M.Abu-Bakr Shahzad is a Partner at AwaisLaw DRT and a seasoned banking and finance lawyer with extensive experience in corporate, commercial, and financial litigation. With a strong grasp of Pakistan’s financial regulatory framework, he has developed a specialized banking and finance practice, representing leading financial institutions, corporate borrowers, and regulatory bodies in complex banking disputes, financial structuring, and compliance matters.

Since joining AwaisLaw DRT, Abu-Bakr has played a key role in advising and representing major banks and financial institutions on a range of banking and finance matters, including loan structuring, corporate financing, regulatory compliance, Islamic banking, asset recovery, banking fraud, and insolvency proceedings. His deep understanding of financial laws has made him a trusted advisor to some of Pakistan’s top banking institutions, including National Bank of Pakistan, Allied Bank Ltd, The Bank of Punjab, Faysal Bank Limited, Khushhali Microfinance Bank Ltd, and the Bank of Khyber.

He regularly advises banks on secured and unsecured lending, project financing, and debt restructuring, ensuring compliance with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regulations, SECP requirements, and international banking best practices. His expertise in financial risk assessment and regulatory compliance enables him to structure transactions that align with legal frameworks while optimizing business efficiency.

Abu-Bakr has successfully represented banks and financial institutions before Banking Courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan, handling cases related to loan defaults, debt recovery, restructuring disputes, regulatory investigations, financial fraud, and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. His litigation experience includes prosecuting and defending claims under the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance, 2001, the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962, and the Companies Act, 2017, ensuring financial institutions can enforce their rights in a legally sound and commercially viable manner.

In addition to his banking and finance expertise, Abu-Bakr also advises corporate clients on financial transactions, including corporate lending, project finance, asset securitization, and structured financial products. His strong knowledge of banking regulations and financial litigation allows him to provide strategic legal solutions that safeguard clients against regulatory risks and financial disputes.

Beyond his corporate and banking practice, Abu-Bakr has diverse litigation experience in both trial and appellate forums. He has served in leadership roles within the Lahore High Court Bar Association, including as Vice-Chairman of the Anti-Terrorism Law Reforms Committee (2019-2020), a member of the Inter-Provincial Jail Reforms Committee (2019-2020), and currently as Deputy-Chairman, Young Lawyers Empowerment Committee (Punjab). His strong advocacy skills and deep legal knowledge make him a formidable litigator in financial and corporate disputes.

A strong believer in access to justice, Abu-Bakr actively takes up pro bono work, successfully representing clients before the High Courts and lower courts as part of his commitment to legal empowerment and social justice.

With his extensive expertise in banking and finance law, corporate transactions, and commercial litigation, Abu-Bakr Shahzad continues to be a leading legal strategist, helping financial institutions and corporations navigate complex financial and regulatory landscapes while ensuring legal protection and strategic growth.