Karachi, May, 2024: The Center for Executive Education (CEE) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi hosted a seminar on ‘The Mediator’s Magic: Transforming Conflict into Collaboration’ at the IBA City Campus. Distinguished guests and participants from the judiciary, corporate sector, academia, and international institutions attended the event.
The seminar delved into the transformative power of mediation in resolving conflicts and fostering collaboration in diverse settings. Eminent speakers and panelists from various sectors shared their insights and experiences on the significance of mediation in today’s world. The event commenced with a welcome address by Kamran Bilgrami, Director IBA-CEE, followed by a welcome address by Justice (R) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Dr. Ishrat Husain, Professor Emeritus, IBA, delivered the keynote address on ‘The Power of Mediation in Conflict Resolution,’ discussing the significance of mediation and the role of IBA in promoting its use.
Special addresses by Zmarak Khan, Chief Legal Counsel, CLDP and Siddharth Jha Counsel, SIMC focused on ‘US Government Support and International Mediation Landscape, and Prospects for Pakistan.’ The seminar also featured a discussion on ‘Mediation in Pakistan – Future Prospects,’ with insights shared by esteemed judges, and a panel discussion moderated by SIMI Qualified Mediator, Syed Bulent Sohail, explored ‘The Landscape of Mediation.’
Justice Junaid Ghaffar gave the closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of fostering mediation skills for a more peaceful society. Muhammad Sohail, CEO Topline Securities, delivered the vote of thanks. The seminar concluded with a networking reception.
About IBA-DRF:
Based on the Harvard Negotiation Project, the IBA Dispute Resolution Forum (IBA-DRF) at the Center for Executive Education (CEE), was established in 2019, to offer alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services to relieve the burden on Pakistan’s court system. The ADR at IBA-CEE aims to be focused towards promoting ADR mechanisms for domestic and international disputes, training, research, and advocacy. The ADR project is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC), High Courts of Sindh, Islamabad & Lahore, FBR, SBP, PSX, FBR & SECP. The ADR at IBA has the potential to improve Pakistan’s legal and commercial landscape by: Reducing the court case backlog and expediting dispute resolution; Providing government, enterprises, and businesses with cost-effective solutions to their disputes; Establishing Pakistan as a leader in promoting international ADR and Paving the way for Pakistan’s accession to the Singapore Convention on Mediation. The IBA will achieve these goals by investing in research, advocacy, and capacity building for Pakistani professionals by establishing a strong panel of qualified trainers, experts, mediators, and arbitrators.
