Pakistan’s legal system is overburdened. For citizens facing nearly two million unresolved cases, many of which have been pending for decades, justice often appears costly, cumbersome, and delayed. The judicial framework inherited from the past has struggled to cope with a rapidly growing population and increasingly complex disputes. In this context, arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution are not merely backup mechanisms, they are essential tools for restoring balance to Pakistan’s justice system.

Alternative dispute resolution, which includes mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, aims to resolve conflicts more efficiently than traditional litigation. Its emphasis on communication, compromise, and speed makes it particularly relevant for Pakistan. Under ADR, disputes that would otherwise linger in court for years can be resolved in a significantly shorter time. For an overburdened judiciary, this offers a practical pathway toward quicker and more effective justice delivery.

Arbitration, in particular, plays a strategic role within ADR. Globally, it is recognized as an effective method for resolving commercial disputes, offering the efficiency, neutrality, and confidentiality that businesses require. However, Pakistan has lagged in integrating arbitration into its broader dispute resolution culture. Both domestic and international businesses are increasingly hesitant to........

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