Sajeel
Sheryar Swati

Sajeel Sheryar Swati is a highly accomplished legal professional with nearly two decades of experience in constitutional law, corporate and commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, and high-profile dispute resolution. Enrolled as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan since 2019, Mr. Swati has an extensive track record of successfully representing multinational corporations, government institutions, financial organizations, and influential political figures in complex legal matters.

Mr. Swati holds an LL.M. in Commercial Law from the University of Bristol, U.K., a Post-Graduate Diploma in Laws (PG Dip.) from City University, London, and an LL.B. from the University of London, U.K.. His formal legal training includes the Bar Vocational Course (B.V.C.) at the Inns of Court School of Law, U.K., and he has been a member of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, U.K., since 2005.

He is also an esteemed member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, and the Islamabad Bar Council, where he has been actively involved since 2005.

With over 20 years of legal experience, Mr. Swati has built an exceptional reputation as a strategic legal advisor and litigator, handling both contentious and non-contentious matters across multiple domains. His expertise covers a broad range of legal fields, including:

1. Constitutional Law & Public Interest Litigation

Mr. Swati has argued and advised on several high-profile constitutional cases before the Supreme Court and High Courts of Pakistan. He has been at the forefront of major constitutional challenges, including:

- Presidential Reference No.1 of 2020 (Secret Ballot Case) – Assisted the Supreme Court in interpreting whether Senate elections should be conducted through a secret ballot or otherwise.
- Review Petition in the Reserved Seats Case – Currently representing clients before a 13-member larger bench regarding the interpretation of Articles 51, 17, and 19-A of the Constitution.
- Challenge to the Practice and Procedure Act, 2023 – Assisted the Supreme Court in evaluating the constitutional validity of judicial procedural laws.
- Elections Cases (Punjab & KPK) – Successfully defended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) before the Supreme Court and High Courts regarding the scheduling and conduct of provincial elections.

2. Corporate & Commercial Law
Mr. Swati is a seasoned corporate lawyer, advising clients on regulatory compliance, commercial disputes, and corporate governance matters. His experience includes:

- Representation in a $1 Billion Dispute – Successfully represented the Government of Pakistan, PPIB, and WAPDA in a US$1 billion construction dispute related to Mohmand Dam (740 MW), one of Pakistan’s largest hydropower projects.
- Pakistan Tobacco Company Ltd. (PTCL) – Provided legal counsel on multiple issues, including tax stamp issuance and legal challenges to Gas Infrastructure Development Charges Ordinance, 2014 & 2015 Act.
- Hydro China Huadong (Pvt.) Ltd. – Advised a Chinese state-owned enterprise on regulatory matters, power generation licenses, taxation, and corporate structuring in Pakistan.
- Media & Entertainment Law – Provided legal counsel to 3rd World Studios on investment, music, and distribution agreements for the animated film "Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor", working with both UAE and Pakistani media houses.

3. Election Laws & Political Representation
Mr. Swati has been legal counsel to multiple high-profile parliamentarians, including former ministers and political leaders, handling electoral disputes and regulatory matters. Notable clients include:

- Agha Siraj Durrani (Former Speaker, Sindh Assembly)
- Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Former Foreign Minister)
- Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed (Former Interior Minister)
- Lt. General (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch
- Maleeka Bokhari (MNA)

4. Accountability & Anti-Corruption Laws
Having advised and defended Pakistan’s leading business figures and corporations against National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigations, Mr. Swati has played a crucial role in several landmark cases:

- Defended Blue World City (Real Estate Developer) – Successfully secured a court order to unfreeze accounts after NAB investigations involving PKR 23 Billion in assets.
- Bailed out Ex-MD of PPIB in Rental Power Corruption Case – The first-ever bail granted in Pakistan’s Rental Power scandal by the High Court.
- Legal Counsel for AKD Group (Akeel Karim Dhedi) – Represented one of Pakistan’s biggest stock market players in SNGPL-related accountability proceedings.

5. Administrative & Regulatory Law
Mr. Swati has advised major regulatory bodies, including the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), WAPDA, and Ministry of Water & Power, on key legal and compliance matters. Some of his notable cases include:

- Successfully defended the Ministry of Religious Affairs in a Supreme Court case concerning Evacuee Trust Property rights.
- Represented Dewan Medical College against Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) in regulatory compliance matters.
- Represented Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in litigation concerning mobile frequency allocations and licensing disputes.

6. Power, Energy, & Infrastructure Law
Mr. Swati has advised and litigated on behalf of major power sector entities, including:

- Successfully represented PPIB in a 550 MW Hydropower Project dispute before the High Court.
- Advised AEDB on a 73 MW Bio-Energy Project, negotiating Implementation Agreements (IA), Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), and taxation matters.
- Defended Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) in PKR 7 Billion tax liability litigation before the High Courts.

7. Property & Real Estate Law
Mr. Swati has handled multi-billion rupee land acquisition and property development cases, including:

- Representing clients in Pakistan’s largest land acquisition case (PKR 600 Billion net worth) before the Supreme Court.
- Defending Al-Hamra Agro Farms (6000 Kanals Real Estate Dispute) in litigation over title and delivery delays.
- Representing Blue World City (PKR 27 Billion Project) in NAB, regulatory, and development-related disputes.

Notable Reported Cases:

Mr. Swati has played a key role in several landmark Supreme Court and High Court cases, with his work shaping constitutional and commercial jurisprudence in Pakistan. Some of the most significant reported judgments include:

• Supreme Court Bar Association v. FOP (PLD 2024 SC 1) – holding of the general elections within time, importance and constitutional imperatives
• Muhammad Sibtain Khan v. ECP (PLD 2023 SC 406) – case involving interpretation of constitutional provisions vis-à-vis holding of general elections in Province of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, and delay thereof
• Islamabad High Court Bar Association v ECP (2023 SCMR 1935) (9 JJs & 5 JJs) – Giving of date for general elections in the country beyond stipulated 90 days in the Constitution, legality
• Islamabad High Court Bar Association v. ECP (PLD 2023 SC 720) (5 JJs) – interpretation of the Supreme Court Rules, power to constitute benches etc.
• Jameel Qadir Case (2023 SCMR 1919) – interpretation of the local governments rules vis-à-vis the constitutional power of the high courts to intervene
• Sibtain Khan v. ECP (2023 SCMR 2165) – constitutional interpretation relating powers of the ECP and extent to which such extend
• Zarai Taraqiati Bank v. Sarfaraz Khan (2023 PLC (CS) 724) – payment of benefits with retrospective effect
• Presidential Reference No. 1 of 2020 (PLD 2021 SC 825) (5 JJs) – one of the most important constitutional cases relating mode of election to the Senate of Pakistan as to whether the same should be held through “secret ballot” or otherwise
• Atif Riaz v FOP etc., (PLD 2023 Lah. 536) – case involving cancellation of thirty years lease without notice which was successfully defended for Ministry of Religious Affairs
• Muhammad Faisal Vawda v ECP (2023 SCMR 370) – a case involving disqualification of member of the parliament vis-à-vis holding dual nationality
• Muhammad Salman v. Naveed Anjum (2021 SCMR 1675 & 2022 SCMR 42) –matter involving interpretation of section 9 of the Election Act, 2017
• Abdul Hameed v. WAPDA (2021 SCMR 1230) – successfully defended WAPDA involving billions of rupees liability being imposed by employees against the organisation
• ZTBL (2021 SCMR 1305) – case involving grant of back benefits and withdrawal of the same
• Justice Qazi Faez Isa v. The President (PLD 2021 SC 1) – case involving interpretation of constitutional provisions relating Supreme Judicial Council and removal of judges
• FGEHF v. Malik Ghulam Mustafa (2021 SCMR 201) – land acquisition matter
• Akmal Abbass v Pakistan Railways (2021 CLC 23) – fundamental right of access and right of way
• Pakistan Railways v. Member NIRC (2020 PLC 184) – Case involving labour rights
• Pakistan Oilfields v. FOP (2020 PTD 110) – Constitutional and tax matter [acted as Amicus Curiae – Friend of the Court]
• Vadiyya Khalil v FOP (2020 PLC (CS) 460) – Competition Commission [appointed as Amicus Curiae - Friend of the Court]
• Atif Muhammad Khan v. State (2020 SCMR 830) – secured Post arrest bail for the accused under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)
• FGEHF v. Ghulam Mustafa (PLD 2019 Isl. 1) – Construction of a gigantic housing society by Fed. Govt. Housing Foundation in Islamabad and matters relating land acquisition, legalities etc.
• Muhammad Salman v. ECP etc. (2019 CLC 1069) – maintainability of writ and power of the High Court to intervene in matters where ordinary remedies are available
• BNP v Colliers International Pakistan (2016 CLC 1772) – Arbitration matter
• Waheed Ahmed v. Babar Khan (2016 CLC 1732) – interpretation of rent laws especially meaning of structural alterations etc.
• Sh. Nadeem v GC University (2016 MLD 1966) – admissions policy
• M/s. Trans Tech v. AEDB (2015 YLR 2328) – LOI issued by a Power regulator is not a concluded contract
• IIU v. Dr. Shameem (2015 PLC (CS) 1336) – Full Bench – maintainability of writ against Islamic International University
• Federal Government Case (2015 PCr. LJ 1) – applicability of Cr. PC to special courts
• Saifullah Jokhio v Federation of Pakistan (2015 PLC (CS) 1304) – Service Matter in which represented the FIA employees on deputation
• National Bank of Pakistan v Saif Textile (PLD 2014 SC 283) – case in which financial institutions’ power of forfeiture of the mortgagee’s property without intervention of the court was set aside being unconstitutional
• Federal Government Case (2014 PCr. LJ 684) – bias of judges
• Zhange Guogen v. Mst. Jahanzeba (2013 CLC 963) – rent laws matter
• Abdul Wahab v Habib Bank (2013 SCMR 1383) – post privatisation conflict of Habib Bank Limited with its employees
• Nadeem Ahmed v Federation of Pakistan (2013 SCMR 1062) – case involving the question as to whether the President of Pakistan has any role to play in the judges appointment process post 18th constitutional amendment
• Ashraf Tiwana v Federation of Pakistan (2013 SCMR 836) – constitutionality of appointment of the Chairman, SECP was under review
• Shandar Gas v FOP (2012 CLD 1714) – Gas Allocation dispute with provinces
• Muhammad Saleem v. ADJ (2012 CLC 1158) – interpretation of lease agreements, evictions and allied issues
• Rizwan Ahmed Bhatti v Federation of Pakistan (2012 PLC (CS) 681) – Service matter involving termination of employees
• Rental Power Case (2012 SCMR 773) – one of the biggest corruption scandal in the history of Pakistan whereby Prime Minister and his cabinet were directly under accusation for having procured electricity on rental basis at inflated prices from foreign companies by taking kick-backs (NAB proceedings)
• Tariq Aziz ud Din v Federation of Pakistan (2010 SCMR 1301) – case in which promotions of over 50 Federal Secretaries to grade 22 (highest level in bureaucracy) made by the Prime Minister were set aside being not made on merit
• Nadeem Ahmed v Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2010 SC 1165) (Full Supreme Court, 17 member bench) – case involving challenge to the 18th constitutional amendment
• Ehsan Ullah Reki v Lt. Gen. Qadir Baloch (2010 SCMR 1271) – election matter involving right to franchise
• Sindh High Court Bar Association v Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2009 SC 879) (14 members larger bench of Supreme Court) – case in which the emergency imposed was declared unconstitutional

With his vast experience, deep legal acumen, and strategic litigation skills, Sajeel Sheryar Swati is widely recognized as a leading constitutional, corporate, and regulatory law expert in Pakistan. His unwavering commitment to legal excellence and justice makes him a highly sought-after counsel for individuals, corporations, and government institutions.