Key facts
- A Dubai court lifted a travel ban on British-Pakistani shipping tycoons Muhammad Tahir Lakhani and Muhammad Ali Lakhani on August 26.
- The father and son were found liable for deceit and conspiracy in a UK fraud case concerning a $45m loan for Astir Maritime.
- Lenders are concerned the Lakhanis may flee to Pakistan, where the family has origins.
- The Lakhanis argued travel restrictions prevented them from arranging finances and settling debts.
- A previous UK court case in 2020 saw worldwide freezing orders issued against Muhammad Tahir Lakhani and his sons over alleged fraud.
- A Lakhani-owned firm was identified in 2024 as being involved in Russia's "shadow fleet".
A Dubai court has lifted a travel ban on British-Pakistani shipping tycoon Muhammad Tahir Lakhani and his son, Muhammad Ali Lakhani, who were previously found liable for deceit and conspiracy in a UK fraud case. The decision, made on August 26, comes after the pair were issued a travel ban in 2025 by the United Arab Emirates.
In 2024, a London commercial court found the father and son liable for making false representations to secure a $45 million loan for Astir Maritime, a company they ultimately owned. The Lakhanis admitted to fabricating excuses for not repaying lenders. Despite the ongoing case and the lifting of the travel ban, the lenders are reportedly concerned that the Lakhanis may flee to Pakistan, their country of origin.
Sources familiar with the case expressed grave concern over the lifting of the ban, noting it contradicts the Lakhanis' argument that restrictions prevented them from managing their financial affairs. This concern is amplified by the fact that the Lakhanis reportedly paid $5 million to settle separate enforcement proceedings and offered an additional $4 million to $5.5 million as a lump sum settlement while the travel bans were in place.
This is not the first legal challenge for the family; a 2020 UK court case saw worldwide freezing orders issued against Muhammad Tahir Lakhani and his sons by other lenders accusing them of fraud. In that instance, lenders were awarded $77 million, though a 2025 settlement resulted in a $5 million recovery for investors.
Muhammad Tahir Lakhani, born in Karachi in 1962, has been described as an "internationally recognised visionary shipping executive" and played a key role in establishing Dubai as a maritime trade center. However, a 2024 Financial Times report identified a Lakhani-owned firm as being involved in Russia's "shadow fleet," a claim Tahir Lakhani denied, stating he had no involvement in breaching sanctions. The UK Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to comment on individual cases.