • Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority
  • The Bank of Punjab
  • Sialkot Kharian Infrastructure Management (Private) Limited
  • Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Government of Sindh
  • Lyari Development Authority, Government of Sindh
  • Mauripur Expressway Road Concessionaire (Private) Limited
  • Kainatt Enterprises (Private) Limited
  • Maqbool Associates (Private) Limited
  • Hasas Construction (Private) Limited
  • Swat Motorway and Related Tourism Infrastructure Development (Private) Limited
  • Zahir Khan & Brothers
  • The World Bank
  • Local Government & Housing Town Planning Department, Government of Sindh
  • International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
  • Government of Sindh, Public Private Partnership Unit
  • Punjab Ring Road Authority
  • Punjab Ring Road Infrastructure Management and Engineering (Private) Limited
  • Frontier Works Organization
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization
  • Motorway Operation and Rehabilitation Engineering (Private) Limited
  • Swat Expressway Planning Construction and Operations (Private) Limited
  • Lahore Sialkot Motorway Infrastructure Management (Private) Limited
  • Planning & Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Habibabad Operation and Management Engineering Company (Private) Limited
  • Superhighway Construction Operation and Rehabilitation Engineering Company (Private) Limited
  • National Logistics Cell

Work highlights

  • Advising the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group on rehabilitation, expansion, operation and maintenance of airports of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore under a suitable public private partnership model.
  • Advising a syndicate of financial institutions in relation to a financing transaction of a motorway project being implemented on a build-operate-transfer basis under a public private partnership mode.
  • Advising a consortium of companies and bidders on a project to rehabilitate the Hub Water Canal in Karachi.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Omer Farooq

Other key lawyers

Waleed Arshad