Ashurst has won its first instruction from the Pakistani Government – advising the state on a new fourth-generation satellite project.

A team from the top 10 City law firm's communications practice, including corporate partner Andrew McMillan, is advising the Pakistani Government on the procurement of a new communications satellite called Paksat, intended to replace the existing model in 2010.

There is also an inclusion of additional responsibilities for the finance department.

The tender process is already underway, with the procurement process being run by Pakistan's national space agency – the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

Ashurst was instructed through its link with SUPARCO's technical adviser, Telesat, a Canadian satellite company that Ashurst has worked alongside on similar projects.

The firm advised alongside Telesat on The Arab Satellite Communications Organisation contract eventually won by EADS Astrium. Telesat, which operates a fleet of satellites providing broadcasting and telecommunications services around the world, acted as technical adviser on the project.

Ashurst's communications group has been involved in reviewing, drafting and negotiating satellite contracts, including launch services agreements and equity and debt financing matters. In addition to ARABSAT, the firm has acted on matters including advising Thuraya on a $500m (£247m) equity raiding and $1bn (£495m) procurement for a satellite-based mobile phone system from Boeing Satellite Systems.

McMillan told Legal Week: "The satellite business is a global practice and there are very few firms with the expertise, so it is good to have our practice recognised in this way in Pakistan."