Supreme Court Advocate and constitutional and commercial law expert Hafiz Ahsan Ahmed Khokhar has stated that the establishment of a Federal Commercial Court has become a fundamental necessity for Pakistan’s economic growth, the promotion of foreign investment, and the speedy and transparent resolution of commercial disputes.
Establishment of Federal Commercial Court imperative for Pakistan’s economy, investment promotion: Hafiz Ahsan Ahmed
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Supreme Court Advocate and constitutional and commercial law expert Hafiz Ahsan Ahmed Khokhar has stated that the establishment of a Federal Commercial Court has become a fundamental necessity for Pakistan’s economic growth, the promotion of foreign investment, and the speedy and transparent resolution of commercial disputes.
According to him, the creation of this court through an amendment to Article 212-A of the Constitution could prove to be a major milestone in the country’s economy.
In an interview, Khokhar said that a country’s economic strength does not rely solely on natural resources or investment incentives, but also on the efficiency and transparency of its judicial system and the timely resolution of commercial disputes.
He noted that the proposal to establish a Federal Commercial Court by amending Article 212-A of the Constitution—discussed during a recent meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan—is a far-reaching and revolutionary step. This initiative, he said, will restore investor confidence and further stabilize the business environment in Pakistan.
Hafiz Ahsan Ahmed Khokhar stated that if Pakistan aspires to become a hub for trade and investment in the region, it must adopt a modern commercial judicial system. He emphasized that specialized courts with expertise are indispensable for handling cases related to international trade agreements, banking, financial matters, energy projects, corporate disputes, digital commerce, public-private partnerships, and foreign investment.
He pointed out that several countries around the world, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, have successfully gained investor trust through specialized commercial courts. Pakistan, he added, can significantly enhance its appeal for international investment by establishing a Federal Commercial Court on a similar pattern.
Khokhar suggested that the proposed Federal Commercial Court should be granted exclusive jurisdiction over international trade agreements, foreign investment, banking, corporate disputes, mergers, energy and infrastructure projects, construction contracts, insurance, intellectual property, digital commerce, competition laws, and arbitration-related cases.
He urged the federal government to expeditiously table the proposed constitutional amendment bill in Parliament, followed by comprehensive legislation concerning the court’s jurisdiction, powers, procedures, and the appointment of judges. He also recommended introducing modern digital systems within the court, such as electronic filing, online hearings, restricted adjournments, and fixed timeframes for delivering judgments.
He maintained that the establishment of the Federal Commercial Court will improve contract enforcement, reduce the cost of doing business, and boost exports, industry, banking, private investment, and public-private partnerships, while also improving Pakistan’s global investment and business rankings.
Concluding his remarks, Khokhar said that the Federal Commercial Court will not merely be a new judicial forum, but an essential constitutional and institutional pillar for Pakistan’s economic transformation, the rule of law, commercial predictability, and sustainable national development.
