Pre-litigation mediation mechanisms to be made more effective: Minister

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar announced plans to enhance dispute resolution methods before legal proceedings commence. Addressing participants at a five-day training program on Civil, Commercial, and Shariah-Integrated Mediation for Ulema, Tarar emphasized the country's historical reliance on Panchayat and reconciliation within its religious and social traditions.

He highlighted Ulema's potential to play a more significant role in advancing mediation and reconciliation mechanisms. Recognizing the growing importance of mediation worldwide, Tarar stressed that reconciliation is gaining prominence in legal frameworks globally, rooted deeply in Islamic principles. He encouraged Ulema to leverage mediation as a means of social welfare and service.

Currently, government entities are progressively resolving tax-related disputes through mutual reconciliation prior to court involvement, enabling the resolution of numerous tax cases outside the judicial system. Tarar noted that an effective mediation system could resolve matters within weeks that would typically consume years, thereby alleviating the judicial system's case burden.

He further underscored the importance of international cooperation in developing an effective mediation system in Pakistan. The training program, organized in partnership with the OIC Arbitration Centre and IMAC, offers participants an invaluable opportunity to learn international best practices and international mediation expertise.

The government remains committed to supporting the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.