LAHORE – The management of Lahore Zoo has been handed back to the Department of Wildlife after the private company operating the facility abruptly withdrew from its contract. All services, including ticketing and parking, are now being managed directly by the zoo administration.
The private operator had taken over the zoo on January 1, 2025, under a Rs500 million contract covering entry tickets, parking, and visitor facilities. However, after just six months and sixteen days, the company exited the agreement.
According to official sources, the firm will still be required to pay more than Rs250 million to the government under the terms of the contract, along with clearing pending utility bills, including electricity dues.
Ticket pricing dispute triggers exit
The company had requested the Captive Wildlife Management Committee (CWMC) to allow an increase in entry fees and to bundle at least one paid attraction—such as the dinosaur hall, reptile house, or aquarium—into every ticket. The committee rejected the proposal, insisting that additional financial burdens should not be passed on to visitors.
This decision aligned with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, who have repeatedly stressed that recreational spaces should remain affordable for families.
Earlier, the private operator had controversially introduced bundled ticket packages, which forced visitors to pay extra for combined access to multiple facilities. The move drew heavy public criticism, prompting an intervention by Minister Aurangzeb and Punjab Secretary of Forests & Wildlife, Mudassir Riaz Malik, who ordered an immediate end to the practice.
What’s next for the zoo?
Facing mounting backlash and potential financial losses, the contractor opted to withdraw from the agreement. The company has assured the government that all outstanding payments will be cleared.
The zoo officially resumed government control on Thursday, while the CWMC has called an emergency meeting to determine the future management model for the iconic Lahore Zoo.
