LAHORE: The outsourcing of Lahore Zoo and massive increase in ticket charges has been challenged in the Lahore High Court.

Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest organisation, filed a writ petition through its chairman Azhar Siddique saying the zoo has been outsourced to a private company for Rs500 million.

It states that the contract includes managing parking facilities on The Mall and Lawrence Road gates, entry tickets and charges for various attractions such as the fish aquarium, snake house, aviary, and the new virtual reality experiences.

It said the Punjab Wildlife Department claimed to have achieved success in auctioning the zoo’s services, surpassing the reserve price of Rs320 million by Rs180 million.

The petition points out that the zoo’s entry ticket price has been fixed at Rs100 with separate charges for additional attractions.

It argues that a public zoo, being a vital recreational facility, cannot be fully outsourced or auctioned.

It says the most that can be done is to outsource certain administrative functions to a private firm, however, even this must be done with caution to ensure that the public does not bear an undue financial burden.

The petition contends that the zoo outsourcing has led to increased entry fees and additional charges for various attractions, making it less accessible to the public.

It asks the court to set aside the actions and publication of an advertisement of a contract to the private sector for being illegal and unconstitutional.

The petition also urges the court to order the authorities to share all the information, details and documents about the outsourcing since it is the right of the public at large to know of the matter at hand, of course, in the interest of public, justice, equity and fair play.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025