On 5th March 2026, the International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDI) – Mediation Center and Bahria University Islamabad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and professional collaboration in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The ceremony was held at Islamabad with the aim of promoting mediation, arbitration, and ADR awareness, as well as advancing legal research, curriculum development, and capacity-building initiatives in Pakistan.
The MoU was signed by Barrister Zopash Khan, Co-Chair, The Society of Mediators on behalf of the International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDI) and Commodore Shoukat Ali SI(M) (Retd.), Director Administration, Bahria University Islamabad. This strategic partnership aims to foster Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) awareness, enhance professional skills, and develop structured training and learning opportunities for students, legal practitioners, and professionals.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by distinguished legal experts and academic representatives including Advocate Adil Aziz Qazi, Former Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan and Vice Chairman Islamabad Bar Council, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Member Advisory Board, International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDI), Barrister Malik Talha A. Rahim, IBC Certified Mediation Lawyer, Mr. Muhammad Yaseen Iqbal, Registrar at International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDI), Dr. Fayaz, Dean of the Law Department, Bahria University Islamabad and Ms. Bushra, Head of the Department of Law at Bahria University Islamabad.
Under this collaboration, both institutions agreed to undertake several joint initiatives, including the establishment of a Bahria–IDI Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Think Tank, promotion of research and policy dialogue on dispute resolution reforms, and the organization of seminars, lectures, and academic forums on mediation and arbitration. The partnership will also focus on training and capacity-building programmes for students, faculty members, and professionals, while exploring the establishment of a Mediation and Arbitration Centre within the university framework.
Furthermore, the partnership will promote research initiatives, policy dialogue on dispute resolution reforms, and curriculum enhancement to develop a more structured and unified approach to ADR education in Pakistan. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to bridge the gap between legal academia and professional practice, while contributing to the strengthening of Pakistan’s dispute resolution framework through institutional cooperation.
The partnership is expected to create meaningful opportunities for students, legal professionals, and the wider justice sector, fostering knowledge exchange and advancing the role of mediation and ADR mechanisms in Pakistan’s legal system.
