| Citation(s) |
|---|
| 2025 SLG 1435 2025 SLD 1435 = 2025 SCP 203 = 2025 SCMR 1907 |
Civil Petitions No. 1982 & 1983 of 2025 (Against the order of Islamabad High Court, Islamabad dated 19.5.2025, passed in Diary No.9715/2025)
Mr. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah Mr. Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi
Frontier Holdings Limited through its Chief Executive, Islamabad and another (in both cases) … Petitioners
VERSUS
Petroleum Exploration Pvt. Limited through its Chief Executive Officer, Islamabad (in both cases) … Respondent
Law: Recognition and Enforcement (Arbitration Agreements and Foreign Arbitral Awards) Ordinance, 2011
Section:
Law: Law Reforms Ordinance, 1972
Section: 3(2)
Law: Supreme Court Rules, 1980
Section: XI, XX, XXXIII
Core Summary
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, led by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, addressed the enforcement of a foreign arbitral award under the Recognition and Enforcement (Arbitration Agreements and Foreign Arbitral Awards) Act, 2011. The Court granted temporary permission to the petitioners' counsel, who is not an Advocate of the Supreme Court, to appear due to urgency, with the direction that a Supreme Court Advocate must be engaged for subsequent proceedings. The main dispute concerns the enforcement of an ICC arbitral award, with interim relief initially granted by a Single Judge of the Islamabad High Court but later suspended by a Division Bench. The Supreme Court has now restored the interim relief and suspended the Division Bench's order, emphasizing Pakistan’s pro-enforcement obligation under international law and the 2011 Act123.
Core Points
Special Permission to Counsel: Temporary permission granted to non-Supreme Court Advocate due to urgency; future hearings require a Supreme Court Advocate1.
Arbitral Award Enforcement: The dispute was subject to ICC arbitration in London, resulting in a partial award (12.12.2024) and a costs award (31.03.2025), both sought to be enforced under the 2011 Act12.