'Financial constraints block implementation of PPD Act 2007'

Punjab law secretary here on Wednesday informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that financial constraints were the reason of non-implementation of Punjab Public Defender Act 2007 (PPD Act 2007). This was stated in a report submitted before the chief justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry in a petition seeking implementation of the defender Act.
The report said due to shortage of funds the government was unable to implement the Act and the matter had been referred to cabinet for reviewing the said law.
The chief justice observed, if government makes a law the same should be implemented without any delay.
The Chief Justice turned down the request of Additional advocate general Muhammad Hanif Khatana to adjourn hearing till October next 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 secretary law will be summoned.
Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique filed the petition in public interest stating that Punjab assembly with a view to provide free legal assistance to poor people in courts promulgated Punjab Public Defender Service Act, 2007 (PPD Act 2007).
He said the law was meant to secure better life for poor people but despite the lapse of four year the government had made no efforts so far for enforcement of such a valuable piece of law.
He said government was wasting public money on maintaining luxury lives of the politicians and bureaucrats. He prayed to the court to direct the government to implement the said law.