The International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC), Ministry of Law and Justice, successfully concluded the Two-Day Foundation Training on Mediation at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Peshawar.
The closing ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Ms. Justice Farah Jamshed, Judge, Peshawar High Court, as Chief Guest, alongside Capt. (Retd.) Usman Gul, Director General, NIPA, and Ms. Aisha Rasool, Senior Consultant, Ministry of Law and Justice and Project Director IMAC.
Addressing the participants, Hon’ble Ms. Justice Farah Jamshed emphasized that mediation and courts are complementary mechanisms working towards the common objective of fair, timely, and accessible justice. Her Ladyship observed that many disputes can be resolved effectively through dialogue facilitated by trained and neutral mediators.
She further noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a rich tradition of resolving disputes through dialogue and consensus, and that modern mediation builds upon these traditions while ensuring neutrality, confidentiality, voluntariness, and adherence to constitutional safeguards and the rule of law.
Her Ladyship also shared her personal experience of recently completing the Accredited Mediation Training conducted by IMAC, stating that professional learning and capacity building remain important at every stage of one’s career, including within the judiciary. She encouraged participants to serve as ambassadors of dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution within their institutions and communities.
The training focused on mediation principles, communication and negotiation skills, conflict management, and practical dispute resolution techniques through interactive sessions, simulations, and role plays.
Ms. Aisha Rasool, Senior Consultant, Ministry of Law and Justice and Project Director IMAC, expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, NIPA, PARD, trainers, participants, and the IMAC team for making the programme a success. She highlighted that the initiative forms part of IMAC’s broader national efforts to strengthen access to justice, institutional capacity, and public awareness regarding mediation and ADR. She also acknowledged the continued support and encouragement of the Hon’ble Federal Minister for Law and Justice and the Ministry of Law and Justice in promoting ADR and strengthening mediation initiatives across Pakistan.
She particularly appreciated the participation of professionals from different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed hope that the knowledge and skills acquired during the training would contribute towards promoting dialogue, understanding, and peaceful dispute resolution within society.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Syed Atta ur Rehman, Lead Trainer and former Federal Secretary, highlighted the growing importance of mediation in strengthening access to justice and promoting dialogue-based dispute resolution. He emphasized that mediation helps reduce adversarial conflict and encourages understanding, consensus, and voluntary compliance.
During the ceremony, participants shared reflections on their learning experience and appreciated the training, course content, and arrangements made by NIPA and IMAC for the successful conduct of the programme. They described the initiative as a valuable opportunity for strengthening understanding of mediation as a practical and peaceful dispute resolution mechanism.
The programme brought together civil servants, lawyers, and professionals from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the newly merged districts, to strengthen understanding of mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates among participants.
