Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Head of Public International Law Advisory at ABS & Co, recently delivered a keynote address at a high-level seminar examining the legal implications of India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and the broader consequences such action may have for international law, regional stability and the rules-based international order.
Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Founding and Managing Partner of ABS & Co and a leading practitioner of international law, recently appeared on Pakistan TV Digital to discuss the legal and geopolitical implications of India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and the broader consequences of such action under international law.
ABS & Co successfully defended the vires of SRO 45(I)/2015 dated 07.01.2015, issued under the Works of Defence Act 1903, before the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench. Several landowners had challenged the legality of the SRO, which was promulgated to ensure the security and safety of areas surrounding notified works of defence. The petitioners relied on various High Court judgments, including PLD 2008 Islamabad 37, PLD 2018 Lahore 295, and 2021 CLC 1378, to support their claims.
On January 31, 2026, Pakistan hosted the session titled “Upholding the Sanctity of Treaties for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security”, bringing together Security Council members and UN states from across the globe.
ABS & Co is pleased to announce the promotion of Khadeeja Ahmad to the position of Senior Associate. Khadeeja Ahmad has been associated with the firm since the commencement of her professional career and has consistently demonstrated strong legal acumen, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. She has worked extensively on arbitration, projects, and energy related matters, contributing to complex assignments and key client engagements. Her work has also been recognised by Legal 500, where she has been recommended as a Leading Associate.
ABS & Co has once again been recognised in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 rankings, with multiple practice areas securing prominent positions. The results reflect the firm’s continued involvement in complex and high-value matters across transactional, regulatory, and contentious work, as well as the growing market visibility of its lawyers. For clarity, the tiers referenced in this article correspond exactly to the Legal 500’s Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 classifications.
ABS & Co is pleased to announce its continued recognition in the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2026, where the firm has been highly ranked across multiple key practice areas in Pakistan. These rankings reflect the firm’s strong market reputation, depth of expertise, and consistent delivery of high-quality legal services across both contentious and non-contentious matters.
ABS & Co has examined the recent decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), presided over by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, which dismissed five constitutional petitions challenging the disengagement of employees appointed under the Death Compensation Package by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). The judgment affirms the legality of PAEC’s contractual employment framework and clarifies the scope of constitutional jurisdiction in contractual service disputes.
ABS & Co recently represented NBP in a writ petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where the firm successfully defended the Bank’s position. The Court once again held that NBP employees are not government or civil servants and therefore cannot be described as “Government Officers” on their passports.
Our November 2025 legal update reviews recent legislative and judicial developments across Pakistan, including the Civil Servants Amendment Act 2025 and the Lahore High Court’s decision in SNGPL v. Waseem Majid Malik. The update also outlines the constitutional framework governing writ jurisdiction and its distinction from remedies available under the Companies Act 2017.
ABS & Co has advised the Program Management Implementation Unit (PMIU) and the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) on the implementation of the World Bank funded Punjab Affordable Housing Program (PAHP).
ABS & Co has examined the growing regulatory concern surrounding the use of petroleum legislation to govern synthetic chemicals and petrochemical inputs used across Pakistan’s industrial sector. As Pakistan works toward economic revival, the correct and consistent application of laws, policies and treaty commitments is critical. However, the expanding reach of petroleum laws into areas traditionally regulated by chemical-specific frameworks has created uncertainty for manufacturers and importers.
ABS & Co played an instrumental role in preparing the preliminary draft of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Eco-Tourism Rules, 2025, a first-of-its-kind framework aligning Pakistan’s tourism sector with global sustainability standards.
ABS & Co recently advised and represented an international client, based in Hong Kong, in a complex cross-border commercial dispute arising in Pakistan. The matter involved contested payment obligations where traditional litigation avenues risked being both protracted and commercially disruptive. The client entrusted ABS & Co with safeguarding its financial interests while ensuring a timely and commercially efficient resolution.
ABS & Co successfully represented KTC before the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), Peshawar Bench, in multiple connected appeals challenging substantial tax assessments imposed under Section 122 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The firm’s tax litigation team demonstrated that the assessment proceedings suffered from procedural and legal infirmities, including the absence of recorded reasons, lack of opportunity of hearing, and non-speaking orders. Upon considering the submissions and documentary evidence, the Tribunal set aside the impugned assessment orders, vacating tax liabilities exceeding PKR 3 billion.
Our October 2025 legal update highlights recent legislative and judicial developments across Pakistan, including an overview of the Pakistan Land Port Authority Act, 2025 and the Sindh High Court’s decision in Pakistan State Oil Company Limited v. M/s Gillani (Pvt.) Ltd.
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