LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday barred the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from interfering in the affairs of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT).

During the hearing of a case, the top judge assured to oversee the project until its completion and also directed the authorities concerned to pay Rs1 billion to the contractors.

Earlier, the Supreme Court (SC) had directed to pay full money to the construction company awarded the OLMT contract. Justice Nisar had said the court wanted to extend the contract of the project in-charge and directed the advocate general to discuss the issue with representatives of the government.

In May 2014, the Punjab government had signed a project with Chinese National Development Reforms Commission regarding construction of the Orange Line in Lahore.

The original deadline for the project was December 25, 2017; however, it was marred by uncertainty amid legal troubles.