Paras A. Lodhi & Co.

12/02/2026

We are pleased to announce that Barrister Paras A. Lodhi, the Head of our Chamber, successfully obtained a favorable court order in favor of our client. The High Court of Sindh, Karachi, has officially granted post-arrest bail to our client, Usman Muzaffar, in Crime No. 319/2025 (FIA, Anti-Human Trafficking Circle).

This case presented unique challenges, as Usman was detained immediately upon his arrival at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi from Saudi Arabia, where he had been residing for several years. He was detained on suspicion related to his travel documents and nationality status. However, justice prevailed as the Court recognized several key factors in our favor:

We submitted comprehensive evidence, including his birth certificate issued by the Madinah Municipality, confirming that Usman was born in Madinah to Pakistani parents, establishing his deep-rooted connection to his homeland and heritage.
The Court noted that the case is primarily based on documentary evidence already in the custody of the prosecution, including international flight records, immigration stamps, and the suspect’s travel history, indicating that no further custodial interrogation was necessary.
The Honorable Judge observed that the case falls under the scope of "further inquiry" as per section 497(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.), and concluded that continued detention would amount to pre-trial punishment, which is unjustified.

The Court ordered Usman's release on a solvent surety of Rs. 100,000/- (one hundred thousand rupees), ensuring his compliance with bail conditions and his appearance before the court as required.

12/02/2026

Danish Mateen secured another victory from the Honourable High Court of Sindh.

We are pleased to announce that Barrister Paras A. Lodhi, the Head of our Chamber, successfully obtained a favorable court order in favor of our client, Danish Mateen, who is the CEO of Mateen Sons. His company is one of the largest importers of solar panels and sourcing houses in the country. The order was issued in the High Court of Sindh at Karachi, in the matter of C.P. No. D-227 of 2026.

The core issue involved whether the petitioner could secure restraining orders against the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) under Section 489-F of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and other related penal provisions. Our client had filed several FIRs related to cheque bounce cases, accusations of abduction, and ransom demands, against Faisal Hameed as he owed more than one billion rupees to the our client. These FIRs were a response to a financial dispute with the respondent.

Following comprehensive arguments presented before the Constitutional Bench of the Honourable High Court, the Court decided against granting the restraining orders. The Court reasoned that prohibiting the official respondents from recording FIRs would violate Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.), which mandates the registration of FIRs upon receiving information of a cognizable offense. Consequently, the petitioner’s request for such relief was denied, upholding the principle that law enforcement agencies must record FIRs even when disputes involve significant financial liabilities.s

05/02/2026

FIA Enquiry against The Department of Plan Protection (Ministry of National food Security, GoP) officials and importers of Pesticides.

We are pleased to share that Barrister Paras A. Lodhi, Head of our Chamber, has obtained a favorable court order in favor of our client, who is one of the largest importers of pesticides in the country. Our client operates as a major pesticides importer, fumigation service provider, and pre-shipment inspection agency. Currently, the company is under investigation initiated by the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA).

The primary issue concerns FIA’s investigation into allegations that our client procured an import permission certificate for Methyl Bromide 100% by submitting fake and/or fabricated documents during the period from March 31, 2022, to May 10.05.2025 in connivance with officers from the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), implicating misconduct during the certification process.

Barrister Paras A. Lodhi argued detailed legal points, challenging the issuance of a call-up notice under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.) and the inquiry against his client. He asserted that the client lawfully obtained the Import Permission Certificate and did not forge or manipulate any documents and he is only being harassed by the FIA on personal vendetta and business rivalry rather than legal grounds. He emphasized that FIA lacks jurisdiction to investigate a regulated entity that is duly registered and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the DPP, having obtained all necessary clearances.

The Honourable Constitutional Division Bench of the High Court of Sindh issued an order directing FIA authorities to refrain from taking any coercive action against the petitioner, thus safeguarding the client’s rights amid the ongoing inquiry.

05/02/2026

سندھ سولر انرجی پروجیکٹ (SSEP) پر نیب (NAB) کی انکوائری

ہمیں یہ اعلان کرتے ہوئے خوشی ہو رہی ہے کہ ہمارے چیمبر کے سربراہ بیرسٹر پارس اے لودھی نے ہمارے کلائنٹ کے حق میں کامیابی کے ساتھ عبوری حکم نامہ حاصل کر لیا ہے، جو ایک سولر کمپنی کے ڈائریکٹر ہیں، قومی احتساب بیورو (نیب) کی جانب سے ورلڈ بینک کی جانب سے فنڈ فراہم کیے جانے والے سندھ سولر انرجی پروجیکٹ (SSEP) کی انکوائری کے خلاف۔

بنیادی مسئلہ بدعنوانی اور بدعنوانی کے الزامات کی نیب کی تحقیقات سے متعلق ہے، بشمول SSEP سے متعلق سرکاری فنڈز کی غلط خریداری اور غلط استعمال، جس سے مبینہ طور پر قومی خزانے کو بھاری مالی نقصان پہنچا۔

بیرسٹر پارس اے لودھی نے تفصیلی قانونی دلائل پیش کیے، اپنے مؤکل کو جاری کیے گئے کال اپ نوٹس کو چیلنج کرتے ہوئے اور کہا کہ نیب کی انکوائری، جو درخواست گزار کے خلاف شروع کی گئی تھی، جو سولر آلات کا ایک درآمد کنندہ تھا، ایک سوچ بچار تھی اور اس لیے غیر قانونی اور کالعدم تھی۔ انہوں نے دلیل دی کہ درخواست گزار کے خلاف غلط خریداری اور بدعنوانی کے الزامات ثابت نہیں ہوئے۔ مزید برآں، انہوں نے دعویٰ کیا کہ لگتا ہے کہ انکوائری صرف درخواست گزار کو ہراساں کرنے کے لیے شروع کی گئی ہے، جس نے نیب انکوائری افسر کے سامنے اپنی مقررہ پیشی کے دوران ممکنہ گرفتاری اور تذلیل کے خدشات کا اظہار کیا۔

سندھ ہائی کورٹ کے معزز آئینی ڈویژنل بنچ نے نیب حکام کو حکم دیا کہ درخواست گزار کے خلاف کوئی زبردستی کارروائی نہ کی جائے اور درخواست گزار کو گرفتار یا ہراساں نہ کیا جائے اور انکوائری افسر کو بھی ہدایت کی کہ وہ مجاز نمائندے کے ذریعے دستاویزات کا جواب اور ریکارڈ قبول کرے۔

05/02/2026

Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) Enquiry of NAB.

We are pleased to announce that Barrister Paras A. LodhiHead of our Chamber, has successfully obtained an interim order in favor of our client, who is a director of a solar company, against the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) enquiry into the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) funded by the World Bank.

The core issue concerns NAB's investigation into allegations of corruption and corrupt practices, including mis-procurement and misappropriation of government funds related to the SSEP, which allegedly caused significant financial losses to the national exchequer.

Barrister Paras A. Lodhi presented detailed legal arguments, challenging a call-up notice issued to his client and asserting that NAB's enquiry, initiated against the petitioner—an importer of solar equipment—was an afterthought and therefore illegal and void. He argued that the allegations of mis-procurement and corrupt practices had not been substantiated against the petitioner. Additionally, he contended that the enquiry appeared to be initiated solely to harass the petitioner, who expressed concerns about potential arrest and humiliation during his scheduled appearance before the NAB enquiry officer.

The Honourable Constitutional Divisional Bench of the High Court of Sindh ordered NAB authorities not to take any coercive action against the petitioner so also not to arrest or harras the petitioner and also directed the enquiry officer to accept the reply and records of documents through authorised representative. n

06/12/2025

Paras A. Lodhi & Co Successfully Represented Legal heir of Abid Hussain (commonly known as Seth Abid - The Gold King of Pakistan)

Another successful outcome in court! 🥳 Today, the applications filed by the Plaintiffs under Section 12(2) CPC to set aside an earlier interim order were dismissed by the Senior Civil Judge-II, Malir.

Proud to have represented Defendant No. 1, Ajaz Mahmood s/o Seth Abid hussain, and effectively argued against the maintainability of the applications.
The key takeaways affirmed by the Court:

1. Section 12(2) CPC applies only to challenge a final judgment/decree/order, not an interlocutory/interim order like the one in question.

2. The Plaintiffs' own subsequent application to amend the plaint by adding the specific survey numbers was a clear admission that the properties were not part of the original suit, completely demolishing their allegations of fraud.

3. Affidavits seeking substantial relief on facts personal to the client must be sworn by the client or their authorized attorney, not their advocate.
Justice prevails! The order dated 05-12-2025 is clear: the applications were misconceived and not maintainable.

30/11/2025

Many Congratulations all winning candidates Sindh High Court Bar Association Karachi
&CO

30/11/2025

30/10/2025

After case proceeding with my Team

21/04/2025

Sindh High Court addresses the jurisdictional distinction between Constitutional and Regular benches of the High Court

The recent judgment by Justice Agha Faisal (appointed as a Referee Judge) of Sindh High Court addresses the jurisdictional distinction between Constitutional and Regular benches of the High Court following the introduction of Article 202A via the 26th Amendment. It arose from conflicting views of a Division Bench regarding the appropriate forum for hearing petitions related to Reference No. 01/2025 before the Karachi Accountability Court, concerning Bahria Town. Our firm through its Head of Chamber Barrister Paras A. Lodhi was representing one of the Petitioners who is the former Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah in the connected Petitions before the High Court.

Initially, a Constitutional Bench granted interim relief by suspending summons and restraining arrests. However, a subsequent bench declined jurisdiction, referring the matter to the Regular Bench, which then sought the Chief Justice’s direction. A larger bench ruled that if the Constitutional Bench had previously entertained similar matters, it should continue to do so or provide reasons for declining jurisdiction. Since the judges of the Constitutional Bench remained divided, a Referee Judge was appointed to resolve the issue.

The judgment clarifies that Constitutional Benches have exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving fundamental rights and writs of mandamus and prohibition. However, petitions primarily seeking certiorari or other relief may fall under Regular Benches, unless they also involve Constitutional issues. In this case, the primary relief sought—challenging the validity of the Accountability Court’s order—fell under Article 199(1)(a)(ii) (certiorari), placing it within the Regular Bench’s jurisdiction.

13/10/2024

We are thrilled to share that PARAS A. LODHI & CO. (Barristers, Advocates & Legal Consultants) has been selected as the panel law firm and retainer of Town Municipal Corporation Manghopir (WEST). We are looking forward to providing outstanding legal assistance and building a strong and prosperous partnership.