Pakistan plans to expand mediation reforms to ease court burden: Barrister Aqeel

Pakistan is preparing legal reforms to strengthen its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, including mandatory mediation for certain categories of disputes, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said on Thursday

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jul, 2026) Pakistan is preparing legal reforms to strengthen its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, including mandatory mediation for certain categories of disputes, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said on Thursday.

Speaking at a seminar titled "The Prophetic Art of Peacemaking: Negotiation, Mediation and Sulah in islam for the Modern World" in Islamabad, Malik said promoting 'Sulah' (reconciliation) requires a collective national effort involving the judiciary, legal profession, academia, religious scholars, civil society, businesses and the media, said a press release.

The seminar, organized by the Ministry of Law and Justice through the International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC), brought together judges, lawyers, religious scholars, ADR practitioners and academics to discuss the role of Islamic principles in modern dispute resolution.

Malik said many disputes could be resolved through dialogue and mediation instead of prolonged litigation, helping reduce the burden on courts. He urged religious scholars to promote the culture of reconciliation among younger generations.

The minister said the government was considering reforms that would make mediation mandatory in specified categories of disputes as part of efforts to strengthen Pakistan's justice system.

Referring to recent regional tensions involving the United States and Iran, Malik said dialogue and peaceful engagement remain the most effective means of resolving conflicts at both the national and international levels.

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He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Martial Syed Asim Munir and other state institutions for supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions, and commended the media for promoting ADR initiatives.

Acting Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwer said Pakistan's constitutional framework requires laws to remain consistent with the Quran and Sunnah, adding that Islamic teachings provide enduring principles of justice, dialogue and reconciliation. He urged religious scholars and community leaders to promote reconciliation through mosques and local communities.

Federal Secretary for Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar said the principles of modern mediation are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, citing the Quranic injunction, "And reconciliation is best."

The seminar also featured technical sessions on the Prophetic model of negotiation, faith-based mediation, public policy and legal reforms aimed at institutionalizing mediation and Sulah in Pakistan.

The event concluded with IMAC Project Director Aisha Rasool expressing hope that the discussions would encourage greater collaboration among stakeholders to promote peaceful dispute resolution across the country.