KARACHI, Dec 4: Drastic steps are needed to improve the judicial system and provide speedy justice to the litigants in their life-time.

This was stated by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, here on Friday night, while addressing the annual dinner of the Sindh High Court Bar Association, at the lawns of the Sindh High Court.

"The continuation of the system in its present form will not serve the purpose," the CJ said, soliciting solid practical support from the lawyers' community.

He called upon them to come forward with suggestions and possible steps for improving, rather reforming the judicial system wherein justice be done without any delay.

"There are two major issues confronting the present system, the foremost being the dispensation of justice at the door-step and second is of pace of doing justice.

"Removing the problems of litigating public is our ultimate goal," Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui said, adding "paper justice is not justice".

Mentioning the oft-repeated reasons for adjournments sought by the counsel, lawyers appearing for litigants, he said the matter which could have been decided in days takes decades rendering all initiatives nil. "Substantial justice should be done in the first instance," he emphasized.

Although the disposal during the previous year was record high, the number of pending cases rose to 25,000 and with the present rate of new cases, the figure may touch 50,000 in the next two years, he felt.

The cases, which now come up after 15 days, would be fixed after three to four months, he said.

Referring to the demand by the President of SHCBA, Abdul Hafeez Lakho, the Chief Justice of Pakistan said increasing the number of judges would not solve the problem.

"The procedure must be changed, drastic steps be introduced and alternative resolution (dispute method) shall be adopted", he opined, while giving an example from the US.

With reference to increasing litigations, he said the "government is involved now as the highest number of cases are either filed by the government or against the government.

Criticizing the attitude of the government functionaries, by naming the departments of Post and Telegraph and Education, the Chief Justice said the functionaries in these departments themselves provide grounds to public to move the courts of laws.

He made a specific reference to the disputes over admissions because of favours to some candidates.

He urged the government departments to keep a check on their functionaries that whether they are discharging their responsibilities according to the law.

"The lawyers are equally responsible and they should also educate masses about proper course of action," he said.

The Chief Justice also referred to efforts on his part to reduce the cost of litigation and said he would do his best to reduce the same.

Earlier, President of the SHCBA, spoke about the problems faced by advocates of Supreme Court and advocates-on-record.

He also demanded that all posts of judges of superior judiciary be filled in and all judicial officers waiting for postings be assigned work.

Akhtar Hussain, honorary secretary of the SHCBA, welcoming the chief guest, informed him about the activities of the SHCBA for welfare of its members and also the staff of the bar association.

A large number of judges, including Acting Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, judges of SHC, senior lawyers attended the dinner, arranged by the outgoing body on the eve of elections for the year 2005 scheduled to be held on Saturday.-APP