Islamabad – The International Mediation & Arbitration Centre (IMAC), Ministry of Law & Justice successfully conducted a One-Day Executive Training on Tax Dispute
Resolution through ADR at COMSTECH. The training aimed to enhance the understanding and application of the ADR mechanism in tax governance, fostering a constructive dialogue on the institutionalization of ADR in resolving tax disputes efficiently. It brought together retired judges of the high courts, government officers, legal experts, business leaders, and tax professionals.
The Chief Guest, Senator Azam Nazir Tarar Federal Minister for Law & Justice, emphasized the
importance of ADR in ensuring expeditious tax dispute resolution and reducing litigation burdens.
“The ADR system already present in our culture has been refined by the legal framework. It can
be helpful to unlocking revenue of trillions of rupees stuck up before various courts in litigation”
he stated. Secretary Law & Justice Raja Naeem Akbar emphasized continuity of such capacity
building programs for the stakeholders throughout the Pakistan.
The Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), acknowledged the need for alternative
mechanisms in tax dispute resolution. “FBR is committed to integrating ADR within its processes
to ensure fair and transparent tax administration. Such ADR sessions may also be extended to big
business hubs like Karachi and Lahore.” he remarked.
Key speakers, Dr. Umar A. Oseni, Secretary General of OIC-Arbitration Centre, Mr. Mir Badshah
Khan Wazir, Member Legal, FBR, and Mian Sheraz Javaid, Barrister & Arbitrator, highlighted
international best practices in tax dispute resolution and the benefits of ADR in reducing tax
litigation. They elaborated the operationalization of ADR within the FBR tax administration
system.
IMAC, the recently established under the umbrella of Ministry of law & Justice, has successfully
conducted a series of capacity building workshops to institutionalize the ADR mechanism amongst
various legal fraternity, business chambers, government officers and serving and retired judges.