‘Mediation only peaceful way out of conflicts’

Karachi

Access to justice and availability of easy, cost-effective and transparent dispute resolution mechanisms were perquisite in order for a country to be democratic and its society peaceful.

This was stated by the Sustainable Peace and Development Organisation (SPADO) Executive Director Raza Khan while addressing a press conference on conflict resolution, on Tuesday.

He also called for the judiciary to speed up the judicial process in order to completely curb militancy and intolerance.

“The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is one of the most transparent, speedy and economically viable mechanism of conflict resolution.”

In Khan’s opinion, injustice and legal complications were the two major factors contributing to militancy and crime in the country.

To address the issue, SPADO had been working on creating a peaceful society by developing the capacity to solve disputes through non-violent means.

The project ‘Strengthening ADR mechanism in Karachi’ was being carried out by SPADO in collaboration with the National Centre for Dispute Resolution (NCDR). It objectives were to introduce a robust ADR mechanism in four conflict-prone areas mainly (Korangi, Jamhuria Colony, Sultanabad and Hijrat Colony) through building the capacity of local communities, religious leaders and police officials to deal with conflicts through mediation.

NCDR chief operating officer, also an expert mediator, Ebrahim Saifuddin, said mediation was a globally recognised means to resolve disputes and has been made mandatory to be practiced in countries like Italy and Canada.