Karachi: Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat organised webinar on Informal Resolution of Disputes (IRD): Pakistan’s experience from platform of Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA).  According to reports received here Wafaqi Mohtasib Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi also President of AOA highlighted main features of IRD system in administering free and expeditious justice to general public through mediation and conciliation without necessity of docketing any complaint or issuing any official notice. He stated that Wafaqi Mohtasib’s institution being poor man’s court, was addressing complaints of maladministration by federal agencies in large number. He added that IRD initiative adds value to services of this institution in addressing issues of maladministration and promoting thereby good governance, rule of law and fundamental freedom.

IRD mechanism involves resolution of disputes through mediation and persuasion rather than decision arrived at through following strict process or procedure.

From April 2022 till today, 1,911 complaints were received under IRD out of which 1,837 have been resolved while 74 are under process.

Over 70 participants representing member institutions of Asian Ombudsman Association including Azerbaijan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and other countries attended event.  Representatives of Ombudsmen institutions functioning in Ombudsman Sindh, Banking Mohtasib, Federal Tax Ombudsman and Regional Offices of Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat also in attendance.

ShahzarIlahi Associate Director of ADR Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Pakistan. Justice M. Raza Khan, formerly Chief Justice KP High Court and Federal Secretary Law and Justice Division spoke about practices and procedures of IRD in context of Wafaqi Mohtasib’s institution.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 15 2023

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