ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar represented Pakistan at the Law, Justice and Development (LJD) Forum 2026, held at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he highlighted the country's ongoing legal and judicial reforms as key drivers of economic growth, investor confidence and institutional strengthening. The forum brought together more than 40 ministers and senior legal leaders from around the …
Azam Nazeer Tarar highlights Pakistan’s judicial reforms at World Bank forum in Washington
ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar represented Pakistan at the Law, Justice and Development (LJD) Forum 2026, held at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he highlighted the country’s ongoing legal and judicial reforms as key drivers of economic growth, investor confidence and institutional strengthening.
The forum brought together more than 40 ministers and senior legal leaders from around the world to discuss ways to mobilize private investment, strengthen institutions and promote economic growth through legal and justice reforms.
On the first day, the minister addressed the financial sector session of the Ministerial Roundtable titled “What Legal Reforms Are Required to Mobilize Private Capital?” He emphasized that private investment depended on confidence, which could be strengthened through the prompt, fair and predictable enforcement of contracts.
Senator Tarar also participated in Leadership Lounge discussions with fellow ministers, exchanging views on commercial disputes, judicial reforms and development financing.
Presenting Pakistan’s reform agenda, he said justice reform was an integral part of economic reform. He highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving the business environment, facilitating investors and strengthening the legal framework for economic activity.
These included the Asaan Karobar law, which provides for a national one-window business portal and a single registry of licences and permits, the establishment of a one-stop shop for investors, and the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act 2022 (FIPPA), which safeguards major foreign investments.
The minister also highlighted proposed amendments to the Companies Act, prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Board of Investment. The proposed changes seek to replace certain criminal penalties with financial fines and facilitate online corporate filings.
He further outlined efforts to improve the resolution of commercial disputes through specialised commercial courts, court-connected mediation and a new Arbitration Act based on the UNCITRAL Model Law, which is intended to replace the existing 1940 legislation.
He also highlighted the establishment of the International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC) in Islamabad and informed participants that Pakistan had signed the Singapore Convention on Mediation, while legislation required for its ratification was being prepared.
On the second day, Senator Tarar participated in the MENAAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) Regional Ministerial Dialogue alongside ministers from Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
He presented Pakistan’s national priorities and called for stronger regional cooperation to modernise legal and justice systems. He proposed regional exchanges of experience on commercial courts, arbitration centres and business reforms, as well as faster cross-border enforcement of arbitral awards and mediated settlements.
The minister also offered to host regional counterparts at IMAC in Islamabad.
Senator Tarar invited the World Bank to support Pakistan’s reforms concerning commercial courts, arbitration and mediation, along with its roadmap for improving performance on international governance indicators. He also proposed establishing a regular regional platform dedicated to modernising justice systems.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to investment and institutional reforms, the minister said the country was ready to share its experiences, learn from partner countries and work with the World Bank on practical initiatives to strengthen the justice system and improve the investment climate.
