Insights into PIDW 2024: Mian Sheraz Javaid Highlights Key Features of Asia’s Premier Legal and Industrial Event
As the Chair of Pakistan International Dispute Weekend (PIDW), Asia’s Premier Legal and Industrial Event, Mian Sheraz Javaid reflects on the weekend-long event in his article, “A peek behind the Curtain at PIDW: Revealing the voices for 2024”. The article anticipates the second consecutive edition of this unique event, PIDW 2024. Sheraz, as the Chair of PIDW, sheds light on this event and its pivotal role in fostering dialogue, collaboration, and business opportunities within the global legal and industrial landscape.
PIDW, renowned as Asia’s premier forum for discussing international disputes, promises to provide a dynamic platform for exploring key global issues, from technology to trade, investment, culture, and social development. The article delves into the significance of PIDW 2024 as a key event for reviewing, reflecting, and reviving the global dispute terrain, with a robust lineup of expert speakers and panel discussions scheduled over two days.
A Hub for Legal and Business Collaboration
As Sheraz highlights, the most important purpose of PIDW is to create opportunities for cooperation and knowledge sharing between professionals from different sectors. It is an event aimed at building relevant relationships and business connections, initiating a dialogue between the key players in the legal, industrial, and commercial sectors. By offering a chance for networking and expertise sharing, PIDW 2024 will be ready to address the critical legal issues and disputes currently moulding the world's landscape.
Sheraz further pointed out that this event will be filled with different types of panel discussions on very relevant issues such as international trade, investment, social development, and the role of technology in the dispute resolution mechanism. This year's theme actually focuses on how the event wants to serve as a platform to analyse the evolution of global disputes and their mechanisms for resolution.
A Prestigious Event with Esteemed Hosts and Co-hosts
Sheraz highlights the grandeur of the event, PIDW 2024, as being hosted by MK Consultus LLP and TCC ADR Centre. These institutions, known for their expertise in ADR and international law, are co-hosted with several other prominent institutions, including the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb), and the High Court of Sindh. This solidifies the credibility of this event as a leading platform for high-level discussions on global dispute resolution.
Such reputable organizations being involved speaks to the importance of PIDW 2024 in the international legal and business world. Such co-hosts bring their considerable experience and credibility into the events, which will guarantee discussions that will be relevant and effectual for current global challenges in the legal and commercial sectors.
Expert Speakers and Insightful Panels
According to Sheraz, one of the most attractive things about PIDW 2024 is its fabulous lineup of speakers. Professionals across the globe will attend the event, representing an array of disciplines, and are part of a comprehensive program put together for this event. Such speakers will provide their vast expertise and valuable insight into various dimensions of global dispute resolution, such as international trade, among others, up to the very nuances of construction-related disputes.
There are going to be some very lively panels on the first day of PIDW 2024 as they address most of the challenges in the arena of global disputes. The first one is "China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): Constructing the Future, One Resolution a Day" and will look at the high-profile $100 billion infrastructure development. This session, led by UK construction dispute resolution specialist Virginie Colauita, will discuss the issues Pakistani practitioners and subcontractors are facing while dealing with CPEC projects. The panel will address key issues including contract management under FIDIC's Red and Silver Books, focusing on the role of Multi-Tier ADR Clauses and Dispute Boards in proactive dispute settlement.
Exploring International Arbitration with ICC’s Insights
The second panel of the day, “Resolving Disputes Involving State and State Entities under ICC Arbitration: Fairness, Efficiency, and Transparency,” will delve into the complexities of international arbitration, specifically when state-related entities are involved. As highlighted by Sheraz, this discussion will centre on the challenges and opportunities presented by arbitration frameworks like the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), particularly in state-driven initiatives such as CPEC.
Barrister Mian Sheraz Javaid himself will be featured in this panel alongside other international experts, including Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Yuhong WU, and Barrister Mehnaz Malik. The panel will address critical issues related to the fairness, efficiency, and transparency of ICC arbitration in resolving state-related disputes, exploring the practical implications of these issues in global legal and commercial contexts.
Keynote Presentations and Closing Remarks
The first day of PIDW 2024 shall end up in a special session on Singapore Mediation Convention which shall be represented by Raja Naeem Akbar, the Federal Secretary for Ministry of Law & Justice. According to Sheraz this particular session will prove enlightening with each attendee getting full clarity about Singapore Mediation Convention on the dispute resolution framework especially during crossborder mediative efforts.
Closing remarks by the Honourable Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi of the High Court of Sindh, on the themes that will be the takeaways of this event, which will conclude with a keynote address by the Honourable Mr. Justice (Retd) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, former Chief Justice of Pakistan. These distinguished speakers will emphasize the increasing importance of international cooperation in legal affairs and highlight how dispute resolution is a key enabler of global trade and peace.
Day Two: Innovation and Expansion in Dispute Resolution
As narrated by Sheraz in his article, on Day Two of PIDW 2024, it would be a reminder day of the deliberations of the first day, addressed by the Chair of PIDW. The opening addresses would be provided by the high-profile speakers that would include the Honourable Mr. Justice Shafi Siddiqi from the High Court of Sindh and Lt. Gen. Kashif Nazir, Engineer-in-Chief of the Pakistan Engineering Council. Their comments will focus on the increasing importance of construction dispute resolution in Pakistan and the growth of internationally recognized dispute resolution bodies.
On the second day, one of the main highlights is going to be the launch of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation and the Society for Construction Law in Pakistan. According to Sheraz, this is an important step that marks a high level of growth for the improvement of the dispute resolution standard within the construction industry. The event will also feature the launch of the Pakistan Construction Disputes Report (PCDR) 2024, a comprehensive dataset that analyses recurring themes behind construction disputes in Pakistan. This report will provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by the sector and propose solutions for improving dispute resolution practices in the industry.
A Platform for International Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Finally, Sheraz summarizes the overall goals of PIDW 2024. Beyond discussing legal and industrial disputes, the forum is an excellent opportunity for international cooperation and exchange of knowledge. The event fosters interaction between legal experts, business elites, and politicians from all around the world so that they may share their ideas, create new ties, and brainstorm ways to resolve the changing faces of international dispute resolution.
Given its strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, PIDW 2024 is all set to be a transformational event for each participant. Sheraz succinctly puts it this way: The forum will be particularly insightful into future global dispute resolution, leading toward more effective co-operation across borders and sectors.
Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Global Dispute Resolution
Mian Sheraz Javaid’s article provides a comprehensive and detailed preview of PIDW 2024, highlighting the event’s significance as a leading platform for legal and industrial dialogue. With its expert speakers, high-profile panel discussions, and emphasis on international collaboration, PIDW 2024 promises to be a transformative event for all involved in the global legal and commercial sectors.
This article was published in The Nation and can be read here for more details.
