The International Mediation & Arbitration Centre (IMAC), Ministry of Law and Justice, successfully concluded its 6-Day Internationally Accredited Civil/Commercial Mediation Training Programme at COMSTECH, Islamabad, marking another significant milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) landscape.
The closing ceremony was graced by the Hon'ble Chief Guest, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who highlighted the urgent need to strengthen mediation mechanisms in Pakistan in light of the growing burden on courts and the increasing demand for efficient dispute resolution systems.
Addressing the participants, the Hon'ble Judge emphasized the significant backlog of cases before courts and observed that mediation offers a practical and effective pathway for reducing litigation burdens and ensuring timely justice. He encouraged mediators to dedicate part of their services on a pro bono basis to facilitate access to justice while also emphasizing that professional mediators should be adequately compensated in recognition of the efficiency, expertise, and value they bring to dispute resolution processes.
Justice Aurangzeb observed that mediation is increasingly becoming a highly promising and lucrative professional field globally, reflecting its growing acceptance as an indispensable component of modern justice systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Raja Naeem Akbar, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, reiterated the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms across the country. He highlighted Pakistan’s significant progress in ADR reforms, including the signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, ratification of the IOMed Convention, and the establishment of IMAC under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
During the ceremony, Ms. Aisha Rasool, Project Director IMAC and Senior Consultant, Ministry of Law and Justice, highlighted that the programme, conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards of CMC (UK), IMI, and SIMI, forms part of IMAC’s broader vision to develop a highly skilled national cadre of professional mediators and position Pakistan as a country promoting dialogue, peace-building, and effective dispute resolution. She stated that IMAC is building a new generation of professionals who will serve not merely as mediators, but as architects of peace, dialogue, and a more efficient justice system in Pakistan.
She also expressed gratitude to the Hon'ble Chief Guest and acknowledged the continued support of the Ministry of Law and Justice, ADR-ODR International, COMSTECH, and the dedicated IMAC team for their invaluable contribution towards the successful conduct of the programme.
The programme brought together a diverse group of participants, including parliamentarians, judges, judicial officers, legal practitioners, government officials, and professionals from various sectors, thereby further strengthening Pakistan’s emerging ADR ecosystem.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to continue promoting mediation as a faster, more efficient, and collaborative mechanism for dispute resolution across Pakistan. Certificates were distributed among successful participants upon completion of the internationally accredited programme.
