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Residential neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pakistan Defense Officers Housing Authority (PDOHA), Karachi (Urdu: ڈیفنس ہاؤسنگ اتھارٹی کراچی ), formerly Pakistan Defense Officers Cooperative Housing Society,[1][2] is a residential neighbourhood or a housing society located within Clifton Cantonment of Karachi. Clifton Cantonment total population including Defense Housing Authority is 305,938 per 2017 Census of Pakistan.[3] DHA has a majority population of Muhajirs.
Pakistan Defence Officers Housing Authority (PDOHA) Karachi ڈیفنس ہاؤسنگ اتھارٹی کراچی | |
---|---|
Nickname: DHA | |
Country | Pakistan |
Province | Sindh |
City | Karachi |
Administrative town | Clifton Cantonment |
Government | |
• Constituency | NA-241 Karachi South-III |
• National Assembly Member | Mirza Ikhtiar Baig (PPP) |
Website | dhakarachi |
It was originally established as a residential town for retired military personnel by the Armed Forces of Pakistan Welfare Department in the mid-1950s, however, currently, the majority are civilian families that reside in this town.[4]
Although part of Karachi City, Defence is actually governed directly by the Clifton Cantonment Board. The DHA body serves as the administrative authority only.[2]
The Defense was originally established by retired servicemen from the armed forces in the mid-1950s as a cooperative housing society. The office was inaugurated by Rear Admiral Haji Mohammad Siddiq Chaudhry, the first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistani Navy. In 1981, under the orders of President Gen Zia-ul Haq, it was taken over by the government and was put under the control of the Corps Commander Karachi. The authority came into existence through Presidential Order No. 7 of 1980 and was later approved by the National Assembly of Pakistan. The authority is spread over 8,852 acres (35.82 km2) and provides civic facilities to millions of residents. The efforts to develop DHA have been fruitful, signified by growth-oriented high-class living values[2]
The functioning of the authority is vested in the two bodies: the governing body headed by the Secretary Ministry of Defence and the executive board headed by the Corps Commander posted at Karachi. The executive board exercises all administrative, executive and financial powers. The Administrator is the executive head and exercises all executive powers, delegation or otherwise, in accordance with the policy laid down by the governing body and the directions or decisions of the executive board.[2]
Defence is divided into 9 subdivisions, Phases 1-8 and DHA CITY which is located on the M-9 motorway. Each phase is subdivided further into blocks and sectors. Each phase also has a central commercial area and park to cater to the local community. Housing construction began from Defence I and proliferated east and south towards what is today Defence VIII and then DHA CITY to the north of Karachi city in District Malir. Housing plots range from five marlas (approx. 1361 square feet) to 2 kanals (approx. 10890 square feet). The Karachi Defence Housing Authority building is located at 2-B, East Street, Defence Phase I.
In recent times, there were several complaints against encroachments by the concerned citizens in phase 6 at Khayaban-e-Seher adjacent to the commercial area. Houses were built on an area which was allocated for commercial area car parking. Demolition orders have been passed, notice will be issued to residents to vacate the premises by the end of 2021.
There are six main systems of streets and lanes in DHA: the normal streets and lanes found in Phase IV, V, VI, VII and VIII; the commercial streets and lanes in Phase IV; the Gizri streets and lanes in Phase IV; the Zamzama streets in Phase V; the South/Central/North streets, found in Phase I, II, and Phase II extension; and the Sunset streets and lane, found in Phase II and Phase II extension.
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