Lahore, Pakistan — On 27th May, 2025, a panel of experts gathered at the Centre for Chinese Legal Studies at the Sheikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (LUMS) in collaboration with Courting the law, to discuss the role of mediation, dialogue, and trade in easing tensions between India and Pakistan and promoting regional peace. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) served as a key reference point during the discussion.
Moderated by Barrister Habeeba Ahmad Naseer, the panel featured Dr. Jo D. Chitlik, Hon’ble Justice Shahid Kareem, Barrister Taimur Malik, and Dr. Rizwan Naseer.
Dr. Jo Chitlik highlighted the importance of understanding the economic costs of conflict and stressed that trade, while a valuable mediation tool, requires political will and mutual trust to succeed. She noted that mediation frameworks focusing on shared interests could open pathways for peaceful engagement between Pakistan and India.
Justice Shahid Kareem emphasized the judiciary’s active role in promoting mediation, particularly under Order IX-B of the Civil Procedure Code. He cited the inclusion of mediation in income tax disputes under Section 134A of the Income Tax Ordinance and lauded its success whilst also calling for the revival of the lapsed Punjab Commercial Courts Ordinance to strengthen commercial dispute resolution.
Barrister Taimur Malik, founding partner of Courting the Law and Qanoondan, discussed the ongoing Gaza crisis, urging major global actors such as the EU, China, and the U.S. to play proactive roles in mediation and peaceful conflict resolution. He underscored a core principle of mediation: it cannot be forced; parties must voluntarily accept resolutions for it to be a success. He also emphasised on the role of technolegy in making mediation more main stream and accessible whilst highlighting the use of A.I. in successfully mediating everyday online e-commerce related disputes.
Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Senior Research Fellow and Director of Research & Development at the Institute of Regional Studies, spoke about China’s mediation approach which is centered on diplomacy, economic incentives, and trust-building. He highlighted China’s philosophy of long-term engagement and neutrality, citing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a platform for regional cooperation and conflict resolution in Asia. Dr. Naseer stressed that geopolitical interests must be set aside for mediation to succeed and pointed to China’s role in facilitating economic diplomacy in complex conflicts, such as between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The panel also acknowledged Pakistan’s recent accession to the Singapore Convention on Mediation, enhancing the enforcement of cross-border mediated settlements.
The event was widely attended with particular interest from members of the Women in Law Initiative, reflecting the growing role of female legal professionals in mediation and justice reform in Pakistan.
The Panelists whilst appreciating the organisers for selecting pertinent issues for deliberation in a timely fashion, called for additional sessions to be held on the effectiveness of judicial activism and law reform in diluting adverse impacts of climate change.
This panel at LUMS marks a significant step in advancing understanding of mediation and trade as viable, non-military strategies for conflict resolution in South Asia, offering hope for a more peaceful and cooperative future.
