Religious scholars can play a significant role in resolving social and family disputes by using their position of trust within communities to encourage parties to settle their differences through mutual consent and reconciliation, said Ayesha Rasool, Senior Consultant (Research & Opinion), Ministry of Law and Justice.
Ulema can play key role in resolving social disputes: Ayesha Rasool
ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (APP): Religious scholars can play a significant role in resolving social and family disputes by using their position of trust within communities to encourage parties to settle their differences through mutual consent and reconciliation, said Ayesha Rasool, Senior Consultant (Research & Opinion), Ministry of Law and Justice.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a 40-hour Certified Civil, Commercial and Shariah-Integrated Mediation Training Programme at COMSTECH, she stressed the importance of mediation and reconciliation before approaching courts for the resolution of family and social disputes.
The five-day training programme, being organized by the International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC), Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with the OIC Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC), Türkiye, will continue from August 20 to 24.
The programme is the first of its kind in Pakistan and aims to equip Ulema and religious scholars with professional mediation skills based on the principles of reconciliation and Shariah.
Ayesha Rasool said the tradition of consulting religious scholars, elders and community leaders for resolving family and social disputes existed in society even before recourse to courts. Therefore, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) should not remain confined to courts and should also involve Ulema and community leaders.
She highlighted the growing number of family disputes and said more than 45,000 cases relating to divorce and family disputes had been registered since January 2026, with an average of around 300 such cases being registered daily.
She said the training covered the basic principles of mediation, negotiation skills, dispute analysis, documentation and Shariah-compliant reconciliation procedures. The curriculum had been developed in line with international standards and included practical exercises, case studies and group discussions.
Ayesha Rasool said the programme was aimed at providing participants with an understanding of the legal and practical aspects of mediation. Upon completion, the participants would be able to serve as certified mediators.
She urged participants not to limit the training to obtaining certificates but to practically apply their knowledge in their respective communities to promote peaceful resolution of disputes and contribute to peace in society.
Former Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Atta-ur-Rehman highlighted the importance of mediation training in promoting peaceful dispute resolution.
Representing the OIC Arbitration Centre, Türkiye, Syed Muaz Shah reaffirmed OIC-AC’s commitment to promoting ADR mechanisms in Muslim countries and expressed resolve to continue joint knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives with IMAC.
Ulema and religious figures from across Pakistan are participating in the training programme, including representatives of seminaries, universities, the Federal Shariat Court, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the World Muslim Congress and other religious and social institutions.
According to IMAC, the centre has trained more than 2,000 people across Pakistan through capacity-building programmes in mediation, arbitration and ADR since its establishment.
The centre aims to promote a sustainable culture of mediation in Pakistan and strengthen access to peaceful, professional and culturally appropriate dispute-resolution mechanisms.
