An important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the OIC Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC) and the International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC), an institution established under the Ministry of Law & Justice, to promote the resolution of disputes through mediation and conciliation in Pakistan’s justice system.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar and Dr. Umar A. Oseni, Secretary General, OIC Arbitration Centre, during the concluding ceremony of the five-day training programme on Civil, Commercial and Shariah-Integrated Mediation.
Under the MoU, the two institutions will establish long-term cooperation in the fields of mediation, arbitration, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and dispute prevention, while promoting the exchange of knowledge, information, publications and professional expertise.
The agreement provides for collaboration on capacity-building programmes, conferences, seminars, webinars, lectures and other activities of mutual interest.
The MoU also provides for cooperation in identifying and recommending suitably qualified mediators and arbitrators, strengthening professional networks and facilitating institutional support for mutually agreed activities.
The partnership aims to promote effective and internationally aligned mediation and arbitration mechanisms in Pakistan and across the wider OIC region, while contributing to a stronger culture of peaceful, effective and cost-efficient dispute resolution.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that cooperation of this nature between Pakistan and international partners would further strengthen international linkages in the fields of mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
He said Pakistan was committed to advancing purposeful and unique partnerships with its friends and international partners, adding that such partnerships would help strengthen the mediation framework in Pakistan while creating new opportunities for cooperation at the global level.
The Federal Minister said the scope of mediation and conciliation in Pakistan was being expanded and cooperation with international institutions and partners in this field would be further strengthened.
Dr. Umar A. Oseni, Secretary General, OIC Arbitration Centre, said the MoU between OIC-AC and IMAC reflected the commitment of the two institutions to taking their existing cooperation to the global level.
He said the five-day training programme for religious scholars, integrating civil, financial and Shariah-aligned mediation principles into a comprehensive training framework, represented a unique model that had generated international interest.
Dr. Umar A. Oseni said OIC Arbitration Centre and IMAC would work together to further develop the model and explore its promotion in different countries.
The MoU is expected to strengthen professional networks, institutional capacity and international cooperation in mediation and arbitration, while creating a conducive environment for effective and peaceful dispute resolution in Pakistan and across the wider OIC region.
