The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Saturday sealed the Expo Centre Lahore due to the failure to pay lease installments, revealing significant issues with financial management and governance within the organization.
The sources said that Expo Centre had not met its lease rental obligations to the LDA for the past two years, leading to the authority’s intervention. This situation underscores severe financial mismanagement and governance problems affecting the organization.
During the sealing process, discussions between the LDA and Expo Centre led to an agreement for the Centre to settle its outstanding lease payments immediately. As a result, the LDA postponed the sealing action, according to sources.
Additionally, despite federal funding allocations, there has been no progress on the Expo Centre projects in Peshawar and Quetta, with the funds being surrendered without tangible outcomes.
The Expo Centre Lahore is also grappling with major maintenance issues, such as roof leakages affecting event halls and an incomplete Hall Number Four, which has caused disruptions for event organizers and visitors.
The ongoing financial mismanagement, stalled projects, and maintenance problems are clear signs of governance failures under the leadership of CEO Ms. Mariam Khawar, sources say.
The management of the Expo Centre has yet to respond to requests for comment.
