MSJ Visits Sindh High Court: Applauds Karachi’s Pivotal Role in Advancing ADR in Pakistan
During the visit, MSJ presented a formal token of gratitude to both the Honorable Justice and the Sindh High Court for their invaluable institutional support and co-hosting of PIDW’24, which recently took place in Karachi. “It was not just a courtesy call,” said MSJ. “It was a moment to formally acknowledge the Honorable Judge’s leadership and the Court’s vital role in putting Pakistan on the global dispute resolution map.”
PIDW’24 Karachi: A Landmark in Legal Conventions
The Pakistan International Disputes Weekend (PIDW’24), co-hosted by the High Court of Sindh, was a landmark event in Pakistan’s legal calendar. Held in the commercial capital of the country, the event saw a robust turnout from across Pakistan and abroad, bringing together arbitrators, mediators, judges, diplomats, corporate leaders, and legal scholars. The scale and sophistication of the event were unmatched, and the feedback from international participants was overwhelmingly positive.
At the heart of this success was the role of Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, who served as the focal person from the judiciary to ensure the smooth planning and execution of the event. “Without his proactive engagement and his vision for strengthening ADR in Pakistan, the event would not have reached the level of professionalism and impact that it did,” said MSJ.
A City Receptive to ADR
In his remarks, MSJ praised Karachi’s increasing receptivity to ADR, noting that both the legal fraternity and the business community have shown a deep appreciation for the efficiency, neutrality, and international compatibility that ADR mechanisms bring.
“As Pakistan’s economic powerhouse, Karachi is not just suited to ADR—it is primed for it,” he emphasized. “The city’s commercial vibrancy, its legal expertise, and its openness to progressive legal reform make it an ideal hub for international arbitration and mediation.”
Indeed, the business community’s embrace of ADR in Karachi was evident during PIDW, where participation from major corporates, chambers of commerce, and multinational legal advisors showcased the city’s eagerness to play a lead role in shaping Pakistan’s ADR future.
Judicial Champions for Legal Reform
Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, who has long been involved in promoting judicial reform, is a key figure within the Law and Justice Commission’s ADR Committee, a federal body working to institutionalize dispute resolution across Pakistan. His support for PIDW’24 aligns with his broader commitment to transforming dispute resolution from a courtroom-only approach to a diversified, structured, and time-efficient system.
MSJ described the Honorable Justice as “a judicial reformer whose support goes beyond ceremonial endorsements—his strategic insight and actionable backing have helped create real momentum behind ADR across Sindh.”
This level of judicial participation is essential, MSJ noted, for shifting the perception of ADR from being ‘alternative’ to ‘mainstream’—especially in high-stakes, cross-border, and infrastructure disputes.
Strengthening Institutional ADR Capacity
As the Chair of CIArb Pakistan Branch, MSJ has been at the forefront of training arbitrators, mediators, adjudicators, and engineers, creating a pipeline of professionals aligned with global best practices. During his visit, he emphasized that Karachi’s growing adoption of ADR should now evolve into specialized applications, including construction, energy, public-private partnerships, international trade, and financial disputes.
He urged legal institutions and corporate boards in Karachi to invest in capacity-building, partner with global arbitration centers, and adopt pre-dispute mechanisms like Dispute Boards, NEC-style contracts, and expert determination clauses to foster a culture of prevention rather than cure.
He also stressed the need for institutionalization of ADR training within bar councils, judicial academies, and engineering institutions. “This must be a national movement, and Karachi is leading by example,” he said.
The Way Forward: Karachi as a Regional ADR Powerhouse
With PIDW’24 setting a high bar and the Sindh High Court reaffirming its commitment to ADR, MSJ projected a bold future: “Karachi can become the Singapore of South Asia for dispute resolution—a neutral, competent, and trusted venue for regional and international disputes.”
He outlined plans to further expand CIArb’s presence in Karachi, establish permanent ADR centers, and integrate ADR modules into university and professional curricula. These efforts, he said, will ensure that the momentum sparked by PIDW’24 is not just maintained, but amplified.
Conclusion: A Tribute to Vision and Partnership
The visit concluded with a mutual expression of respect and vision. MSJ thanked the judiciary, the legal community, and the people of Karachi for embracing ADR as a forward-looking solution to Pakistan’s dispute resolution challenges.
“Events like PIDW are not one-offs—they are part of a larger architecture for legal transformation,” said MSJ. “And with partners like the High Court of Sindh and judicial leaders like Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, the path forward looks promising.”
