PESHAWAR, Feb 13 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday emphasized that promoting a reconciliation and mediation system in southern districts and newly merged districts would not only reduce the burden on courts but also strengthen sustainable peace, social harmony and the investment climate in the province.
He expressed these views while addressing a two-day mediation training programme as chief guest at the National Institute of Public Administration, organized by the International Mediation and Arbitration Centre under the auspices of the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The training programme was attended by civil servants, lawyers, business community members and educationists from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Governor later distributed certificates among the participants of the course.
On the occasion, Director General Captain (Retd) Usman Gul and Project Director Ayesha Rasool briefed the Governor about the objectives and outcomes of the training programme. The Governor also planted a sapling in the institute’s lawn.
Addressing the ceremony, Governor Kundi said the Jirga system in the region had historically served as a means of resolving disputes based on mutual respect and collective wisdom.
He said modern mediation, supported by constitutional safeguards, impartiality and confidentiality, further strengthens this tradition in line with contemporary legal standards.
He clarified that mediation and reconciliation were not substitutes for traditional practices but rather their harmonization with modern legal frameworks.
Referring to global trends, he said alternative dispute resolution mechanisms were increasingly being adopted worldwide to ensure timely settlement of disputes. He stressed the need to promote similar models in Pakistan.
The Governor said the proposed amendments to the ADR Act, including making pre-trial mediation mandatory in certain cases, were a farsighted step that would allow parties to resolve disputes amicably before entering prolonged litigation.
He said that the newly merged districts were passing through a historic transitional phase and mediation could serve as a strong bridge to maintain social cohesion while strengthening the constitutional system.