Bahria Town

Bahria Town Private Limited.
Private
Industry Real estate, Gated community, Hospitality
Founded Bahria Town Foundation
Founder Malik Riaz Hussain
Headquarters Pakistan
Products Town
Commercial area
Plots
House
Villa
Restaurants
Hotel
Golf clubs
Hospitals
Revenue Increase US$10 billion (2015)
Total assets Increase US$20 billion (2015)
Number of employees
 35,000 (2015)
Website http://www.bahriatown.com/

Bahria Town officially Bahria Town (PVT.) Ltd. is Rawalpindi based privately owned real-estate development company which own's and develops real estate project's in across Pakistan. It is the largest private real estate company in Asia.[1]

Bahria Town has projects including gated communities in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Murree, Nawabshah and Karachi.[2][3] Most of these communities are large town's in their own right, it's oldest community in Rawalpindi spans over 45,000 square acres.[4] The under-construction Bahria Town Karachi spans over 44,000 acres is the largest privately owned residential community in the country.[5] Combined it's projects have the capacity to home over a million people.[6] Apart from gated towns, the company owns several shopping complexes including the Mall of Lahore and the Mall of Islamabad, chain of cinemas under the brand of Cine Gold, a chain of supermarket's under the banner of Green Vally and skyscraper's including the Bahria Icon Tower, which is the tallest in the country.[7][8] The group employees over 21,000 people.[9]

Other Bahria projects include the under-construction Starwood Golf Club in Islamabad and Pakistan's first Formula 1 racing track.[10][11] The company also owns the Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore, which is the seventh largest in the world, and is constructing the third largest mosque in Karachi.[12][13] The under-construction Bahria Sports City stadium when completed will also be the largest in the country.[14][15] Bahria projects usually house upper middle and high income Pakistanis, these communities have private security, ability to restrict access to non-residents and are energy independent from the national grid.[16][17] Bahria gated communities are home to private schools including those operate by the company, private hospitals, hotels and commercial avenues.[18]

Bahria has been featured by international news agencies and often controversial. According to Emirates 24/7 Bahria Town is 'where Pakistan's new middle class takes refuge from the Taliban attacks and endless power cuts that plague the rest of the country.'[19] GlobalPost claimed that in 2013, Bahria houses some 100,000 people in Rawalpindi alone.[20] Newsweek calls it as Pakistan's Gateway to Paradise.[21] On October 6, 2011, Los Angeles Times refereed Bahria as 'functioning state within a non-functioning one'.[22] Regardless of that Bahria has been subject to controversies, it is referred to as a symbol of inequality, blamed for illegal encroachment of forests and illegal alliance with military.[22]

Islamabad / Rawalpindi

Houses in Bahria Town are usually identical, shown here are villas in Rawalpindi.
Eiffel Tower replica in Bahria Town Phase 8, Rawalpindi

The original project, the gated community has over 100,000 people and has series of projects.

Bahria Enclave

Bahria Enclave Islamabad is a housing scheme launched by Bahria Town in July 2011. It is located approximately 8 km (15 minutes) drive from Chak Shahzad, the Park Road & the Kuri Road with access from Kashmir Highway, Lehtrar Road & Islamabad Highway. On January 31, 2012, Capital Development Authority approved the plan for development of Jinnah Avenue in Zone-IV.[24] The construction project of four-lane road would link main Kuri Road to Kuri Model Village and is awarded to Bahria Town.

Islamabad, May 2, 2013: Bahria Town has signed an MOU agreement with PTCL. As per this agreement PTCL would deploy fiber optic cables in Bahria Enclave within three months time, providing each resident of Bahria Enclave with high speed internet with a bandwidth of 100mb and value added services like telephone, smart TV and VOIP.[25]

Lahore

Mosque in Bahria Lahore.

Bahria Town Lahore

It is a flagship gated community in Lahore.

Mall of Lahore

The Mall of Lahore is a large, state-of-the-art multi-purpose shopping mall complex in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan consisting of a wide range of designer brand outlets. With an area of 650,000 square feet, and over 70 stores, it is the largest shopping complex in Lahore and also one of Pakistan's largest. The shopping centre is a project of the real estate company Bahria Town.[26] The Chief Executive Officer of this mall is Ali Ahmad Riaz Malik. The location of Mall of Lahore is central. It is conveniently accessible by people of Lahore. The presence of various domestic and international brands make it an attraction and a 'must-visit' by visitors from other cities. Security is tightly maintained and that is a driving place for families to stop and shop, unlike open shopping areas in other parts of Lahore.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33]

Karachi

Includes residential and commercial plots, bahria apartments and bahria homes in addition to exclusive block for overseas residents. Situated 9 km from Toll Plaza on Karachi-Hyderabad Super highway. Bahria town Karachi is the most prestigious project of bahria town ever. The bahria town is planned excellently to counter all the problems faced by Karachiites. It is going to have the widest ( 18 lane ) bouleward in world, named Jinnah Avenue with a majestic grand gate house towering higher than 110 feet.

Bahria Icon Tower

Bahria Icon Tower is a skyscraper under construction in Karachi by Bahria Town. The skyscraper after its completion, would be the tallest building in Pakistan. The project was initiated in 2008 after the approval of KBCA and the excavation. Creation of haul routes and foundation works have been undertaken. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. The Bahria Town Icon Tower is a multi use commercial building project. It will be 853 ft. tall and is being constructed on a 1.45 hectares (3.58 acres) area plot located opposite to the Bin Qasim Park in Clifton, Karachi. The structure has been designed as a skyscraper with seven basement parking floors, split upper and lower ground floors and 59 office tower floors as well as a luxury hotel, St Regis Karachi. ArcelorMittal provides sections, decking and their expertise in steel construction. Around 2000 tn of W sections and 72 000 sqm of decking will be supplied by ArcelorMittal for this iconic skyscraper in Pakistan’s largest city.[34]

Bahria Golf City Karachi

Just like Bahria Town's Lahore and Islamabad projects of golf city, it also has launched Golf City Karachi project which is South Asia's first 27 hole PGA standard golf course community. The concept of this one is also same just like Lahore and Islamabad's projects, because in this housing scheme Bahria town is offering luxurious houses to overseas Pakistanis. Prices of these houses are much higher than the usual prices of Bahria town's other projects. Moreover, some sources say that this project is inspired by Emirates Hills Dubai project.[35]

Opal 225 Karachi

Situated opposite Avari Towers Hotel, between Raja Ghazanfar Ali Road and Dr. Daud Pota Road. Opal 225 is a complex of modern mix-used buildings including residential and commercial facilities. It will include apartments, office spaces, shopping mall and a five star hotel, Le Meridian Karachi along with movie theater and a spa. It will have 45 stories and will be completed by 2017.[36][37]

Hoshang Pearl Tower, Karachi

On January 18, 2013, 42-floor Hoshang Tower project was approved by Sindh High Density Development Board. The tower, which costs an estimated Rs 2 billion, is under construction on Hoshang Road. It will be 2.24 million square-feet wide and around 130 meters tall. The building will have three basements and nine parking floors. Bahria Town owns and is building the structure.[38][39]

Under construction projects

New cities

[3]

Electricity

Unlike other housing societies in Pakistan Bahria produces its own electricity and sells it to its resident through the Bahria Town Electric Supply Company. Bahria Town projects in Rawalpindi and Lahore were running respectively 12 and 9 megawatts of generation units of their own. Bahria Town also has constructed 3 grid stations with its own resources and also provides underground lines to its residents.There is no load shedding in Bahria Town projects.[40]

Recognition and awards

After success at national level, Bahria has been featured by international magazines and news agencies, referred to as the prosperous face of Pakistan. According to Emirates 24/7 Bahria Town is 'where Pakistan's new middle class takes refuge from the Taliban attacks and endless power cuts that plague the rest of the country.'[19] GlobalPost claimed that in 2013, Bahria houses some 100,000 people in total.[20] Newsweek calls it as Pakistan's Gateway to Paradise.[21] On October 6, 2011, Los Angeles Times refereed Bahria as 'functioning state within a non-functioning one'.[22] Regardless of that Bahria has been subject to controversies, it is referred to as a symbol of inequality, blamed for illegal encroachment of forests and unholy alliance with military.[22]

Controversies

Bahria has been subject to controversies, it is referred to as a symbol of inequality, blamed for illegal encroachment of forests and unholy alliance with military.[22]

Ayesha Siddiqa, a civilian military analyst and author of "Military Inc: Inside Pakistan Military Economy,"[41] alleges that those links have allowed him to acquire land, in some cases returning a percentage to senior officers as developed plots.[42] Chief Executive of Bahria Town, Ali Riaz Malik has submitted his statement regarding the Arsalan Iftikhar (son of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry) suo moto case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan that Bahria Town was not behind any allegations against Arsalan and that the court’s proceedings were not aimed at investigating the affairs of Bahria Town. The written reply also said that if any statement were made against Bahria Town or against its administration, then the organisation would have the right to respond to it.[43]

In April 2016, Malik Riaz Hussain's son, Ahmed Ali Riaz, was named in the Panama Papers.[44]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Asia’s Largest Real Estate Builder Bahria Town Website". Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  2. ↑ Malik Riaz, Chief Executive of Bahria Town (April 14, 2005). "Housing boom a solution to Pakistan’s problems". Speech given at the NAB conference in Islamabad (Daily Times). Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "bahria town in quetta - Bing images". Bing.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  4. ↑ Dawn.com (2012-06-10). "Profile: Malik Riaz Hussain". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  5. ↑ Asad, Malik (2015-07-02). "Sindh govt allotted 44,000 acres of land to Bahria Town: Rangers". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  6. ↑ "ABOUT BAHRIA TOWN | Bahria Town Islamabad". bahriatownisb.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  7. ↑ "Its Only Business". The Nation. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  8. ↑ "90% work completed of Bahria Town Icon, will be inaugurated today - Pakistan - Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  9. ↑ "Bahria Icon opens for booking - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ "BARMTH provides expensive treatments at nominal charges". Nation.com.pk. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  12. ↑ "Bahria breaks ground on world’s 3rd largest mosque - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  13. ↑ "At Bahria Town mosque: Palestine’s Grand Mufti leads Friday prayer - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  14. ↑ "Cricket stadium: German firm lands Bahria’s contract - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  15. ↑ "Bahria Sports City to feature Pakistan’s largest cricket stadium - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  16. ↑ Hetland, Atle (2014-03-23). "Islamabad — a city only for the rich?". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  17. ↑ "Going up: Bahria Town Islamabad plot prices shoot up by 80% - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  18. ↑ "Welcoming the move: Bahria Town invites PM’s taskforce to its power units - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  19. 1 2 "Pakistani expats’ new realty check - Emirates 24|7". Emirates247.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  20. 1 2 "Happiness for some in Pakistan's gated communities". GlobalPost.com. 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  21. 1 2 "Bahria Town, Gateway to Paradise ‹ Newsweek Pakistan". Newsweekpakistan.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Mark Magnier (2011-10-06). "Pakistan gated community sparks controversy". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  23. ↑ "Starwood Hotel chief visits Bahria Town project". Pakistan Today. 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  24. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Bahria Enclave Islamabad - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". Bahriatown.com. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  26. ↑ "Mall of Lahore - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". Bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  27. ↑ "Park Lane Tower". Btplt.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  28. ↑ "Mall of Lahore, Cantt, Lahore | The Park Lane Tower, Photos, Location". Lahore360.com. 2010-02-13. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  29. ↑ "Mall Of Lahore - another Hub of designers". Fashioncentral.pk. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  30. ↑ "About Mall of Lahore". Malloflahore.pk. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  31. ↑ "Infashion: Ensemble assembly - - DAWN.COM". Archives.dawn.com. 2009-09-13. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  32. ↑ "Winter festival at the Mall of Lahore". Pakistan Today. 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  33. ↑ Taha, Hani (2011-05-25). "Beauty 101". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  34. ↑ "Bahria Icon Tower Karachi - Latest real estate projects in Pakistan". Propertiesinpakistan.pk. 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  35. ↑ "Bahria Golf City Karachi Prices, Location and Details". Abnamro.com.pk. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  36. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Opal 225 Karachi - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". Bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  38. ↑ "Development board approves 42-floor building - The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  39. ↑ "Hoshang Pearl Karachi - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". Bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  40. ↑ "Welcoming the move: Bahria Town invites PM’s taskforce to its power units - The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  41. ↑ Ayesha Siddiqa. Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy. Amazon.com. ISBN 9780745325453. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  42. ↑ Magnier, Mark (October 6, 2011). "Pakistan gated community sparks controversy". Los Angeles Times.
  43. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  44. ↑ Zain, Ali (4 April 2016). "Exposed By Panama Papers: List of Pakistani politicians, businessmen and judges who own offshore companies". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 12 April 2016.

External links

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