DHA Phase VIII
DHA Phase VIII is located in Defence Housing Authority in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Reclamation
The Defence Housing Authority announced its plan to develop Phase VIII as far back as 1987. Phase VIII is made up of mainly reclaimed land from the Arabian Sea and covers an area of over 4,000 acres (16 km2), which is approximately 50% the size of the entire DHA, Karachi. Phase VIII has been called the single largest development being undertaken in Pakistan - in terms of size and foreign investment.
It was only in 1994 that Defence Housing Authority began allotting plots to army officers and announced permission for construction in its first three belts. The first plots were sold for just below 600000 PKR in 1994.
All residential and commercial plots in DHA Phase VIII are now owned by the private sector. Permission for construction has only been granted for a portion of the phase.
Notable developments
Sysmax - a Malaysian firm has developed the DA Golf Club in DHA Phase VIII.
Meinhardt of Singapore is developing the six-star residential project called Creek Marina.
Emaar Pakistan (a subsidiary of Emaar UAE) has plans to launch the 100-acre (0.40 km2) project called Crescent Bay in July 2007.
Defence Housing Authority is currently in talks with several other foreign builders to bring in their expertise and develop the lucrative coastline.
It is the site of the Carlton Hotel (not affiliated with the international Carlton Group) and the affluent Marina Club.
Demography
There are several ethnic groups in Defence Housing Authority including: Muhajirs, Sindhis, Punjabis, Kashmiris, Seraikis, Pakhtuns, Balochis, Bohras, Ismailis, etc. Over 98% of the population is Muslim.
