A two-day workshop was held on the "Commercial Disputes Resolution: Concept and Understanding" at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy on 20 – 21 March, 2023. Judges of Commercial Courts, District Attorneys, Advocates, representatives from Sarhad and Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Government Officers of the Commerce, Industries and Technical Education Department were amongst the participants.
The objective of the interactive activity was to shine light on significance of the commercial dispute resolution, enhance understanding of the Resolution of Commercial Disputes Act, 2022, sensitize participants on effective implementation of the Act, discuss practical aspects of procedure of Commercial Courts working in the Province for uniformity and consistency in practice and to suggest legislative or administrative reforms, if so needed.
At the Inaugural session of the workshop, the Director General KPJA Ms. Farah Jamshed welcomed chief guest and the trainees. She highlighted the aims and objectives of the workshop. Mr. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, hon'ble Judge Peshawar High Court/ Administrative Judge Commercial Courts was chief guest. In the key note address the chief guest, expressed hope that amidst country’s economic crises, the promulgation of the Act marked watershed development. He was of the view that the legislature has empowered the commercial courts to expeditiously settle the commercial disputes and to play the vital role in promoting economic well-being. He urged that the cherished goal of speedy justice, can only be achieved if those involved in providing justice, understand their obligations and the contours of the new legislation.
During academic discourses, Mr. Muhammad Hanif Khan, Additional Director, Directorate General, Industries, Commerce & Technical Education, Peshawar discussed “Commercial Courts: Beginning of a new Era”, followed by discourse on “Commercial Courts: Reflections on the Punjab Experience” by Mr. Muhammad Ahmad Husnain Khan, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Lahore. Mr. Shumail Ahmad Butt, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan deliberated upon “Concept & Understanding of Commercial Disputes Resolution: Commercial Dispute Resolution Act: An Overview”. The discourses were followed by the panel discussion on the Act.
Second day was dedicated to Group Discussion & recommendations. After thorough discussion, participants presented recommendations through their group leaders.
Mr. Muhammad Asif Khan, Judge Commercial Court Peshawar as class representative, expressed gratitude to the Academy for timely holding the workshop, which will enable all the commercial courts to adopt uniform procedure. He was of the view that suggestions made during the workshop would help rule making in proper context. At the concluding ceremony, the Director General distributed certificates amongst the participants.