Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Award Under the New York Convention in Pakistan

Abstract

This article discusses the enforcement of foreign arbitration awards in Pakistan, focusing on the impact of the New York Convention and recent legal developments. Under Pakistani law, foreign arbitration awards are treated the same as local court decisions, ensuring that Pakistani courts enforce them just like their own rulings. The article highlights the benefits of international arbitration, such as its speed and lower cost compared to court cases, which led Pakistan to adopt the New York Convention in 1958 and replace the old Arbitration Act of 1937 with a new law in 2011. It examines how temporary foreign arbitration awards are recognized and enforced, drawing comparisons with international practices. The Convention covers disputes between parties from different countries and applies to awards not considered local in the enforcement country.