KARACHI: Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, on Wednesday discussed upcoming legislative reforms set to reshape the country’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) landscape.

He highlighted the introduction of a new arbitration law, which will replace the outdated 1940 legislation, aiming to minimise court interference and create a more efficient dispute resolution framework.

He was speaking at a seminar on ADR at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi on Wednesday.

Titled “The Way Forward for the ADR Movement in Pakistan”, the event was organised by the ADR International Center at IBA, in collaboration with the Malaysian International Mediation Centre (MIMC), according to a press release issued by the IBA.

Justice Shah also commended IBA’s efforts in ADR training, recognising its role in promoting ADR education.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Jawad Hasan of the Lahore High Court highlighted Pakistan’s recent progress in institutionalising ADR, particularly in state-owned enterprises.

He highlighted a significant legal development where Section 134 was amended to mandate mediation for state-owned enterprises, eliminating the option for appeals.

This marked a groundbreaking shift in Pakistan’s legal landscape, positioning the country ahead of many Western nations, including the UK and US, where ADR remains voluntary, and consent-based.

IBA’s Executive Director Dr S. Akbar Zaidi welcomed Justice Shah and Justice Hasan.

He acknowledged Justice Shah’s transformative influence on his perspective regarding ADR, recognising him as a strong advocate and a pioneer in ADR and climate justice.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2025