- Defence Housing Authority, Lahore
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The Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Lahore is a housing society located in northern Lahore, Pakistan. It was originally built for army officers, but is now a popular destination for potential residents and businessmen. DHA is a popular residential area, mainly for the affluent of Pakistan.
The Defence Housing Authority is one of the most developed and high-end living areas in the country. Since the late 1990s, this once army-controlled area has attracted various 'elite' residents, such as celebrities, top military officials, politicians and many foreigners of Pakistani descent. It is also the home of LUMS University (Lahore University of Management Sciences), a prestigious institution of higher learning with international recognition. The community also hosts many Western amenities including a number of McDonald's, Subways, Dunkin Donuts and Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, which have served as a convenience for many foreign visitors.
Often deemed "The New Rich", the Defence Housing Authority is a community known for its upscale shops, corporate offices, vibrant social life, and literate elite. Residential homes in the area start at around Rs 20 million (UK £150,000) and go up' to Rs 25 crore (UK £2,000,000) and above. Private school tuition rates have increased in recent years. The area is maintained by private developers and the park upkeep has become the sole responsibility of the DHA management.
Furthermore, the area has also undergone extensive gentrification, bringing in a more wealthy base.
During the past five years, developers have claimed extraterritorial land, which has increased new development in the area. New developments include a world-class golf resort in partnership with Bandar Raya of Malaysia and a shopping and office complex in partnership with Global Haly of the United Kingdom.
DHA encompasses two famous shopping centres, known as the 'Y-block' market and the 'H-block' market, which hold all kinds of Western to Continental food shops, cafes, hospitals, fitness clinics, gyms and gift shops.
Two international standard sports complexes have been planned in the area and construction has started on the projects as of 2011.
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Health care
The main hospital situated in the heart of DHA is one of the best hospitals in Lahore; it is a private hospital called The National Hospital. Alternative hospitals within easy reach of DHA can be found on the Defence Main Boulevard (the road leading to the main DHA entrance). In addition to the hospitals, small clinics can be found in markets all over. Many pharmacies can also be found scattered throughout.
Food
DHA, like the rest of Lahore, is overflowing with food lovers and has a lot of variety of foods on offer, from fast food chains such as McDonald's, Hardees , Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut to upper-scale restaurants specialising in Pakistani and Western cuisine. The 'Food Street' situated in the 'H-Block' market is home to many local small-scale restaurants and takeaways providing countless cuisines; the famous ones are Cock & Bull (famous for its chicken cheese shewarma) and Karachi Hot'n'Spicy (for Pakistani cuisine). Besides the larger restaurants, DHA is full of small cafes which offer a nice atmosphere to chill out, such as Jammin Java, The Hot Spot, Masoom's Pancake Lounge and Gloria Jean's Cafe.
Education
DHA is home to various educational institutes, including LUMS University (Lahore University of Management Sciences) and the Lahore School of Economics (LSE). Other institutes in the DHA include Ibn-e-Sina College (named after the philosopher), the Lahore Alma School, and Lahore Grammar School, which has branches all over Lahore. The Beaconhouse School System operates a branch here. An elite Kids Campus, DHA Kindergarten and Defence Degree Colleges for boys and girls are also present.
Politics of DHA
DHA houses 32,000 registered voters and a large part of Provincial Assembly Constituency PP-155 and National Assembly Constituency NA-125. The sitting Member of NA-125 is Khawaja Saad Rafique (PML-N); the sitting MPA of Constituency PP-155 is Mian Naseer Ahmed (PML-N).
See also
External links
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- Defence Housing Authority
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