IBA Hosts Transformative Seminar on Dispute Resolution

The Alternative Dispute Resolution International Center (ADRIC) in collaboration with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, and the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), U.S. Department of Commerce, successfully hosted a high-profile seminar titled “Pakistan’s ADR Renaissance” at the IBA City Campus. The event brought together distinguished legal experts, international ADR representatives, and key stakeholders to explore the future of dispute resolution in Pakistan, with a particular focus on mediation.

The seminar opened with a welcome address by Mr Kamran Bilgrami, Director of IBA-CEE and SIMI Accredited Mediator. He introduced IBA-ADRIC and its initiatives, expressing gratitude to the keynote speakers: Hon’ble Senior Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah; Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC), Muhammad Shafi Siddique; Hon’ble Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Jawad Hassan; and Hon’ble Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb.

The event included a pivotal discussion on the mediation landscape in Singapore, exploring opportunities and future prospects for Pakistan. Moderated by Mr Bilgrami and Syed Bulent Sohail, Head of Program & Partnerships at IBA ADRIC and SIMI Trained Mediator, the session featured insights from Eric Ives and Raquel Martinez, Attorney Advisors from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Sidharth Jha, Legal Counsel at the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC).

Dr S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA, delivered the executive address, recognizing the advancements made in ADR and reaffirming IBA’s commitment to collaborative initiatives. Dr Zaidi emphasized that ADR remains a critical tool for resolving disputes and promoting legal efficiency in Pakistan.

A highlight of the seminar was a bi-panel discussion on “Bridging Borders: Enhancing International and Regional Connectivity for Economic Growth and Stability”. Moderated by Mr Sohail and Assistant Professor of Law at IBA, Ms Mehreen Nazar, the panel featured prominent experts from ADR centers across South Asia and Central Asia. The discussions focused on the challenges of mediation and the role of technology in strengthening regional connectivity.

Panelists included Grishma Pradhan from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Almat Igenbayev from the AIFC Court & International Arbitration Centre, Afzal Ali from Allen & Gledhill LLP in Singapore, Tony Andriotis from DLA Piper Japan, and Dhara Wijayatilake from the CCC-ICLP International ADR Center in Sri Lanka, among others.

The second bi-panel discussion delved into practical ways to institutionalize mediation in Pakistan. Notable participants included Dr Jo DeLaGarza-Chitlik from Emory University, Aseel Hassan from the Maldives International Arbitration Center, Yuko Nitta from SIMC, and Mian Sheraz Javaid from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Ms Riffat Inam, Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), delivered a special address, highlighting the practices being adopted to promote ADR in the country. She emphasized the efforts of the Supreme Court’s ADR task force in developing a legal framework for mediation.

In his keynote address, Justice Jawad Hassan recognized Pakistan’s progress in ADR, citing his observations from a recent visit to London. Justice Attique Shah also stressed the impact of ADR on reducing the judiciary’s caseload, while Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui called for a broader focus on all forms of ADR, not just mediation, to alleviate Pakistan’s backlog of cases.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah concluded the seminar by urging Pakistan to keep ADR at the forefront of dispute resolution, noting its effectiveness across various industries.

The seminar ended with a ceremony to distribute mementos, symbolizing the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to advancing ADR practices in Pakistan.

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