Date: August 16, 2024 | Venue: City Campus, IBA Karachi
On August 16, 2024, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) – ADR International Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), hosted a seminar titled "Pakistan’s ADR Renaissance" at IBA City Campus in Karachi. The event brought together distinguished legal experts, representatives from international ADR centers, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of dispute resolution in Pakistan, with a focus on mediation.
Kamran Bilgrami, Director of IBA-CEE, delivered the welcome address, followed by discussions on Singapore's mediation landscape by Kamran Bilgrami, Bulent Sohail (IBA ADRIC), and Seng Onn (SIMC). Eric Ives and Raquel Martinez (CLDP) shared insights on U.S. government support for Pakistan's ADR movement. Sidharth Jha (SIMC) discussed the collaboration between IBA-ADRIC and SIMC.
Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi emphasized IBA's commitment to ADR in his executive address. The seminar featured two panels moderated by Syed Bulent Sohail and Mehreen Nazar. Panel 1 included Grishma Pradhan (US Dept. of Commerce), Almat Igenbayev (AIFC Court & International Arbitration Centre), Afzal Ali (Allen & Gledhill LLP), Tony Andriotis (DLA Piper), and Dhara Wijayatilake (CCC-ICLP International ADR Center). Panel 2 featured Dr. Jo DeLaGarza-Chitlik (Emory University), Aseel Hassan (Maldives International Arbitration Center), Yuko Nitta (SIMC), Mian Sheraz Javaid (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators), and Gyanendra Prasad Kayastha (NEPCA).
Ms. Riffat Inam highlighted Pakistan's ADR efforts, while Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan discussed the anticipated ADR bill. SECP Chairman Akif Saeed addressed business dispute reforms. Judges, including Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Jawad Hasan, Justice S.M. Ateeq Shah, and Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, emphasized ADR's importance in their jurisdictions.
The seminar concluded with Honorable Senior Puisne Judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah advocating for ADR as a preferred mechanism for dispute resolution, reflecting the seminar's theme of an ADR Renaissance in Pakistan.
