Founder of law Firm
About Chief Legal Officer
Dr. Awan’s exceptional legal expertise in criminal, constitutional law, particularly in the domains of foreign direct investment (FDI), international arbitration, and investment treaty disputes, makes him uniquely suited to address the critical challenges faced by Pakistan in these areas.
Dr. Awan is a foreign-qualified PhD in Law with over 22 years of diverse national and international experience in senior executive roles, academia, and legal practice. His professional journey demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence, innovation, and impactful contributions across multiple sectors especially the justice sector of Pakistan.
Dr. Muhammad Raheem Awan
Chief Legal Officer
Advocate high court & Federal shariat court
Former Secretary Law and Justice Commission Supreme court of Pakistan, former Director General Legal Aid and Justice Authority ministry of law and justice.
Member Senate of the COMSATS University Nominated by the President of Pakistan
FOUNDED IN 2000 WITH TRUST
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Served as Director General (MP1) of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority, Ministry of Law & Justice.
Held the position of Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (BPS-21), under the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Accumulated nearly two decades of experience as a practicing lawyer, representing government, semi-government, corporate entities, and individuals in District Courts, special courts, tribunals, and High Courts.
A number of his reports and policy recommendations are made part of the various judgments of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Played a pivotal role in drafting and evaluating economic and legal frameworks for FDI attraction and protection, including: Recommendations for revising outdated BITs, such as the Pak-China BIT (1998), to enhance protections for CPEC-related investments. Proposals for establishing a dedicated body to attract and safeguard FDI, akin to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Advocacy for domestic mediation and arbitration reforms to facilitate swift resolution of disputes of usual nature to address the backlog of cases in judiciary and investment disputes respectively.
Profile
A highly committed foreign qualified PhD (Law) having 22 years’ national & international diverse experience of working in high profile executive positions in government, semi government, educational institutes and private sector having proven track record of high level admiration, gratification and recognition of senior management for revolutionizing, reforming, setting performance agreements and effectively accomplishing the marks within fixed timeframe by applying practical and must do approach, novel ideas, personal motivation, dedication and integrity as a team leader being head of the secretariat, directorate and organization.
The positions include but are not limited to working as the Director General (MP1) Legal Aid and Justice Authority, Ministry of Law & Justice, the Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (BPS 21), Supreme Court of Pakistan, about two decades of experience as practicing lawyer in the District Courts, tribunals, special courts and the High Courts to represent government, semi government, corporate entities and individuals
as well as accredited mediator and trainer from ADR Center Rome Italy and three years’ experience as V. Lecturer in Law for LLB & LLM programs at University of Bedfordshire (“UoB”) UK and as the head of external LLB program of BPP University and University of London UK in their partner center in Pakistan. https://www.beds.ac.uk/research-ref/bmri/centres/cril/phd/cril-research-students.
Also, played a key role in development and evaluation of the curriculum, assessment, and professional development of the resource persons, educators and learners. Additionally, the scholarly and research work include a number of published articles, books (under publication), author and contributor of special reports submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan being the Secretary Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan forming the base of the key judgments such as, “Education Sector Reforms in Pakistan: Implementation of Article 25 A of the Constitution of Pakistan.” , “Regulating Fee of the Private Sector Schools.” etc.
Since 1999
Education
PhD in Law, in protection of FDI in Pakistan and investment treaty arbitration, ‘Protection of FDI in Pakistan: Is it Time to Address the Deterring Factors?’ University of Bedfordshire, UK (2016) with three publications.
LLM, International Commercial Law, (University of Bedfordshire UK)
with Commendation, University of Bedfordshire (2009/10)
Accredited Mediators and Trainers Training from Rome ADR Center Italy.
Bachelor of Law (LLB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
(1999-2001)
Research:
http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/departments/businessschool/our staff/staff4/muhammad-raheem-awan.
• Conducted first ever Extensive PhD, M.Phil and LLM research on:
• ‘Protection of Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) in Pakistan’,
Project Director, “Mediation and Human Rights Training and ADR Centre”
Since - 2023
Taking pride of pioneer of introducing the flagship novel idea of the establishing this Center as first of its kind in Pakistan, for the breakthrough in expeditious & inexpensive dispute resolution by training accredited mediators, face to face and online dispute resolution center, equipping the future lawyers with skills of advocacy and spreading knowledge on rights and obligations among the masses simultaneously and extending the online training programs and learning facilities.
Key Areas of Intervention:
• With this innovative idea, the first training center on mediation in Pakistan is going to be established for training of the accredited mediators in Pakistan to serve as the human resource for alternate dispute resolution.
• Large scale training programs on right based legislation for the students of school, colleges and universities all over the country by developing simple and jargon free training manuals for their easy comprehension of the human rights enshrined in the constitution, international conventions and culture.
• Law clinics and moot court competitions for practical skill development of the law students as well as focusing on gender sensitization, women inclusivity and promoting human rights values.
Key Achievements:
• Established the Directorate General of the Legal Aid & Justice Authority from scratch.
• On assuming the charge as DG LAJA within a couple of months introduced and got approved the Financial Management Rules, Fund Management Rules and Legal Aid Rules.
• Prepared and introduced three years strategic plan for LAJA.
• To achieve the key targets, established collaboration with over seventy national and international organizations of justice sector including development partners, philanthropists and statutory commercial entities of Pakistan.
• Established first mediation training center in Pakistan having prospect to work as independent Mediation center with facility to provide Online training and dispute dispute resolution first time in the history of Pakistan.
• Development of a dedicated application “Wakeel Online” for free online legal advice by making hundreds of lawyers available and strict code of conduct monitoring.
• Easing access to justice by using technology to entertain online applications for legal aid and real time monitoring of case flow management.
Member Senate of the COMSATS University Nominated by the President of Pakistan since 21s July 2023”
Since - 2023
Key Achievements:
• The very first meeting of the Senate has recognized the legal acumen by entrusting all the statutes approved by the syndicate of the COMSATS for the review and legal advice to the special committee on the statutes.
• Reviewed all the proposed statutes in the committee and proposed necessary amendments for the consideration of the Senate in the next meeting.
• Contributed by advising right path on the investment of Pensioner Fund to reap the maximum benefits for the pensioners of COMSATS.
Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (BPS 21) from 3rd January 2018- 18th July 2021
Jan 2018-July 2021
Key Achievements:
• As head of the Secretariat have proven track record of undertaking the mandate of the Commission i.e. to monitor and evaluate the impact of current laws, keep the law of land under review to bring uniformity and consistency in the statutes; suggest legal reforms, new laws based on legal research through dedicated research cell of the Commission to fully abreast to the novel challenges in legal arena.
• Arranged international collaborations for capacity building and skill development of learned judges and court staff such as on international commercial arbitration with Oxford University and use of technology in courts with Singapore Judicial Academy.
Secretary of National Judicial Policy Making Committee; provided secretarial assistance to NJPMC for formulating and enforcing uniform judicial policy, devised strategy for its effective implementation by extending value added support to justice sector actors e.g. Apex and Subordinate Judiciary, Special
Secretary of National Judicial Policy Making Committee;
Since - 2023
Secretary of National Judicial Policy Making Committee; provided secretarial assistance to NJPMC for formulating and enforcing uniform judicial policy, devised strategy for its effective implementation by extending value added support to justice sector actors e.g. Apex and Subordinate Judiciary, Special Courts and Tribunals, Police, Prosecution, Prison etc.
• Regular monitoring of data collected from civil courts up to the supreme court, Special Courts and Tribunals, Prisons, police, probation and parole for examining, policy making and take informed decision for consistent and standardized strategies.
• Arranged specialized training programs for the judicial officers, prosecutors and court staff, proposed to establish Gender Based Violation Courts (GBV), Child Protection Courts and Commercial Courts which have been established by the NJPMC accordingly.
• Also, initiated special trainings for the judicial officers and prosecutors through international collaborations, consequently model criminal, family and civil appellate courts were established by the NJPMC as an Expeditious Justice Initiative (EJI) .
• Arranged several successful national and international conferences, seminars and workshops such as 8th International Judicial Conference, International Water Conference, Population conference, Police Reforms: The Way forward and many more.
Secretary National Judicial Automation Committee
Since - 2023
to devise policy and strategy for automation and integration of of justice sector including courts, working on all level by interlinking police and prosecution departments;
• NJPMC, established National Judicial Automation Unit creating National Data Base for Judiciary.
• National Dashboard Highlighting Real-Time Data and status of litigation of all federal and provincial government departments focusing on rule of law index of international organization.
• Initiated billions of rupees automation project of the justice sector in Pakistan.
Member & Key Contributor of the Special Committee of the Supreme Court on Education Reforms
Since - 2023
▪ The committee was constituted by the Supreme Court Crim Orig. No 133/16 in the case titled Malik Muhammad Khan Awan v/s Zahid Saeed Chief Secretary Punjab under the Chairmanship of the Federal Ombudsman and under aegis of the Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan when I was acting as the Secretary of the Commission.
▪ The contribution is reflected in the separate letter written to the Ombudsman and the report submitted in the SCP.
▪ Contributed in terms of recommending effective reforms and later reviewing the Ombudsman’s report some of them are as under;
▪ Suggested short-, medium- and long-term solution and roadmap for the education reforms in the country.
▪ Highlighted deficiencies and gaps between existing and required infrastructure, teacher, budget and quality of education, and recommended for the ample school, building infrastructure, staff etc. for girls’ and boys’ education, remedial measures to address the drop rate of fresh enrolment as well as during education circle, bring the dropped or overaged youth back to school.
▪ Highlighted need of initiatives for skill development and enhance self and other mode of employability of the students by involving corporate and development sector through corporate social responsibility.
▪ Recommendations to address the long distance of schools from the vicinities and for provision of land to create nearby education facilities.
▪ Recommendations for compulsory 10% enrolment of financially weak students in the private schools.
▪ Recommended for the uniform curricula based on scientific research and modern techniques.
▪ Recommended for the international trainings of the teachers and discouraging the ministerial or administrative staff.
Focal Person nominated by the Honourable Chief Justice Pakistan For
Since - 2023
· European Union (EU) projects and Technical Assistance & Information Exchange (TAIEX) program.
· Played a key role in designing and implementing the Rule of Law Program of the European Union.
· Collaboration with Association of Asian Constitutional Courts (AACC)
Experience in the UK, Middle East and Pakistan.
• Taught ‘Statutory Interpretation and the Art of Legislation’ as Visiting Lecturer at Bahria University, Islamabad Sep 2016 – Jan 2018
• Visiting Lecturer BPP University London and Sep -2015 – Jan 2018
• University of London (International Programs) Teaching Contract, Constitution, EU & Islamic Law and Professional Skills in Practice Do
• Lecturer, School of Law, University of Bedfordshire, UK Oct 2011- April 2015
• Visiting Lecturer, LLM International Commercial Law Jan 2012-April 2015
• Visiting Lecturer, LLB (Law in Action) Oct 2011-April 2015
• Visting lecturer of the National Police Academy on, ‘Principles of legislation and Interpretation of the Statutes’ Since Jan 2023
UK-based Retainer Counsel for Enshaa PSC and Dubai Islamic Bank United Arab Emirates
Since 2012
• Legal and administrative support to Enshaa PSC in launching new business ventures
• Legal support in new and existing joint ventures and addressing the disputes through commercial arbitration
• Legal support and advice to Dubai Islamic Bank for its merger and filing claims against sovereign State entities
Headed and provided secretarial support to several special committees and special commissions constituted by the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP)
Since - 2023
Headed and provided secretarial support to several special committees and special commissions constituted by the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) to assist and submit reports to the SCP in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by examining various statutes, policies, rules, codes etc. reflecting the ability to provide satisfactory legal opinion, report writing recommending the policy and statutory reforms on legal regulatory matters of national and international interest to highest judicial forum of the country which include but are not limited to;
• Illegal Human Organ Transplant, Creation of Water Secure Pakistan, Air Passengers’ Rights, Prison Reforms, Education Policy, Matter of Private School Fees, Policy for trans-genders’ Rights, Police Reforms and Urban Policing, Mechanism for water pricing and cropping patterns in Pakistan, Occupational Safety and Health Laws, Commercialization of Stem Cells, Matter regarding Aids victims etc. (The list of the cases assisted, proposed legislation and policies recommended and submitted under its auspices during term of incumbent is attached herewith for further reference.)
• Author of several published law articles dealing with constitutional and international commercial and investment matters highlighting the number of legal issues which are later proven correct showing immense knowledge of national and international law.
• Proven record of ability to analyze facts, legal instruments, contracts, agreements and claims in clear manner and to advice accordingly to mitigate risks associated with commercial ventures and other legal issues. (details are given under head of publication)
Secretary Police Reforms Committee (PRC)
Since - 2023
Secretary Police Reforms Committee (PRC) drafted and recommended a model police law fit to address the challenges of 21st century policing. Most of the recommendations can substantially be replicated for the reforms in other large scale government organizations such as;
• specific administrative, operational and accountability-related recommendations.
• Devised a mechanism for addressing public complaints to provide speedy relief to the public.
• Legislative reforms to address the internal structural, administrative, operational and accountability features of the establishment, provides external oversight for monitoring of the performance as a credible effective external accountability mechanism.
Secretary Governing Body Access to Justice Development Fund;
Since - 2023
Effectively Managed and invested Access to Justice Development Fund, (AJDF), allocated the earned profit, to ensure effective compliance, monitored the activities in all over country at district and tehsil levels as per AJDF Rules.
Secretary Provincial Justice Committees (PJCs) of all four provinces and Federal Capital Islamabad; in order to devise uniform strategies, bringing uniformity in statutes and recommend legal policies to optimize legal efficiency and effectiveness, some of the significant initiatives and achievements are highlighted as under;
• Formulated realistic action plan having specific targets and key performance indicators by improving coordination and effective management of the stakeholders all over Pakistan.
• Ensured implementation of policy guidelines by proactively engaging all the stakeholders.
• Through effective coordination engaged the government departments being members of PJCs e.g departments of Home, Law, Finance, Anti-Corruption, Police, Prison etc.
Director General Legal Aid & Justice Authority (LAJA) in MP 1, Ministry of Law & Justice Government of Pakistan since 18th July 2021
Since - 2021
• Provision of legal, financial & other assistance to the vulnerable segments of the society across the country by establishing pro-bono & low bono panel of lawyers, free representation units through coordination and collaboration with justice sector stakeholders and development partners.
• Rules and Policy making for the directorate and management of LAJA, legal, financial and other assistance and fund management
• Training and awareness programs for the capacity building by developing dedicated training curriculum, indigenous manuals, entry and assessment criteria for right based legislation and Mediation for the law & other university and college students, lawyers, judges, general public and other justice sector stakeholders.
• Arranged special training programs for the lawyers of the 15 districts of the KPK and Baluchistan having special focus on gender sensitization, inclusiveness, national and international humanitarian laws, norms and mediation.
• Encouraging settlement of disputes through alternate dispute resolution e.g. Mediation, negotiation, conciliation etc.
• Advising Government and its agencies on right to fair trial and due process of law
Advocate, various government departments and private companies, Pakistan
Since - 2002
• Federal Board of Revenue Pakistan
• Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
• House Building Finance Corporation of Pakistan
• National Cooperative Housing Society (formerly, President House Employees Cooperative Housing Society)
• Airport Employees Cooperative Housing Society
• Advocate High Courts of Pakistan and Member High Court Bar Association Rawalpindi
• Advocate District Courts and Tribunals and Member District Bar Association Rawalpindi
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