Lalani & Associates is a professional services firm that offers citizenship & residency services through global investor immigration programs, offering paths to residency and citizenship in Canada Turkey, EU and other countries. In addition, Lalani & Associates has a full service Canadian immigration division that services professional skilled worker, student and family class applicants. Lalani & Associates also provides solutions for entrepreneurs and small business owners who wish to migrate and set up new businesses overseas. Given the lack of professional immigration services in the Pakistani market, Sikander Lalani, a Partner at the reputed accounting practice Daudally Lalani & Co, Chartered Accountants (established 1954), launched Lalani & Associates in 1992.
The firm was created based on a philosophy that emphasized professionalism, sincere and candid advice and high client service standards. Since then, while maintaining our focus on immigration, residency and citizenship services, we can provide additional value to our clients through synergetic services through our sister firms, Daudally Lalani & Co. and Lalani Capital, in the areas of International Tax Planning Solutions and Financial and Corporate Advisory Services. Today, Lalani & Associates is regarded amongst the most reputed and professional organizations within its target market and audience.
The firm currently serves its client base out of offices in Karachi, Lahore and Dubai. By leveraging its international business and governmental network in North America, Europe, Pakistan and the Middle East, Lalani & Associates is positioned to successfully execute its clientele's strategic objectives. Sikander Lalani, CEO of Lalani & Associates, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, authorized immigration consultant (ICCRC) and respected professional, leads an experienced and highly professional team. The team has global experience in Financial Services/Investment Banking, Management Consulting, Infrastructure and Government.
CEO Club: Please tell us a bit about your professional journey, your corporate profile, and the Challenges that that you encountered on the way?
Sikander Lalani: I am a Chartered Accountant. I started my article ship with A.F Ferguson Co. Accountants in 1977 - in 1981. I qualified as a chartered accountant. I stayed on with AF Co. Till 1985 as Manager Audit & Assurance. I Left the above position and joined Daudally, Shiraz & Co. as a partner that was later converted to Daudally Lalani & Co. In 1992, through our management consulting division we started practicing law. During 1985-1992 we did a lot of consulting for the World Bank and USAID. In 1995 we became the authorized agent for HSBC, Canada for the Quebec Immigrant Investor and later on I set up Lalani & Associates as a separate entity - its main focus was on providing residency and citizenship consultancy services.
The first challenge that I encountered when I ventured into the industry was that the immigration consisted of mainly 'crooks'. The general consensus was that getting visas stamped and sending people abroad illegally was the primary purpose of an immigration firm. Our purpose was to reach people by introducing the legitimate approach to legal immigration
The concept and practice of adopting illegal measures for immigration was so common those days - my father thought I was crazy to venture into something so questionable. He thought I didn't need to take such an outrageous risk given the fact that I was an established chartered accountant. I had to explain to him that barristers and solicitors do immigration law in countries such as U.S Canada. Hence, there was nothing wrong with practicing it; as long as one adheres to the laws and regulations. The first few years, were extremely challenging - people would just walk in and demand immigration either by hook or by crook. We had to educate them about the law, proper documentation, eligibility criteria etc. After a great deal of hard work and not compromising on our morals today, Lalani & Associates is recognized as the leading immigration firm in Pakistan.
We have successfully handled hundreds of cases in providing investment immigration, residency, and citizenship solutions for countries such as Canada, US, UK, EU Member States (Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal), Turkey, Caribbean Islands (Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Dominica) and Australia. We provide a full spectrum of services for Canada that includes solutions for investors, small businessmen, professionals, student visas, spousal visas etc.
Similarly, for the US we cater to programs such as EB-5, small businessmen, non-immigrant visa, E-2 investor visa, intra-company transfer etc. We are not dealing with the U.S H1-B visa at this stage - but we deal with all the family sponsorship, visitor visa and the special programs for highly skilled workers.
What is the philosophy behind Lalani & Associates?
Our philosophy is based on professionalism, sincerity and above all offering advice bearing in mind the best interests of our client; while adhering to highest standards of service. If someone comes to me for consultation and ticks all the boxes - he is eligible and has the resources. If the outcome is not in his best interest; I simply tell him not to do it. I observe the situation from all the aspects; I do the need analysis and then advise a solution accordingly. We are not in fillers - we pride ourselves on being a consultancy that adds value. My training at AF Ferguson Co, coupled with my experience as an auditor has taught importance of value addition. I believe that this is what sets us apart from our competitor; gives us that extra edge; it is what makes us the leaders.
What are the key challenges and opportunities within your sector?
The opportunities are manifold; I believe that every 1 out 4 people would like to move to a country if given the chance. They would like to go out and explore the world - this creates a tremendous amount of opportunity that can be capitalized upon. We are currently trying to venture into the area of Employment Based Job Migration - we want to legitimize the process and arrange jobs accordingly. There are a number of small business owners in Canada that illegally demand money from people that are brought in from outside the country for jobs.
“SUCCESS IS SOMETHING THAT GIVES YOU INNER SATISFACTION - IT IS VERY INTERNAL. SUCCESS CANNOT ONLY BE MEASURED IN FINANCIAL OR WORLDLY TERMS - SUCCESS IS HAVING GOOD FAMILY, A GOOD TEAM ETC”
What is your definition of leadership?
My definition of leadership is to empower your team and offer guidance that enables them to operate autonomously and run the show. I have a very young and energetic team - my Managing Director, Anum Rasheed is in her late twenties and she will be taking over as CEO very soon. The most challenging thing about leadership is detachment - my entrepreneurship course at Carnegie Mellon University highlighted this predicament and it is very difficult to separate yourself from a business that you have spent years building.
What are the three leadership competencies that you would like to see inculcated in the younger generation?
1. Strong work ethics.
2. Ability to communicate effectively and assertiveness.
3. Reading habits - a reader is a leader; in this day and age there is so much reading material one can use to acquire knowledge and broaden one's horizon.
Where do you see Lalani & Associates should in the future?
I expect Lalani & Associates to outlast my existence - that is what I expect from my team; Lalani & Associates should live on for the next 50-100 years.
Please tell us about a Lalani & Associates us about an achievement that you are proud of?
I started from scratch and today it is the leading immigration firm in Pakistan.
What is the toughest decision that you have made and what did you learn from it?
The toughest decision was to stay on the straight and narrow when I started the business; to not adopt means that were illegitimate or illegal. It was a difficult decision and initially I incurred losses however, in the long run it turned out to be the best decision and it paid off-it taught me that honesty is the best policy.
Who do you see as a role model?
Professionally, I look up to my Partner Incharge at A.F Ferguson Co. Chartered Accountants. Personally and spiritually I greatly admire and look up to His Highness the Aga Khan.
What is your definition of success?
Success is something that gives you inner satisfaction - it is very internal. Success cannot only be measured in financial or worldly terms - success is having good family, a good team etc.
What is your idea of happiness?
Contentment
Please share a message of hope and optimism for the younger generation of Pakistan.
1. Work hard, give it your hundred percent.
2. Adopt sound work ethics that are transparent.
3. Read as much as you can - acquire a wealth of knowledge!
“LEADERSHIP IS TO EMPOWER YOUR TEAM AND OFFER GUIDANCE THAT ENABLES THEM TO OPERATE AUTONOMOUSLY AND RUN THE SHOW”
