LAHORE: The management of Lahore Zoo has been handed back to the Department of Wildlife after the private company running it decided to end its contract. Now, all services, including ticketing and parking, are being directly managed by the zoo administration.
The private company had taken charge on January 1, 2025, under a Rs500 million contract. It was responsible for services like entry tickets, parking, and other visitor facilities.
However, after operating for six months and sixteen days, the company backed out of the deal. According to sources, the firm now owes over Rs250 million to the government, including unpaid electricity bills, under the terms of the agreement.
Zoo officials confirmed that they have fully resumed control of daily operations. Authorities said the private contractor had asked the Captive Wildlife Management Committee (CWMC) to allow a ticket price hike and to bundle an extra paid facility—such as the dinosaur hall, reptile house, or aquarium—with every entry ticket.
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The CWMC turned down the request, saying that visitors should not face extra charges. The decision supports the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, who want public recreational services to remain affordable and accessible.
Soon after taking over, the private company had introduced bundled tickets, forcing visitors to pay for entry along with one additional facility. This move sparked strong public backlash.
In response, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and Punjab Secretary of Forests & Wildlife, Mudassir Riaz Malik, immediately ordered the practice to be stopped.
Sources said the company chose to leave the agreement to avoid further financial losses and has promised to clear all pending dues.
The zoo administration has now officially taken over, while the CWMC has called an emergency meeting to decide the future management plan for the zoo.
