PESHAWAR: The participants of a workshop have said that dispute resolution councils are instrumental in reducing conflicts at community level.

The workshop was organised by Peace and Justice Network (PJN) in partnership with UNDP Pakistan and police to develop an action plan for strengthening dispute resolution councils (DRCs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said a statement.

Held under the European Union-funded deliver justice project, the workshop brought together stakeholders from across the region including DRC members from Peshawar and Khyber.

Syed Raza Ali, the head of Peace and Justice Network, said that strengthening DRCs was critical for ensuring that justice was accessible, efficient and inclusive, particularly for marginalised groups. He said that DRCs had the potential to bring justice closer to people, reducing burden on formal courts and fostering trust within communities.

SSP Mohammad Waqas Khan said that as alternative dispute resolution mechanism, DRCs were instrumental in reducing conflicts at community level. “Strengthening their operational capacity is essential to maintain social harmony and address disputes efficiently,” he added.

UNDP’s Salma Zeb said DRCs must address the needs of all community members including women, minorities and other vulnerable groups. “Inclusivity is at the heart of sustainable justice and peace,” she added.

Nayyab Ali, transgender rights advocate and head of Islamabad police gender cell, said that DRCs should actively engage marginalised groups including transgender persons to build trust and ensure equitable access to justice. “Their participation strengthens the inclusivity and legitimacy of justice process,” she added.

Peshawar CCPO Qasim Ali Khan lauded the efforts of DRC members. “DRC is a highly transparent and active institution dedicated to delivering justice and addressing the everyday challenges faced by the community,” he said.

He said that DRCs, as a legally supported alternative dispute resolution mechanism, successfully formalised and enhanced the traditional jirga system, which significantly helped in mitigating community problems and conflicts.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025