ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):Pakistan aims to emerge as a credible regional hub for arbitration and commercial dispute resolution through professional capacity-building and the adoption of international best practices, said Aisha Rasool, Senior Consultant at the Ministry of Law and Justice and Project Director of the International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC).
She was addressing the closing ceremony of a six-day internationally accredited foundational training programme on arbitration, organised by IMAC at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad.
Aisha Rasool congratulated the participants on completing the programme and emphasised adherence to internationally recognised standards, impartiality and equal opportunities for all parties to be heard during arbitration proceedings.
She highlighted the importance of competent and impartial arbitrators in strengthening public confidence in dispute resolution mechanisms and boosting investor confidence.
IMAC Registrar Ehsan Ullah Khan appreciated the contributions of the trainers, training organisations and participating institutions for nominating representatives to attend the programme.
He noted that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provisions in existing Pakistani laws had limited practical implementation. He urged participants to raise awareness about available legal mechanisms and help ensure their effective implementation, encouraging them to promote ADR within their respective organisations.
The training team, led by Dr Nudrat E. Piracha from the International Centre for Appropriate Dispute Resolution and Prevention (ICADRP) and the International Law Institute (ILI), USA, covered key stages of arbitration.
Through case studies, simulations and interactive discussions, participants examined arbitration agreements, the appointment and conduct of arbitrators, evidentiary procedures and the enforcement of arbitral awards.
Representing the participants, Muhammad Saqib Ayyaz, Member of the Anti-Dumping Appellate Tribunal, Islamabad, described the programme as a valuable learning experience that enhanced their understanding of arbitration and its practical application in dispute resolution.
The programme brought together representatives from Parliament, federal and provincial governments, the judiciary, the legal community, regulatory bodies, public-sector organisations and academic institutions.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants who successfully completed the six-day training.
IMAC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s arbitration and mediation framework through professional training and national and international collaboration, with the aim of improving access to justice and supporting investor confidence.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
