White Collar Crime

White collar crime in Pakistan

White collar offences are non-violent, financially motivated crimes committed in the course of business or professional activity. In Pakistan they are investigated and prosecuted by the National Accountability Bureau under the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, the Federal Investigation Agency under the FIA Act 1974 and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, provincial anti-corruption establishments, and the financial monitoring regime of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010.

Mehr And Iqbal advises and defends individuals, public office holders, executives and companies at every stage, from the first notice of an inquiry to trial and appeal.

Pre-emptive strategy when an inquiry begins

The most effective defence often begins before charges are framed. When a client learns that an inquiry or investigation has been initiated concerning their assets, transactions or conduct, we assess the exposure and, where the client is innocent and the evidence supports it, take proactive steps: a constitutional petition or suit against the relevant department and its officers to restrain unlawful action, protective bail, and structured cooperation that puts the client's account on record early.

Money laundering and illegal property transactions

We defend money laundering allegations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010, respond to Financial Monitoring Unit and FIA scrutiny of transactions, and challenge attachment and freezing of property. Where property has been acquired through disputed transactions we advise on regularisation and defend proceedings for confiscation.

Fraud, embezzlement and corporate investigations

Our team handles financial fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust and forgery prosecutions, banking offences before the special courts, cybercrime complaints under PECA 2016, and internal corporate investigations where a company suspects wrongdoing and needs facts established and evidence preserved before deciding how to proceed.