A workshop on “Negotiation Skills” was conducted on Friday, 9^th January, 2026, at National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore for the participants of 45th MCMC. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam. He opened the session by describing negotiation a universal and continuous human activity, relevant to both personal and professional life. He emphasized that effective negotiation requires judgment, emotional restraint, balance, and influence rather than authority alone.

The guest speaker highlighted key principles of negotiation, including the importance of listening, empathy, preparation, and ethical conduct. He discussed various types and approaches to negotiation such as distributive and integrative negotiations, crisis negotiations, cross-cultural settings, and principled negotiation. Structural sources of conflict, negotiation tactics, and the Harvard Framework for smart negotiation were also explained. Historical and global examples were cited to illustrate negotiation as a tool for peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

The workshop was interactive and included group-based negotiation exercises, where participants assumed the roles of protestors and authorities to reach negotiated settlements. The activity enabled participants to apply theoretical concepts in realistic scenarios. The session concluded with reflections on leadership styles, communication skills, and personal growth, followed by appreciation for active participation and a formal vote of thanks.