Lahore Zoo Outsourcing and Ticket Price Hike Challenged in Lahore High Court
LAHORE – The outsourcing of Lahore Zoo and the significant increase in ticket prices have been challenged in the Lahore High Court by the Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest organization. The petition, filed by the panel’s chairman, Azhar Siddique, alleges that the zoo has been handed over to a private company for Rs. 500 million.
The contract, as outlined in the petition, includes the management of parking facilities at key locations such as The Mall and Lawrence Road, along with charges for attractions like the fish aquarium, snake house, aviary, and virtual reality experiences.
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The petition highlights that although the Punjab Wildlife Department declared the auction a success, surpassing the reserve price of Rs. 320 million by Rs. 180 million, it argues that the full outsourcing of a public zoo – a vital recreational facility – is inappropriate. It suggests that only certain administrative functions should be outsourced, ensuring that public services remain accessible and that the financial burden on the public is minimized.
Additionally, the petition points out that the increased entry fees and extra charges have made the zoo less accessible to the general public. It calls for the court to declare the outsourcing agreement illegal, annul the contract advertisement, and demand full transparency throughout the process to ensure fairness and safeguard the public interest.
