The Punjab Wildlife Department has awarded a Rs135 million contract to a private company for the management of operations at the Lahore Safari Park. The department will continue to oversee the care and breeding of the animals and birds.
Under the agreement, the private company will manage essential functions such as parking, ticketing, maintenance of the aquarium, and operations of electric and lion safari vehicles. The contract has been signed, and the company has started working with the Lahore Safari Zoo administration to assess and improve park operations.
Project Director Mudassir Hassan explained that the initial reserve price was set at Rs80 million, covering all related expenses. He expressed satisfaction that the contract was awarded for Rs135 million. The contractor will also be responsible for vehicle repairs, electricity costs, and the maintenance and feeding of the aquarium’s fish. Separate auctions will be held for the café, electric rides area, and horse riding, with a review of past contracts planned.
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Hassan noted that staff who previously handled parking, ticketing, and electric vehicle operations will now focus entirely on the care of the animals and birds. He emphasized efforts to ensure that contractual employees retain their positions under the new contractor, thus securing their jobs.
This initiative is part of a broader project by the caretaker Punjab government, led by Mohsin Naqvi (now the interior minister), aimed at revamping both the Lahore Safari Zoo and the Lahore Zoo. The total project cost is estimated at Rs5 billion, with Rs2 billion already spent on the safari park. Plans to introduce elephants and giraffes are still in progress.
Previously, the Punjab Wildlife Department relied on finance department funding for the safari zoo’s expenses, but the zoo is now expected to achieve financial self-sustainability.
