Independent Strategic Advisor
Strategic advisory for the deals that matter.
Fifteen years structuring, negotiating and closing multi-billion-dollar financings across the GCC and Pakistan.
01 — Profile
Advisor to banks, conglomerates and investment groups.
Senior Banking & Finance Lawyer with 15+ years’ cross-jurisdictional experience spanning the UAE and Pakistan. Proven expertise in structured finance, Islamic and conventional banking, capital markets, derivatives, and corporate governance. Trusted legal advisor to leading banks, conglomerates, and investment groups, with a strong track record in managing multi-billion-dollar transactions, negotiating complex agreements, and developing innovative Shariah-compliant financial products.
02 — Expertise
Structured Finance
Syndicated and bilateral facilities, structured trade finance, security packages, and complex facility agreements.
Islamic Banking
Shariah-compliant product development, Commodity Murabaha, Wakala, Ijarah, and Sukuk issuances.
Capital Markets & Sukuk
Debt capital markets programs, Sukuk issuances, and regulatory compliance for securities offerings.
Derivatives & ISDA
ISDA Master Agreements, profit rate swaps, FX derivatives, commodity hedging, and CSA negotiations.
Cross-Border M&A
Corporate acquisitions, due diligence, transaction structuring, and post-merger integration.
Corporate Governance
Legal compliance frameworks, risk management, internal audit coordination, and policy development.
Project Finance
Aviation, shipping, real estate, and infrastructure project financing across the GCC.
Dispute Resolution
Litigation strategy, dispute management frameworks, and negotiation of settlements.
03 — Experience
Commercial Bank of Dubai PSC
Legal Counsel
Sept 2023 – Present
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Led legal work-streams for syndicated and bilateral facilities and structured trade finance transactions.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated core finance documentation (Facility Agreements, Security Packages, Fee Letters) and ancillary agreements.
- Served as primary legal contact for ISDA Master Agreements and Schedules, and long-form confirmations, including hedging instruments.
- Supported debt capital markets program updates and Sukuk issuances.
Mashreqbank
Senior Legal Advisor (VP)
May 2021 – Aug 2023
Islamabad, Pakistan & Dubai, UAE
- Lead counsel on Islamic finance documentation, treasury, and capital markets matters (including ISDAs and GMRAs).
- Principal legal advisor for syndications and bilateral financings.
- Oversaw legal compliance and risk management at the Bank’s Pakistan Centre of Excellence.
Raza Law Associates
Managing Partner
Oct 2018 – May 2021
Islamabad, Pakistan
- Founded and managed a boutique practice providing advisory on corporate, commercial transactions and cross-border projects.
Engro Corporation Limited
Legal Advisor
Mar 2018 – Sep 2018
Karachi, Pakistan
- Chaired the OICCI Sub-Committee on Legal Framework Reform in Pakistan — led high-level policy dialogues.
- Developed legal strategy for high-value corporate transactions.
- Implemented litigation strategy for designing dispute management frameworks.
Majid Al Futtaim Ventures
Senior Legal Counsel
Mar 2014 – Sep 2017
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Lead counsel for subsidiaries in finance, healthcare, fashion and leisure sectors.
- Advised on M&A, including the acquisition of “Beam Wallet,” and consumer finance product structuring.
- Negotiated BIN sponsorship and prepaid card distribution agreements.
Mashreqbank
Legal Counsel (AVP)
Jan 2011 – Mar 2014
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Structured syndicated and bilateral loans across aviation, shipping, project, and real estate finance.
- Negotiated derivatives transactions (profit rate swaps, FX options, commodity hedging) under ISDA/CSA.
- Advised on Islamic finance deals (Commodity Murabaha, Wakala, Ijarah) and developed innovative products with Shariah boards.
Al Hilal Bank
Legal Counsel
Mar 2009 – Nov 2010
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Lead counsel on landmark financings (USD 1.1 bn Zayed University PPP, USD 1.1 bn Emirates Steel).
- Structured and launched Islamic funds and portfolios.
- Led the cross-functional task force driving the successful establishment of Al Hilal Bank’s Kazakhstan subsidiary.
Early Career
Associate
Jul 2007 – Mar 2009
Islamabad, Pakistan
- Orr, Dignam & Co. (Jul 2007 – Jun 2008) — Built foundational experience in corporate and commercial practice.
- Abdul Hafeez Amjad Chambers (Jun 2008 – Mar 2009) — Dispute resolution and litigation practice.
04 — Selected Work
Zayed University PPP
USD 0.0 bn
Landmark public-private partnership financing for one of the UAE’s premier educational institutions.
Emirates Steel Financing
USD 0.0 bn
Major industrial financing supporting strategic steel production capacity in the UAE.
Sukuk Issuances
Multi-series
Debt capital markets program updates and Shariah-compliant securities issuances.
Beam Wallet Acquisition
Undisclosed
M&A technology acquisition — advised on the purchase of a leading digital payments platform.
Al Hilal Bank Kazakhstan
Greenfield
Cross-border subsidiary establishment — led the task force for successful market entry.
ISDA-IIFM Islamic Derivatives
Industry-first
Contributed to the development of the standard-setting ISDA-IIFM Master Agreement for Islamic derivatives.
05 — Education & Qualifications
Education
Inns of Court School of Law, London
Bar Vocational Course, Very Competent
2007
University College London
LL.M Banking & Finance Law, Merit
2006
London School of Economics
LL.B (Hons.)
2005
Bar Admissions
Advocate High Court
Islamabad Bar Association, Pakistan
2008
Barrister-at-Law
Lincoln’s Inn, England & Wales
2007
Languages
English (Fluent) · Urdu (Fluent) · Spanish (Intermediate)
06 — Recognition
Primary legal lead on structured finance and capital markets mandates.
Commercial Bank of Dubai PSC
Highest appraisal rating (2012–2013); appointed Operational Risk Manager.
Mashreqbank
Lead counsel for Majid Al Futtaim Finance; Internal Audit Co-ordinator for the Legal Department.
Majid Al Futtaim Ventures
“Hero of Legal Department” award; Participated in development of ISDA-IIFM Master Agreement for Islamic derivatives.
Al Hilal Bank