Lahore Safari Park awarded to private firm under Rs135m contract

The Punjab Wildlife Department has awarded a contract worth Rs135 million to a private company for the management of Lahore Safari Park.

The department will continue to oversee the care and breeding of wildlife, including animals and birds.

Under the agreement, the private company will manage key operations such as parking, entry tickets, aquarium maintenance, electric vehicles, and lion safari vehicles.

The contract was signed today, and the company has already begun reviewing operations alongside the Lahore Safari Zoo administration.

Project Director Mudassir Hassan stated that the reserve price was set at Rs80 million, taking into account all associated costs.

"We are pleased that the contract was awarded for Rs135 million," he said.

Hassan added that the contractor will be responsible for vehicle repairs, electricity bills, and the upkeep and feeding of fish in the aquarium. Separate auctions will be held for the café, electric rides area, and horse riding concessions, with a review of previous contracts also in the works.

Hassan further noted that the park staff previously involved in parking management, ticket collection, and driving electric vehicles will now focus solely on caring for the animals and birds.

"Efforts will also be made to ensure that contract-based employees continue their work under the new contractor, preserving their jobs".

The contract is part of an initiative launched by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in his role as caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, to revamp both the Lahore Safari Zoo and the Lahore Zoo.

The combined cost of the projects is estimated at Rs5 billion, with approximately Rs2 billion already spent on the safari park. However, plans to bring elephants and giraffes to the park are still pending.

Previously, the Punjab Wildlife Department had to rely on funding from the Finance Department to cover Lahore Safari Zoo’s expenses.

Now, the zoo is expected to become a self-sustaining entity, generating revenue independently.