The Role of Arbitrability in the Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards: A Study of Legal Landscape of Pakistan
Author: Khurram Baig, Waheed uz Zaman, Syeda Tooba Akhtar
Abstract
The enforcement of foreign arbitral awards (FAWs) in Pakistan is fraught with challenges due to ambiguities in the legal framework, inconsistent judicial interpretations and the frequent invocation of public policy (PP) exceptions. Despite Pakistan’s signed of the New York Convention in 2005 and the enactment of the REFA, 2011 the enforceability of foreign awards remains uncertain. This study examined the role of arbitrability in the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the perspective of Pakistan. The study identifies the lack of clarity in defining arbitrability, judicial intervention, and the broad interpretation of public policy as key obstacles to enforcement. The objective of the study is to analyze legal frameworks which are complaining with FAWs and propose reforms to enhance the enforceability of FAWs. The study employed the qualitative method to documentary analysis such as case laws, legal frameworks and scholarly literature, with a focus on landmark decisions such as Hub Power Company v. Pakistan WAPDA (2000), Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited v. Societe Generale de Surveillance (2015), and Pakistan v. Broadsheet LLC (2021). The study highlighted the dispute between domestic arbitral award and FAWs which is emphasizing the judiciary approach to arbitrability. The Pakistan has made effort to align its international laws for arbitration. By implementing these reforms, Pakistan is enhancing the enforceability of FAWs, attract foreign investment, and establish itself as a pro-arbitration jurisdiction. This study contributed to the academic and practical discourse on arbitration in Pakistan, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities for improving the country’s arbitration framework.
Keywords
Arbitrability, Foreign Arbitral Awards, Public Policy, New York Convention, Judicial Intervention, Legal Reforms.
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DOI: 10.52279/jlss.07.01.5364 | 53-64 | PDF