A Harris County District Court has reinstated claims for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract against Houston businessman Muhammad Tahir Javed, allowing local entrepreneur Tanweer Ahmed to move forward in a lawsuit alleging that Javed engaged in deceptive and harmful business practices.  Schmidt Law Firm, PLLC, and Pete Patterson of Paterson, PC, have been engaged to represent Tanweer Ahmed in this and related litigation.

Although Javed has publicly claimed “victory” after the Court dismissed separate defamation-based claims, the reality is very different. The Court’s ruling did not find Javed’s statements truthful. Instead, the dismissal was based solely on a procedural statute—the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA)—that prevents certain defamation lawsuits when the defendant successfully labels the plaintiff a “public figure.”

In other words, Javed avoided trial on the defamation claims not because the Court found he was telling the truth, but because he argued that Tanweer Ahmed is such a prominent public figure that Javed’s statements—true or not—were protected as “free speech” under the TCPA.

The Court, however, rejected Javed’s attempt to escape liability for his business dealings. Ahmed’s claims for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract have been reinstated and will now proceed through discovery and trial.

What the Fraud Lawsuit Alleges

According to the lawsuit, Javed made a series of false statements and deceptive representations that caused significant financial harm to Mr. Ahmed. The claims center on business transactions in which Javed allegedly misled Ahmed, concealed critical information, or made promises he never intended to keep.

These reinstated claims allow a jury to evaluate:

Whether Javed knowingly made false representations

Whether he induced Mr. Ahmed to rely on inaccurate or deceptive information

Whether his conduct caused financial losses recoverable under Texas law

Lead counsel Tom Schmidt stated:

“This ruling clears the way for us to hold Mr. Javed accountable for his business misconduct. He has been hiding behind the rhetoric of free speech, but now the focus shifts to what really matters—the deceitful conduct alleged in the lawsuit.”

Background: A Broader Conflict in the U.S.–Pakistani Community

Both men are active in the U.S.–Pakistani business and political communities. Tensions intensified during a period when Mr. Javed was heavily involved in political campaigning, including efforts supporting his son, Abrahim Javed, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 Democratic primary for Fort Bend County Commissioner, Precinct 3.  Javed had negotiated an appointment as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for investment, but it was reported in the press that his appointment was taken back because of concerns of felony criminal charges that had been brought against Javed in the United States.

The lawsuit alleges that behind the scenes of these public activities, Javed engaged in fraudulent business practices that harmed Mr. Ahmed. With the fraud and misrepresentation claims now reinstated, the case returns to the trial docket, where both sides will conduct discovery and prepare for a jury trial on the merits.

Case Information

Case: Tanweer Ahmed v. Muhammad Tahir Javed, Kamran Jilani, and Jago Times
Cause No.: 2025-35033
Court: 11th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas

A copy of the lawsuit can be found here: https://schmidtfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Plaintiffs-Petition-in-Defamation-Case.pdf