An agreement between SSGC and Musaliha International Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR) has been signed, enabling the gas company to avail alternative dispute resolution services. The signing ceremony was held at the MICADR / Legal Aid Society Office in Finance and Trade Centre (FTC), Karachi.
As per the agreement, MICADR will offer its mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution services to SSGC in order to help resolve complex disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner, resulting in amicable settlements for disputing parties. In addition, the agreement also allows SSGC to avail Mediation Advocacy training services for its staff.
MICADR is Pakistan’s first private Alternate Dispute Resolution center that has been recognized and notified by the Federal Government as well as the Sindh High Court. MICADR provides state-of-the-art mediation, arbitration, and negotiation services for individuals and entities in line with global standards through its panel of internationally and nationally accredited Mediators and notable Arbitrators.
SSGC delegation at the signing of the agreement included Imran Maniar, MD, SSGC, M. Amin Rajput CFO, Faisal Khan, AGM (Legal).
Justice (R) Khilji Arif Hussain, MD, MICADR, informed the guests that cost-effective litigation and the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as mediation are critical in order to create an investor-friendly climate in Pakistan.
Speaking to the occasion, MD, SSGC Imran Maniar highlighted the importance of mediation services for SSGC which will ultimately be helpful to ensure timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes. He highlighted the growing trend of commercial mediation across the world and how the corporate sector in Pakistan has much to gain from the development of a robust ADR ecosystem in Pakistan.
Shahzar Ilahi, Associate Director MICADR informed the SSGC delegation about the efforts being done by Legal Aid Society and MICADR to develop an ADR ecosystem across the country, and how SSGC’s inclusion in this ecosystem is monumental for the development of ADR in the country. Sarha Rasheed, Senior Manager MICADR explained to the delegation that MICADR currently has a success rate of 96% for all mediation services provided so far.
Mediation has been providing legal cover in Pakistan as per provincial Alternative Dispute Resolution laws since 2017. Settlement agreements resulting from mediations conducted by court or government-recognized accredited mediators and mediation centers can be submitted in courts to be made Orders of Court. As per these laws, maximum time allotted for mediation is 45 days and the proceedings during a mediation are strictly confidential.
