LAHORE, June 15: The Punjab law secretary on Wednesday informed the Lahore High Court that financial constraints had thwarted implementation of the Punjab Public Defender Service Act 2007.

This was stated in a report submitted by the secretary before Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry with regard to a writ petition seeking implementation of the Act.

The report said that owing to shortage of funds the government was unable to implement the Act and the matter had been referred to the cabinet for reviewing it.

The chief justice observed if the government made a law it should be implemented without any delay.

Additional Advocate-General Muhammad Hanif Khatana requested the court to adjourn hearing till October, however, the chief justice turned down the request and fixed July 1 for next hearing and directed the law officer to file a detailed reply of the government on the matter otherwise the law secretary would be summoned.

Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique filed the petition stating that the Punjab Assembly had promulgated the Punjab Public Defender Service Act of 2007 to provide free legal aid to the poor people in courts.

He said the law was meant to secure better life for the poor but despite a lapse of four years the government had made no efforts so far for enforcement of such a valuable piece of legislation.

He said the government was wasting public money on maintaining luxurious lifestyles of the politicians and bureaucrats.

He said it was negligence on part of the Punjab government and requested the court to direct the government to implement the law in letter and spirit.