KHAWAJA & KAMAL - Key Persons
Farouq Safdar is currently serving in the Firm as an Associate Partner at our Islamabad Office. Mr. Farouq did his LL.B. in the year 1999 from Bahu din Zakaria University, Multan. Mr. Farouq practiced in Multan, in the initial days of his career. He has an experience of over two decades in handling banking litigation at various forums and courts. He started his career in banking as an in - house lawyer in the year 2001 with the Citi Bank NA Islamabad. At this Bank he managed the internal legal department for handling litigations (against the Bank/ By the Bank). Managed the execution process by conducting auction proceedings of the properties and the assets which were mortgaged / pledged by the judgment debtors, for recovery of loan amounts of the Bank. In his capacity as an in - house lawyer he undertook the litigation process, on behalf of the Bank, both in civil and criminal law.
Thereafter he joined Union Bank Limited and served there from 2002 to 2007. During his stay in this later bank, Mr. Farouq looked after the internal legal department of Union Bank Islamabad as Regional Manager (Legal). In his role as Regional Manager (Legal) he was responsible for all the litigations by and against the bank at regional level. Conducted successful auctions of the properties related to judgment debtors for recovery of decretal amounts. Recovered huge amounts (Decretal Amount) through the settlements out of the courts by having successful negotiations. During his stay Union Bank, he appeared before the courts representing the bank at High Courts, Civil Courts, Banking Courts, and such other judicial forums.
Mr. Farouq also served as Manager Litigation at Askari Bank Limited from 2008 to 2013 and managed the recovery portfolio of consumer banking. Lately Mr. Farouq had been lately at First Microfinance Bank Limited from 2014 - 2018 as the Head Litigation & Advisory, in the legal division of the Bank. In his role he supervised the litigations, undertaken by and against the Bank, across Pakistan at all relevant judicial forums. The litigation matters, included civil, commercial frauds, banking, labour matters, service matters, IT laws etc. He, in his capacity, also represented the bank before the external agencies (Local Police/ FIA) with regard to frauds committed by the employees and the borrowers of the bank.
Mr. Faruoq Safdar has also served with the First Micro Finance Bank for Seven years (20014-2021) As Head Legal Mr. Farouq also had the role of being internal legal advisor to all stakeholders at the bank. In his position at the bank he also conducted training of all concerned staff of the Bank on handling legal matters, and implementation of rules, regulations and bank policies.
Mr. Farouq also has vast experience to conduct forensic audit/ investigations against frauds to establish the white-collar crimes, against culprits got criminal cases registered, against all alleged accused, on the basis of investigations/ audits, conducted thereto.
At the Firm, Mr. Farouq is currently looking after litigation matters of banking companies before Banking Courts, High Court and other related forums. Mr. Farouq is also assisting the Managing Partner and also providing advisory to the clients of the Firm in the areas of Banking Laws, Labour Laws, Laws relating to properties, employees matter before NIRC etc. He is also involved in various settlement proceedings, on behalf of the banking clients. Mr. Farouq Safdar is an Advocate High Court enrolled with Punjab Bar Council.
Hafiz Faizan did his LL.B. from University of the Punjab. The focus of his practice area is civil and criminal litigation. He currently assists the senior partner at Lahore on all litigation issues. He has been admitted to Punjab Bar Council and is licensed as an Advocate High Court.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- IT Manager
- IT Consultant
Hassan HA serves as an IT Manager and consultant with over 20 years of experience he oversees the IT operations, offering strategic guidance and technical solutions. His expertise spans various domains making him a trusted advisor in the field of technology and law.
With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Hassan is an integral part of the team, serving as an IT consultant and manager. He offers strategic guidance and technical solutions to drive digital transformation and improve organizational efficiency. Known for simplifying complex technology, Mr. Hassan excels in optimizing digital systems and using technology to boost business growth. His extensive knowledge of IT and proven success make him a valuable asset in today's fast-paced digital landscape.
Muhammad Bilal Riaz graduated from Punjab University Law College with an LLB degree in the year 2017. Since his graduation, he has worked with different firms and companies, with the main focus on taxation and property laws. Mr. Bilal joined the firm in the year 2022 and since his induction he is managing litigation on behalf of our clients. Further to above Mr. Bilal has also assisted the Managing Partner in legislative matters and research pertaining to Aviation Laws in Pakistan coupled with Constitution of Pakistan. He has also been assisting the senior management of the Firm, in cases pertaining to Anti - Money Laundering Laws. Mr Bilal is a member of Lahore High Court Bar Association and Punjab Bar Council.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Member of the ATTORNEYS and ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Muhammad Kamal Hassan is Managing Partner in the firm. His practice mainly aims at banking and commercial law with specific emphasis on commercial arbitration and dispute resolution methodologies. He is currently conducting the litigation matters of banking companies at the Banking Courts and High Court level. Mr. Kamal provides the consultancy to the corporate clients of the firm especially in the area of telecommunication law. He had been involved in various settlement proceedings, on behalf of the clients, with banking companies. Though, he has multi-dimensional field of practice yet it converges on the commercial and corporate issues. He had been the law attorney of a known regional bank in the case, which was akin to commercial fraud. Thus, Mr. Kamal has his expertise on the criminal proceedings, in the court, in relation to corporate and commercial entities. Most of the consultancy matters of the firm are handled by him, in consultation with the other Partner.
Mr. Kamal has formerly worked in the legal policy division of the central bank, while he pursued his postgraduate studies in United Kingdom. Further to this he also rendered legal services to a leading security company, having presence across United Kingdom. He did an internship with Mumtalakat Bahrain Investments, which is an investment arm of Kingdom of Bahrain.
Mr. Kamal started his legal career by working in a renowned and known law firm of the country, where he participated in many high-profile transactions, including the shariah compliant international offering of Trust Finance Certificates (TFCs) (Sukuk Bonds) and the biggest ever privatization transaction of Pakistan Telecommunication Limited, in Pakistan. The partner of the firm, Mr. Mansoor Hassan Khan, whom he holds to be his role model and mentor in the profession, did a great deal to further polish the legal acumen of Mr. Kamal.
Besides pursuing the law practice, Mr. Kamal also had his part in the legal education. At the early stages of his practice he served as the Research Associate to the Dean of Faculty of Law, University of the Central Punjab, where he conducted research on the judicial reforms by Asian Development Bank. He also contributed to the law journal of University College London (UCL) through writing article on International Commercial Arbitration. He is the Honorary Editor in Chief of "THE LAW NOTES" a fortnightly legal publication.
Besides pursuing the law practice, Mr. Kamal also had his part in the legal education. At the early stages of his practice he served as the Research Associate to the Dean of Faculty of Law, University of the Central Punjab, where he conducted research on the judicial reforms by Asian Development Bank. He also contributed to the law journal of University College London (UCL) through writing article on International Commercial Arbitration. He is the Honorary Editor in Chief of "THE LAW NOTES" a fortnightly legal publication.
Qamar Iqbal focuses his practice in civil and criminal litigation. In addition to this he had been involved in drafting various agreements, deeds and legal documents. Mr. Iqbal has a grasp over preparation of quality pleadings. He also has an exposure in Consumer Protection Laws and has conducted litigation, of complex nature; in consumer courts. After doing B.A. he completed his LL.B from Punjab Law College. He is currently in-charge of the Lahore office and handles the matters ancillary thereto. He is currently the Senior Associate in our office. He is enrolled to practice in the High Courts and holds the professional membership of Lahore Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ATTORNEYS and ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
- Partner
- Senior Partner
Shahzad Saleem Khawaja is the Partner of the firm and is Advocate High Courts. He currently undertakes the litigation work of the firm, which includes civil, commercial and criminal matters. He holds specialism in Procedural Laws with special reference to civil and criminal cases. Mr. Khawaja has appearance in numerous cases across the country out of which around 200 different cases were in the Lahore High Court. He has a multi-provincial law practice and continues to appear before all forums including High Courts in other provinces. He has also advised foreign clients on various issues related to business in Pakistan, especially in the construction matters. He also holds sway over legal matters related to real estate and property transfers. He had been attorney of some very high profile people, in constitutional cases/petitions of pivotal nature, in the Lahore High Court, Lahore. He has also been appearing in the cases related to oil sector, thus, has his expertise on oil & gas regulations and laws in Pakistan. Mr. Khawaja has also rendered opinions on Islamic Modes of Finance, such as Takaful (Islamic Insurance) and Ijarah (Asset Lease), to our clients.
Primarily, Mr. Khawaja joined a renowned lawyer of the country, when he crossed the threshold of legal profession. Previously he was running his office under the name of Khawaja Law Associates, established in the year 1998. During his decade long solo practice, the major areas were civil and criminal litigation.
Mr. Khawaja did his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, from Government College; Lahore and was subsequently awarded his LL.B degree from University of the Punjab. Thereafter, he joined the legal profession and was admitted to Punjab Bar Council to practise in lower courts. He later was enrolled as an advocate in High Courts. Currently, Mr. Khawaja has the professional memberships of Lahore Bar Association and Lahore High Court Bar Association. He is eligible to practice in Supreme Court of Pakistan and his license is underway.
Tariq Bashir Dogar possesses more than 20 years of experience in his profession with focus on advising, expert level consultancy in legal matters, to various organizations and individuals across Pakistan. Being a result driven professional, he is highly skilled at developing and executing and advising varied class of clients both in public and private sectors, and has made appearances before all courts of Pakistan, more particularly Supreme Court of Pakistan, for such public and private sector organization. As a qualified professional and legal expert he has devised multiple methodology of dispute resolution to the clients. In the capacity of Partner of Khawaja & Kamal (Attorneys At Law), we have had rich experience of hiring his services for appearance before Supreme Court of Pakistan, in the cases of the said Firm, where his precision approach and legal acumen found the way in for our valued clients.