[image: PHOTO: APP]

LAHORE: The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) faces yet another setbackdue to stoppage of funds by the government.

OLMT Project is likely to face more delays as the caretaker government hasstopped the payments for all ongoing projects.

Earlier, the contractors working on various development projects acrossPunjab, including the metro train, were advised to wait till Election Day(July 25). However, it is now being indicated that the fate of alldevelopment projects will be decided by the upcoming government.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, a civil contractor, working onthe metro train project, highlighted that all contractors were facing aserious financial crunch as the government had not made any payments forthe past couple of months. He pointed out that bills worth billions ofrupees were pending with different government departments. “The governmenthas even stopped the payment of cheques that have already been issued.

Contractors owe billions of rupees to their subcontractors and vendors.“The interim government has withheld payments for contractors and this hascaused the contractors to default with subcontractors, who have been forcedto stop wages for labourers.”