Middle East
The UAE (including DIFC and ADGM) and Saudi Arabia — tax, corporate structuring, HR and reporting for groups and investors with links to Pakistan.
Jurisdictions
Regulatory expertise across four key markets.
Working knowledge of the laws, regulators and reporting frameworks of Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia — so businesses that cross borders get joined-up advice from one team.
At a glance
- Head office
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Regulatory expertise
- Pakistan · UAE (incl. DIFC & ADGM) · United Kingdom · Saudi Arabia
- Cross-border reach
- Middle East · Europe · USA
- Service lines
- Six practices, one integrated team
Our approach
Four regulatory systems, one integrated team.
Our knowledge of these markets is built on the founding team's professional experience in Pakistan and the UAE, qualifications with ICAP, ACCA and IFMP, and continuous professional development and technical research. We say plainly what we can do ourselves — and when a locally licensed professional is needed.
Working knowledge of each regime
We follow the laws, regulators and filing calendars in each jurisdiction, and keep current through professional development and our own technical publications.
One plan across practices
Tax, accounting, corporate law, HR and IT advice is planned together, so what we recommend in one country does not create a problem in another.
Local licensing respected
Where a filing, signature or representation must be made by a locally licensed professional, we coordinate with one and keep you informed.
01 · Head office · Karachi
Pakistan
Our home jurisdiction and the base for all our work: federal and provincial tax law, SECP corporate requirements, employment law and the rules that govern foreign investment into Pakistan.
Key regulators and frameworks
- Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
Companies Act, 2017 — incorporation, annual returns, statutory registers and corporate governance, including the Listed Companies (Code of Corporate Governance) Regulations, 2019.
- Federal Board of Revenue
Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, Sales Tax Act, 1990, Federal Excise Act, 2005 and Customs Act, 1969 — IRIS filings, the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) and Digital Invoicing.
- Provincial revenue authorities
Sales tax on services under each province's own law, administered by the SRB, PRA, KPRA and BRA.
- State Bank of Pakistan
Prudential regulations for banks and other regulated institutions, and foreign exchange rules for foreign investment, remittances and repatriation.
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
IFRS as adopted in Pakistan and notified by the SECP, and the professional and ethical standards of the accountancy profession.
- Pakistan Stock Exchange
The PSX Rule Book — listing and continuous disclosure obligations of listed companies.
- Labour and social security
Federal and provincial labour laws — industrial relations, standing orders and minimum wages — with EOBI and provincial social security (SESSI, PESSI).
- Anti-money laundering and CFT
Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 and the SECP AML/CFT Regulations, 2020 for SECP-regulated persons.
How we help here
TaxationIncome tax and sales tax returns, withholding regimes, provincial services tax, FBR notices and appeals
Accounting & ReportingIFRS financial statements under the Companies Act, 2017, management accounts and virtual CFO support
Corporate Law & SecretarialSECP incorporation, annual filings, statutory registers and AML/CFT compliance
Corporate AdvisoryForeign investment entry, valuations, due diligence and internal audit
HR ConsultingEmployment contracts, HR policies, payroll, EOBI and social security registrations
IT ConsultingIT governance, cybersecurity reviews and FBR Digital Invoicing integration
E-Invoicing SoftwareOur own FBR-integrated e-invoicing software — one solution within our IT practice
02 · Including DIFC and ADGM
United Arab Emirates
Mainland, free-zone and financial-centre entities each follow their own rules. We help groups and investors see which apply, keep their records and filings in order, and plan around UAE Corporate Tax and VAT.
Key regulators and frameworks
- Federal Tax Authority
Corporate Tax (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022) and VAT (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017) — registration, returns, transfer pricing and record-keeping.
- Dubai International Financial Centre
The DFSA regulates financial services in the DIFC; the DIFC Companies Law No. 5 of 2018 and Employment Law No. 2 of 2019 apply to entities in the centre.
- Abu Dhabi Global Market
The FSRA regulates financial services in ADGM; the ADGM Companies Regulations 2020 govern companies registered there.
- Central Bank of the UAE
Licensing and regulation of banks, finance companies, exchange houses and insurers.
- Securities and Commodities Authority
Rules for the UAE's onshore securities markets and listed public joint stock companies.
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), the Wage Protection System and Emiratisation targets, supported by the Nafis programme.
- Company law and free zones
Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021), free-zone company regulations and beneficial owner rules (Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023, which replaced Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2020).
- AML/CFT framework
Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist and proliferation financing (which replaced Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018), sector supervisors and suspicious transaction reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit.
How we help here
TaxationCorporate Tax and VAT registration, returns, transfer pricing and treaty questions — with an FTA-registered tax agent where formal representation is required
Accounting & ReportingIFRS financial statements and the accounting records the Corporate Tax and VAT laws require
Corporate Law & SecretarialMainland, free-zone, DIFC and ADGM structures, UBO registers and annual compliance
Corporate AdvisoryMarket entry from Pakistan, holding structures, valuations and due diligence
HR ConsultingContracts under the UAE Labour Law and DIFC Employment Law, WPS, gratuity and Emiratisation
IT ConsultingData protection under the UAE PDPL and the DIFC and ADGM regimes, and cybersecurity reviews
From the Knowledge Bank
03 · UK legislation and regulators
United Kingdom
For Pakistani and Gulf groups with UK companies, branches or investors — and UK businesses with operations in Pakistan or the Gulf — we explain how UK company, tax, employment and data rules apply, and work alongside UK-registered firms where a UK licence is needed.
Key regulators and frameworks
- Companies House
Companies Act 2006 — incorporation, confirmation statements, annual accounts and the PSC register, with identity verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
- Financial Conduct Authority
Conduct regulation of financial services firms and the UK listing regime.
- HM Revenue & Customs
Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE, transfer pricing, and Making Tax Digital for VAT and Income Tax Self Assessment.
- Financial Reporting Council
UK accounting standards including FRS 102, the UK Corporate Governance Code and auditing standards.
- Employment and equality law
Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Employment Rights Act 2025 (phased in from 2026), Equality Act 2010, the National Minimum Wage, Working Time Regulations 1998 and pensions auto-enrolment.
- City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
Administered by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers for offers for UK public companies.
- Information Commissioner's Office
UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
How we help here
Accounting & ReportingAccounts under FRS 102 or UK-adopted IFRS, group reporting packs and consolidation
TaxationCorporation Tax and VAT questions, cross-border structuring and UK–Pakistan treaty relief — with returns and correspondence with HMRC handled alongside an HMRC-registered UK adviser
Corporate Law & SecretarialUK company structuring, Companies House and PSC compliance, director identity verification and board minutes — with filings made through a UK Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
Corporate AdvisoryInbound and outbound investment structuring, due diligence and valuations
HR ConsultingEmployment contracts, policies and auto-enrolment considerations for UK staff
IT ConsultingUK GDPR compliance, Cyber Essentials readiness and IT governance
04 · Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom's rules have changed quickly under Vision 2030 — a new Companies Law, phased e-invoicing integration with ZATCA, and Saudisation targets. We help investors and groups plan for them.
Key regulators and frameworks
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority
Zakat, VAT, income tax and withholding tax, the Transfer Pricing Bylaws and e-invoicing (FATOORA).
- Capital Market Authority
Capital Market Law and its implementing regulations, including the Merger and Acquisition Regulations.
- Saudi Central Bank
Regulation of banks and finance companies, and the SAMA Cyber Security Framework.
- Ministry of Investment
Foreign investor registration under the Investment Law (in force since February 2025) and investor services.
- Ministry of Commerce
The Companies Law (2022), the Commercial Register Law and commercial registration.
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
Saudi Labour Law, Nitaqat (Saudisation), work permits and Iqama and wage protection — with social insurance through the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI).
- National Cybersecurity Authority
Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC). Personal data is governed by the Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree M/19), overseen by SDAIA.
- Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants
IFRS as endorsed in the Kingdom, and the profession's standards.
How we help here
TaxationZakat, VAT, withholding tax and transfer pricing — with locally licensed professionals where representation before ZATCA is required
IT ConsultingZATCA e-invoicing (FATOORA) readiness and integration, PDPL compliance and NCA controls
Accounting & ReportingIFRS financial statements as endorsed by SOCPA, and the records ZATCA expects
Corporate AdvisoryMarket entry, feasibility studies, valuations and due diligence
Corporate Law & SecretarialCompany structuring under the Companies Law (2022), MISA registration and commercial registration coordinated with locally licensed providers, and governance
HR ConsultingEmployment contracts, Saudisation (Nitaqat), GOSI and end-of-service benefits
From the Knowledge Bank
Cross-border advisory reach
Middle East · Europe · USA — from our Karachi head office.
We support clients with cross-border engagements throughout the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Every engagement is led from Karachi; we do not maintain offices outside Pakistan. Where regulation requires a locally licensed professional — a registered tax agent, a statutory auditor, a notary or a lawyer — we coordinate with an appropriately licensed local firm and keep the work joined up.
Europe
Regulatory expertise in the United Kingdom, and support for Pakistani exporters, suppliers and IT companies serving customers across Europe.
United States
Support for US-based investors, parent companies and customers dealing with Pakistan and the Gulf, alongside US-licensed advisers on US tax and legal questions.
Typical cross-border situations
- Overseas Pakistanis and foreign investors setting up or investing in Pakistan — see how we help
- Pakistani businesses expanding into the UAE or Saudi Arabia
- Exporters of textiles, goods and IT services working with buyers in Europe, the UK and the USA
- Groups that need consolidated reporting, transfer pricing and governance across several countries
How a cross-border engagement works
- 1
Map
We identify each jurisdiction involved and the rules that apply — company law, tax residence, employment and data protection.
- 2
Plan
One engagement lead, one plan and one fee proposal covering every workstream.
- 3
Coordinate
Where a local licence is required, we bring in and coordinate an appropriately licensed local professional.
- 4
Deliver
Work delivered from Karachi by video call, e-mail and WhatsApp, against deadlines agreed with you.
FAQs
Working with us across borders.
Questions about a specific country or structure? Book a free consultation or send us a message.
Do you have offices in the UAE, the UK or Saudi Arabia?
No. Veridian Partners operates from one office — our head office in Karachi, Pakistan. We support cross-border engagements in the Middle East, Europe and the USA from Karachi, by video call, e-mail and WhatsApp, and coordinate with appropriately licensed local professionals wherever a filing, signature or representation must be made locally.
Can you file returns or represent us before the FTA, ZATCA or HMRC?
We advise on the tax position and prepare the computations, returns and supporting records. Formal representation is often reserved for locally licensed professionals — in the UAE, for example, a tax agent must be registered with the Federal Tax Authority to represent a taxpayer before it, and in the UK an adviser who deals with HMRC on a client's behalf must be registered with HMRC. Where that applies, we coordinate with a licensed professional so the work stays joined up and you deal with one team.
Do you carry out statutory audits in any of these jurisdictions?
No. A statutory audit must be signed by an auditor licensed in the relevant jurisdiction — in Pakistan, a firm of chartered accountants registered with ICAP — and we do not offer statutory audit. We help you prepare for one with audit-ready financial statements and schedules, and we offer internal audit, controls reviews, due diligence and forensic reviews through our Corporate Advisory practice.
Which laws apply if my business operates in more than one country?
Usually several at once: company law where each entity is incorporated, tax law where income arises and where each entity is resident, employment law where people work, and data-protection law where personal data is processed. Pakistan has double taxation agreements with the UAE, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, which can relieve tax charged twice on the same income. We map these rules at the start of every cross-border engagement.
Free first consultation
Working across borders? Start with one conversation.
Tell us where your business operates and what you need. We aim to reply within two business days, and the first consultation is free.