Dr. Hassan Daud Butt Shares Insights on ADR and CPEC at the Centre for Chinese Legal Studies

On Thursday, November 28, 2024, the Centre for Chinese Legal Studies (CCLS) at LUMS had the distinct honor of hosting Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, a distinguished expert in international trade, investment, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) strategies. Dr. Butt, former Head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, has played a key role in shaping Pakistan’s economic collaboration under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Dr. Butt’s visit provided an excellent opportunity to explore Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and their application within the CPEC framework. His insights significantly enriched CCLS's ongoing research, particularly for a paper focusing on ADR’s role in resolving cross-border disputes and enhancing trade and investment ties under CPEC.

The interactive session, led by Research Associate Usama Bin Zafar and Centre Lead Ms. Minahil Toor, delved into the challenges and opportunities associated with using ADR to address complex legal and commercial disputes. Dr. Butt highlighted the critical need for developing effective arbitration and mediation systems to foster a pro-ADR culture in Pakistan, which is essential for ensuring smoother economic operations and stronger bilateral relations with China.

This engagement underscores the Centre’s ongoing efforts to bridge academic research with practical applications, particularly in advancing legal cooperation and dispute resolution frameworks between Pakistan and China. CCLS remains dedicated to fostering dialogue on critical legal and economic issues that contribute to the success of regional initiatives like CPEC.