Event Schedule

Mark your calendars! The much-anticipated Pakistan International Disputes Weekend (PIDW) is returning bigger and better in May 2024. Preparations are well underway, and we're excited to bring you a program packed with insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities.

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:

  • Rich Doctrinal Debates: Engage in stimulating discussions on key topics in dispute resolution.
  • Global Best Practices: Gain valuable insights from leading experts on cutting-edge ADR practices worldwide.
  • Renowned Speakers: Learn from the best as renowned dispute resolution pioneers share their expertise.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect and build lasting relationships with colleagues from across the industry.

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Day 1 - Saturday 11th May

09:45 am – 10:00 am

Opening Speech

Barrister Mian Sheraz Javaid

Chair, Pakistan International Disputes Weekend

10:00 AM - 11:10 AM pm

Panel No.1 CPEC - Constructing the future, one resolution a day

Moderator

Virginie Colaiuta

Partner, LMS Legal, London, United Kingdom.

Navigating CPEC Construction Disputes with the 2 E’s Efficacy and Efficiency

Speakers

Mr. Zubair Ajaz

Chief Executive Officer, Astral Constructors, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Not Chinese or Pakistanis: The requirement for Neutral nationals CPEC disputes

Mr. Faisal Daudpota

Partner, Daudpota International, Karachi, Pakistan.

Dispute Resolution under the 1998 Energy Charter Treaty.

Mr. Haider Waheed

Founding Partner, HWP Law Karachi, Pakistan.

The steps before Arbitration and litigation: Harnessing Multi-Tier ADR Clauses and Dispute Boards in CPEC Construction Projects.

Mr. Charles Brown

Managing Partner, Charles Brown & Company, London, United Kingdom.

Paving the Path: Proactive Dispute Management in the CPEC Construction Projects

Honorable Mr. Justice Shakeel Ahmad

Judge Peshawar High Court Peshawar, Pakistan.

Integrating dispute avoidance in Pakistan’s court system.

11:10 am – 11:25 am

Tea & Coffee Break

11:25 am - 12:35 pm

Panel No.2 Resolving disputes involving State and State Entities under ICC Arbitration: Fairness, Efficiency and Transparency

Moderator

Dr. Zhang Anran

Deputy Director ADR and Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) North Asia, Shanghai, China

Understanding the Complexity of State and State Entities Disputes

Speakers

Mr. Mian Sheraz Javaid

Barrister, No5 Barristers Chambers, London, United Kingdom.

The Role of ICC Arbitration in Resolving Disputes

Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi

Partner, Ahmer Bilal Soofi & Co, Lahore, Pakistan.

Case Studies of Large Infrastructure and Construction Projects in Pakistan

Mr. Yuhong WU

Managing Partner, Deheng Law Firm, Chengdu. Vice-President, Chengdu Lawyers Association, Shanghai, China.

Exploring the Fairness, Efficiency, and Transparency of ICC Arbitration

Ms. Mehnaz Malik

Barrister, Twenty Essex Chambers London, United Kingdom.

Observation of Pakistan related disputes in international arbitration those involving State as a party or State entities, major characteristics, practical experience.

Mr. Justice Mohammad Abdur Rahman

Honorable Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

The Judicial Perspective on the Enforcement of ICC Awards

12:35 pm - 01:30 pm

Lunch Break

01:35 pm - 01:45 pm

Innovation Showcase:

The Arbitration Act 2024

Presented by Barrister Mian Sheraz Javaid, Chair Ciarb Pakistan Branch.

01:45 pm - 03:00 pm

Panel No. 3 - Mediation is the new black

Moderator

Navin Merchant

Senior Partner at Merchant Law Associates, Karachi, Pakistan.

Development of Mediation in Pakistan Since 2006 and Rethinking the Strategy Going Forward.

Speakers

Ms. Nudrat Paracha

Partner, Samdani & Qureshi, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Private and international ADR centre: role and impact

Mr. Shahan Karimi

Partner, Haidermota & Co, Karachi, Pakistan

The Pivotal Role of Courts in Advancing Mediation.

Mr. Omer Memon

Partner, Mohsin Tayyebaly & Co, Karachi, Pakistan.

Imperatives of an ADR Centre: Role and Impact

Ms. Haya Zahid

Chief Executive Officer, Legal Aid Society, Karachi, Pakistan.

Building Blocks of a Sustainable Mediation Ecosystem

Honourable Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan

Honorable Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan.

Examining the existing legislative framework supporting mediation and potential areas for improvement

Honorable Mr. Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar

Honorable Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

The Appointment of Neutrals in the Islamabad High Court and Sindh High Court A Progressive Path Forward?

03:00 PM - 03:10 PM

Innovation Showcase:

The Court-Annexed Mediation Center & The Sindh ADR Act 2024

Presented by By: Mr. Muhammad Shahid Shafiq, Sindh Judicial Academy.

Mr. Sabghatullah Patoli, Incharge CAMC , High Court of Sindh.

Mrs. Sadaf Abbas, Mediator at CAMC , High Court of Sindh.

03:10 PM - 04:20 PM

Panel No.4 The Pillars of Prosperity: Unveiling the Judiciary’s Role in Economic Growth and Development

Moderator

Honorable Mr. Justice (Retd.) Shahid Jamil Khan

Retired Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan.

Rule of Law and Economic Stability: Discussing how the judiciary’s enforcement of the rule of law contributes to economic stability.

Speakers

Honorable Mr. Justice Asim Hafeez

Honorable Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan.

Investor Confidence and Judicial Decisions: Exploring the impact of judicial decisions on domestic and foreign investor confidence.

Honorable Mr. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurengzeb

Honorable Judge, Islamabad High Court, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Judicial Reforms and Economic Development: Understanding the correlation between judicial reforms and economic development

Honorable Mr. Justice Arshad Ali

Honorable Judge, Peshawar High Court, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Overcoming frivolous litigation: Use of admin courts and cost consequences and sanctions.

Honorable Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

Honorable Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

Dispute Resolution and Economic Progress: Analyzing the role of the judiciary in ADR and its implications for economic progress

Honorable Mr. Justice Ali Baig

Honorable Chief Justice Gilgit Baltistan High Court, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan.

Recommendations for Pakistan to enhance Economic Development from a Judicial Perspective

04:20 PM - 04:35 PM

Tea & Coffee Break

04:35 PM - 04:45 PM

Innovation Showcase:

From the Judge’s Bench: Exploring ADR in Criminal Justice

Presented by Honorable Mr. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir - Honorable Judge, Islamabad High Court.

04:45 PM - 05:55 PM

Panel No.5 Clearing the Courtroom Clutter

Moderator

Honorable Mr. Justice (Retd.) Mushir Alam

Retired Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Pakistan's Domestic Arbitration Act: Forward thinking Effects and the Next Step after Codification

Speakers

Honorable Mr. Justice Shafi Siddiqi

Honorable Senior Puisne Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Domestic Arbitration: A discussion on the potential obstacles in promoting domestic arbitration and how we can overcome them.

Honorable Mr. Justice Attique Shah

Honorable Judge, Peshawar High Court, Peshawar, Pakistan.

An oversight imperative: Does separate authority for governing ADR and Arbitration is required in Pakistan?

Honourable Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan

Honorable Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan.

Exploring the ambits of ADR Provisions in CPC Order IX: the importance of training lower judiciary for the implementation of Order IX.

Honorable Mr. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir

Honorable Judge Islamabad High Court, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Training and Accreditation for Arbitrators: Importance of professional development for arbitrators, including the need for ongoing training and accreditation.

Honorable Mr. Justice Muhammad Ejaz Swati

Honorable Judge Balochistan High Court, Quetta, Pakistan.

Potential Impact of the New Arbitration Act and need of institutional arbitration in Pakistan.

Honorable Mr. Justice Syed Shahid Bahar

Honorable Judge, AJ&K High Court, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Pakistan

Building Trust in Domestic Arbitration: Cultivating Confidence in ADR Mechanisms

06:00 PM - 06:10 PM

Innovation Showcase:

Presentation on Singapore Mediation Convention

Presented by Raja Naeem Akbar, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, Pakistan

06:10 PM - 06:25 PM

Innovation Showcase:

Launch of Dispute Resolution Board Foundation,Society of Construction Law & Pakistan Construction Disputes Report in Pakistan

Presented by Muhammad Arslan, Asian Development Bank Dr. Farrukh Arif, NED University of Engineering & Technology Bakhtawar Bilal Soofi, ABS & Co.

06:25 PM - 06:45 PM

Innovation Showcase:

Launch of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) ADR Centre

Presented by Najeeb Haroon, Chairman PEC Gen. Retd. Shahid Niaz, PEC Barrister Raheel Ahmed, PEC

Comments

Syed Asif Hyder Shah

Chief Secretary Sindh

Keynote Speeches

Honorable Chief Justice Mr. Justice Ali Baig

Chief Court of Gilgit Baltistan

Honorable Mr. Justice (Retd) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani

Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

Closing Speeches

Honorable Mr. Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi

Honorable Chief Justice, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

Inauguration of the PEC ADR Centre

Excellence Awards for Legal Compliance

Souvenir Distribution Ceremony

Day 2 - Sunday 12th May

09:40 AM - 10:00 AM

Opening Speech

Barrister Mian Sheraz Javaid

Chair, Pakistan International Disputes Weekend

Mr. Muhammad Najeeb Haroon

Chairman, Pakistan Engineering Council, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Honorable Mr. Justice Shafi Siddiqi

Honorable Senior Puisne Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

10:10 AM - 11:20 AM

Panel No.1 Avoidance precedes resolution: Entering an era of dispute avoidance

Moderator

Mr. Arran Dowling Hussey

Practitioner at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers, Junior Vice Chairman, Adjudication Society, London, United Kingdom.

Constructing Consensus: The Efficacy of Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Boards (DAABs) in Construction Contracts

Speakers

Mr. Ijaz Ahmed

Partner, Ijaz Ahmed & Associates, Karachi, Pakistan.

Oil and Gas Contracts: The Impact of Multi-Tier Dispute Resolution Clauses

Mr. Shahab Sarki

Partner, Nuruddin Sarki & Co Karachi, Pakistan.

The Evolution and Impact of Dispute Avoidance Adjudication Boards

Mr. Salman Iqbal Bawaney

Partner, Bawaney & Partners, Karachi, Pakistan.

The Effectiveness of Dispute Avoidance Mechanisms in Listed Securities Trading Market and the Mutual Fund Industry of Pakistan

Mr. Ghulam Abbass Chopa

Registrar, Gilgit Baltistan Cheif Court, Giglgit Baltistan, Pakistan.

Harnessing Harmony: Risk Management Strategies for Dispute Avoidance in Energy Sector

Honorable Mr. Mr. Justice Ijaz Anwar

Senior Puisne Judge Peshawar High Court Peshawar, Pakistan.

Integrating dispute avoidance in Pakistan’s court system.

11:20 AM - 11:30 AM

Innovation Showcase:

ADR in the domain of taxation

Presented by Honorable Mr Justice Junaid Ghaffar

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Tea & Coffee Break

11:45 AM - 12:55 PM

Panel No.2 Power Play: The Dynamics of International Energy, Power & Gas Disputes

Moderator

Ms. Leonora Riesenburg

4 - 5 Gray's Inn Square, Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator, Certified ADR Practitioner, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Resolving Energy Disputes – Lessons from global best practices.

Speakers

Mr. Muhammad Sheikh Ali

Managing Partner, Rasikh Conselium, Lahore, Pakistan.

Legal Frameworks Governing Energy Disputes: examining international laws and treaties that govern energy disputes and how their application.

Mr. Ayan Memon

Partner, Abid S Zuberi | Ayan M Memon Law Associates, Karachi, Pakistan.

Future Trends in Energy Disputes: Pakistan in Power Play.

Mr. Qasim Wadud

Partner, Legal Oracles, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Case-laws from around the world: Lessons for Pakistan.

Shahid Ali Khan

Legal Consultant, Asian Development Bank Trade & Supply Chain, Muzaffargarh, Pakistan.

Creating a conducive environment for globally funded projects in Pakistan: Way forward.

Honorable Mr. Justice Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan

Honorable Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

The Judicial Opinion - Navigating Energy Disputes in Pakistan.

12:55 PM - 01:45 PM

Lunch Break

01:45 PM - 01:55 PM

Innovation Showcase:

Concept of ADR Islamic Jurisprudence

Presented By: Mr. Suhail Muhammad Leghari, Registrar, High Court of Sindh

01:55 PM - 03:05 PM

Panel No.3 Charting the Course: Addressing Stakeholder Challenges in Pakistan's Vital Industries

Moderator

Mr. Noor ul Aqtab Siddiqi

Director, Tower Bridge Legal, London, United Kingdom.

Constructive Dispute Resolution: Addressing Legal Impediments Faced by Pakistan's Construction Sector

Speakers

Mr. Muhammad Najeeb Haroon

Chairman, Pakistan Engineering Council, Islamabad, Pakistan.

The Role of Engineering Regulatory Bodies: Limits and De-limits of the policiy frameworks in Pakistan.

Maria Rafique

Chief Legal Officer, National Transmission and Despatch Company, Lahore, Pakistan.

Empowering Resolution: Strategies for Dispute Avoidance in the Power Sector

Mr. Asim SUM SUM

Chairman ABAD

Role of Construction Sector in boosting the Economy of Pakistan

Mr. Rashid Mureed

Partner, Cepal & Co, Karachi, Pakistan.

Emerging disputes in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sector: progression and challenges.

Honorable Mr. Justice Asim Hafeez

Honorable Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan.

The Role of effective dispute resolution in Enhancing Pakistan's Industrial Sector

03:10 PM - 03:20 PM

Innovation Showcase:

Asia MENA ADR Cooperative Group (AMACG)

Presented by TCC ADR Centre

03:20 PM - 04:30 PM

Panel No.4 The ADR Confluence: Steering the Future ofDispute Resolution in Asia MENA

Moderator

Mr. Mian Sheraz Javaid

Chair, TCC ADR Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.

A New Era of Collaboration: Asia MENA ADR Cooperative Group

Speakers

Ms. Ayşe Tuğba Özkarslıgil

Director, Energy Dispute Resolution Centre, Ankara, Turkey.

Progressing ADR: Strategies and Roadmaps

Mr. Umar Azmeh Malik

Registrar, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, Doha, Qatar

Exchange of Panel Roasters: Learning from Each Other Highlighting the benefits of exchanging panel roasters among different countries, such as cross-fertilization of ideas and harmonization of practices.

Mr. Khurram Khan

Partner, Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota Legal Consultants Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Development of ADR: Past, Present, and Future. Tracing the development of ADR in the region, discussing current trends, and envisioning future trajectories.

Mr. Robert Swilnsky

Chair, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) UAE Branch, Counsel & Chartered Arbitrator, Dubai & London

ADR Capacity Building: Training and Education Discussing the role of training and education in enhancing ADR capacity in the region – cross border trainings.

Mr. Saad Hegazy

Partner, Resolve International Doha, Qatar.

Development of ADR: Past, Present, and Future. Tracing the development of ADR in the region, discussing current trends, and envisioning future trajectories.

04:30 PM - 04:40 PM

The Role and Support of the Bar Councils and Bar Associations across Pakistan for PIDW

Presented by Rehan Malik, President Sindh High Court Bar Association. Barrister Sarfaraz Ali Metlo, Secretary General, Sindh High Court Bar Association

04:40 PM - 04:55 PM

Tea & Coffee Break

04:55 PM - 06:05 PM

Panel No.5 Resolution to revenue: how ADR shapes Foreign direct investment

Moderator

Duncan Bagshaw

Partner, Howard Kennedy, London, United Kingdom.

Symphony between ADR and FDI Explaining the direct proportionality between ADR and FDI inflows

Speakers

Mr. Shahbakht Pirzada

Partner, RIAA Barker Gillette, Karachi, Pakistan.

ADR Around the World: An FDI perspective in comparing global ADR practices in FDI.

Mr. Kevin Nash

Registrar, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Singapore.

Development of ADR: Past, Present, and Future. Tracing the development of ADR in the region, discussing current trends, and envisioning future trajectories.

Mr. Ishrat Hussain

Ex-Governor, State Bank of Pakistan Karachi, Pakistan

Analyzing Pakistan’s investment stature through projects such as CPEC: Making a conducive environment for foreign investment.

Hasan Mandviwalla

Partner, Partner at Mandviwalla & Zafar Karachi, Pakistan.

The Effectivity of our Legal Landscape in attracting foreign direct investment.

Honorable Mr. Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed

Honorable Judge, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

What Initiatives should the Government take in providing effecient ADR Mechanisms that leads to Increasing FDI in Pakistan

06:05 PM - 06:15 PM

Innovation Showcase:

The Ciarb Pakistan Branch:

Two year Anniversary in Pakistan

Presented by Ciarb Pakistan Branch

Keynote Speeches

Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi

Vice-Chancellor NED - University of Engineering & Technology

Honorable Cheif Justice Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan

Chief Court of Gilgit Baltistan

Closing Speeches

Honorable Mr. Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi

Honorable Chief Justice, Sindh High Court, Karachi, Pakistan.

Souvenir Distribution Ceremony