Peshawar – Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday stressed the need to promote mediation as an effective mechanism for resolving disputes, saying dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect were the foundations of lasting peace and justice.
Addressing the closing ceremony of a two-day training workshop organised by the International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Peshawar, as chief guest, the Governor said the growing burden of litigation on courts highlighted the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He said delays in the delivery of justice adversely affected economic growth, investor confidence and social stability, adding that modern mediation systems harmonised Pakistan’s traditional values with contemporary legal requirements.
Governor Kundi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ADR Act 2020 provided a strong legal framework for alternative dispute resolution and called for strengthening mediation mechanisms, particularly in southern districts and the merged tribal areas. He observed that promoting mediation in the merged districts would enhance social harmony and strengthen public trust in institutions. An effective dispute resolution system, he said, would also encourage investment, business activity and good governance.
The Governor said courts and ADR institutions could work together to ensure timely, affordable and accessible justice for citizens. He urged young lawyers, civil servants and academics to become ambassadors of peace, justice and dialogue, emphasising that mediation should be pursued before litigation and dialogue before conflict.
He said promoting a culture of mediation and dialogue was essential for building a peaceful, united and prosperous society and expressed the resolve to make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a model province in people-friendly and efficient dispute resolution.
Governor Kundi appreciated the services of IMAC and the Ministry of Law and Justice for introducing reforms aimed at improving access to justice through ADR.
Referring to regional developments, he said Pakistan had played a constructive role in promoting diplomacy and dialogue during the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran. He said the country, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, actively supported efforts to advance negotiations and facilitate an environment conducive to peace. He said Pakistan’s confidence-building measures and diplomatic engagement had contributed to creating an effective framework for negotiations.
The Governor reaffirmed that Pakistan, as a responsible state, remained committed to promoting peace, stability and dialogue through diplomacy and regional cooperation.
