“Mediation is the New Black”

At the Pakistan International Disputes Weekend (PIDW) 2024, Dr. Nudrat E. Piracha participated as a distinguished speaker in Panel 03 titled “Mediation is the New Black.”

During the session, Dr. Piracha shared valuable insights on the role and impact of private and international ADR centres, highlighting their growing importance in strengthening dispute resolution frameworks in Pakistan and beyond.

The panel was moderated by Navin Merchant, Senior Partner at Merchant Law Associates, and explored the evolution of mediation in Pakistan since 2006, while also rethinking strategies for its future development.

Distinguished Panelists

The session brought together leading practitioners and judicial voices, including:

• Nudrat E. Piracha, Partner at Samdani Qureshi Aqlaal (SQA) and CEO ICADRP, discussing the role and impact of private and international ADR centres.
• Shahan Karimi, Partner at Haidermota & Co., highlighting the pivotal role of lawyers in advancing mediation.
• Omer Memon, Partner at Mohsin Tayebaly & Co., shedding light on the imperatives and institutional role of ADR centres.
• Haya Zahid, Chief Executive Officer at Legal Aid Society, exploring the foundations of a sustainable mediation ecosystem.
• Justice Jawad Hassan, Judge at Lahore High Court, examining the legislative framework supporting mediation and identifying areas for reform.
• Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, Judge at Sindh High Court, discussing the progressive path forward in the appointment of neutrals.

Key Takeaway

The discussion underscored the transformative potential of mediation in Pakistan, emphasising the need for stronger institutional support, progressive legal frameworks, and active engagement by practitioners, courts, and ADR centres to build a sustainable and effective dispute resolution ecosystem.