The International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC), established under the Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC), Türkiye, organized an International Conference on “Strengthening Investor Confidence through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)” at COMSTECH, Islamabad. Mr. Justice Shahid Waheed, Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan, graced the conference as Chief Guest, while Mr. Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, also attended, alongside senior government officials, international experts, legal practitioners, and representatives of the business community.
The conference highlighted the growing importance of mediation and arbitration as effective, transparent, and investor-friendly mechanisms for resolving commercial and investment disputes, particularly in emerging economies. Panellists emphasized that efficient dispute resolution frameworks are essential for legal certainty, reduced litigation risks, and improved ease of doing business.
In his address, Mr. Justice Shahid Waheed emphasized that investor confidence is deeply connected to the efficiency, predictability, and credibility of a country’s justice system. He noted that timely and effective dispute resolution is a strategic economic asset and that ADR has become a central pillar of modern justice delivery. He announced that the Supreme Court of Pakistan is establishing a dedicated Mediation Centre and has introduced mechanisms for priority fixation and fast-tracking of high-impact commercial cases, particularly those affecting public revenue and investor confidence. He stressed that strong courts and robust ADR systems are complementary and essential for advancing Pakistan’s economic and governance objectives.
Mr. Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, emphasized the urgent need for efficient dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly in tax and revenue matters. He highlighted the proposed amendments to the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, noting that reforms in the constitution of tax ADR Committees are vital for strengthening Pakistan’s overall ADR ecosystem and improving investor trust.
Dr. Umar A. Oseni, Secretary-General, OIC Arbitration Centre, highlighted the strategic role of ADR within OIC Member States, stating that effective alternative dispute resolution is vital for fostering cross-border trade and investment. He reaffirmed OIC-AC’s commitment to supporting Pakistan and other Member States in developing harmonized, modern, and internationally credible arbitration and mediation institutions.
Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan highlighted key challenges faced by investors in dispute resolution, including the lack of standardized government contracts and the need for specialized legal and technical expertise. He termed the establishment of IMAC a positive development for Pakistan, noting that it would significantly support investors and enhance confidence in the country’s dispute resolution framework.
Addressing the conference, Raja Naeem Akbar, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, stated that Pakistan is actively strengthening its ADR ecosystem to support economic development and foreign investment. He noted that investor confidence is closely linked to the availability of credible, efficient, and enforceable dispute resolution mechanisms, adding that IMAC is committed to aligning Pakistan’s mediation and arbitration framework with international best practices to serve both domestic and foreign investors.
Ms. Aisha Rasool, Senior Consultant and Project Director, IMAC, speaking on the occasion stated that the conference reflects IMAC’s commitment to building a credible and investor-responsive ADR framework in Pakistan. She noted that IMAC aims to serve as a trusted institutional platform by promoting internationally benchmarked mediation and arbitration practices, strengthening local capacity, and fostering collaboration with global partners.
The conference concluded with a collective commitment by stakeholders to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution as a strategic tool for strengthening investor confidence, ensuring legal certainty, and fostering sustainable economic growth in Pakistan, while enhancing cooperation between IMAC and OIC-AC for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and institutional development.
