On 21 January 2003, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID” or “the Centre”) received a request for arbitration dated 17 January 2003 (the “Request”) from Impregilo S.p.A. (“Impregilo” or “the Claimant”), a company organized under the laws of Italy, against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (“Pakistan” or “the Respondent”). The Request invoked the provisions of the Agreement between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the Promotion and Protection of Investments signed on 19 July 1997 (the “BIT” or “Treaty”), and those of the Washington Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (the “ICSID Convention”).