Urban Development Name: | Defence, Islamabad |
Groundbreaking: | May 1992[1] |
Developer: | Habib Rafiq (Pvt.) Limited |
Size: | 50 Sq km |
The Defence Housing Authority, Islamabad-Rawalpindi (DHAI-R) (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|ڈیفنس ہاؤسنگ اتھارٹی اسلام آباد-راولپنڈی) is an affluent residential neighbourhood or a gated community located within Islamabad–Rawalpindi metropolitan area of Pakistan. The neighbourhood is divided into five parts and straddles the Punjab provincial border.[2] This neighbourhood was primarily established for military personnel in 1992 by the Armed Forces of Pakistan Welfare Department, however, currently both civilian and military families reside there. Today, DHA, Islamabad serves as one of the twin cities' most posh residential neighbourhoods.
Defence Phase I | Most ideally located Phase of Defence, situated between Potohar Avenue and Bahria Town Islamabad. | |
Defence Phase II | Largest of all subdivisions, located between Potohar Avenue and Expressway. | |
Defence Phase III | Previously Bahria Serene City, located east of Bahria VIII. | |
Defence Phase IV | Located adjacent to Orchard Area, DHA Phase 1 along Soan River. | |
Defence Phase V | Located on Expressway. | |
Defence Valley, Islamabad | On hold, located adjacent to Defence II on Expressway. |
Defence is headed by a serving brigadier of the Pakistan Army under the Welfare and Rehabilitation Directorate.
Defence I is located within the Islamabad–Rawalpindi metropolitan area between Potohar Avenue[3] and Bahria Town Phase VII & VIII. This subdivision on its southwest abuts Soan River. A larger area acquired by the Defense Housing Authority just southwest of Phase I is named Sector F (formerly Phase 1 Extension) and covers a total of 16,750 Kanals (8.47 sq km).
Located near the Kahuta Triangle, with Potohar Avenue on its south end and Islamabad Expressway on its North. The project was commenced in February 1994.
Launched on 18 August 2008, it is located adjacent to Defence Phase II.
All phases have commercial zones.
DHA is regarded as one of the most expensive communities in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Real estate in Pakistan underwent a boom during the early and mid 2000s when Overseas Pakistanis started sending substantial amounts of their savings back home after 9/11. As of 2019, statistics reveal that an average 500 yards plot in DHA Islamabad is priced between ₨20-25 million. Pakistan's leading property portal "Zameen" reported in February 2013 that property for rent and sales in Defence have performed phenomenally well.