Islamabad: The International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC) along with the Ministry of Law and Justice held an executive training on tax dispute resolution through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at COMSTECH, Islamabad. The event focused on enhancing the application of ADR in tax governance to facilitate efficient tax dispute resolution.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the training gathered retired judges, government officials, legal experts, business leaders, and tax professionals. Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Law and Justice, underscored the significance of ADR in minimizing litigation and expediting tax dispute settlements. He highlighted the potential of ADR in unlocking substantial revenue currently tied up in court processes.

Secretary Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar advocated for ongoing capacity-building initiatives across Pakistan to support ADR adoption. The Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) expressed the board’s commitment to incorporating ADR into its tax administration to ensure fairness and transparency. He also suggested extending such training sessions to major business centers like Karachi and Lahore.

Key speakers at the event, including Dr. Umar A. Oseni, Mr. Mir Badshah Khan Wazir, and Barrister Mian Sheraz Javaid, discussed international best practices in tax dispute resolution. They emphasized the benefits of ADR in reducing tax litigation and the operational integration of ADR within the FBR’s tax system.

The IMAC, under the Ministry of Law and Justice, has been actively conducting workshops to institutionalize ADR among legal professionals, business chambers, and government officers.