Contractors working under Suthra Punjab have suspended sanitation operations in 21 tehsils across Punjab due to unpaid outstanding payments. The contractors said the move was taken after payments remained pending for several months.

Provincial President of the Contractors Association Nasrullah Tareen claimed that cheques issued by the company to contractors had not been cleared. He said the company had issued cheques worth Rs1.5 billion, but contractors were unable to receive the payments.

Tareen stated that contractors had not received around Rs2.5 billion in payments for the past six months. He said the delay had created serious financial challenges for businesses involved in sanitation services.

The suspension has affected sanitation operations in several areas, including Muzaffargarh and 20 other tehsils. Contractors said work would remain halted until their pending payments were cleared.

According to the association, multiple meetings were held with relevant authorities regarding the unpaid dues. Contractors said they were repeatedly assured that their outstanding amounts would be released. However, they claimed that the payments had not been made so far.

The dispute has once again affected waste management activities in different parts of Punjab. Earlier, Suthra Punjab contractors had also announced a boycott over delayed payments related to garbage collection machinery and other services.

During the previous suspension, garbage started accumulating in several locations. Sanitation workers also raised concerns over delays in receiving their salaries.

The Contractors Association has demanded immediate clearance of all pending dues. It warned that the continued suspension of sanitation services could create further waste management issues in affected areas.

The Suthra Punjab project was introduced to improve cleanliness and waste collection services across Punjab. Contractors working with the programme provide essential sanitation operations in different districts and tehsils.

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The latest suspension has raised concerns about the continuity of waste collection services. Authorities and contractors are expected to continue discussions to resolve the payment dispute and restore normal sanitation operations.