Defence Housing Authority, Karachi
The Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi (), formerly Pakistan Defence Officers Cooperative Housing Society, is a residential neighbourhood or a housing society located within Clifton Cantonment of Karachi, Pakistan. 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. Although part of Karachi City, Defence is actually governed directly by the Clifton Cantonment Board. The DHA body serves as the administrative authority only. History. Defence 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 and provides civic facilities to millions of residents. The efforts to  develop DHA have been fruitful, signified by growth oriented high class living values The housing projects are planned to cover every aspect of healthy living and contain parks, educational institutions and clubs. The organizational matters are attended by Secretary, Chief Engineer, Directors and a committed and work force to ensure smooth running of the organization. The functioning of the authority is vested in the two bodies: the governing body headed by Secretary Ministry of Defence and 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. Subdivisions. Defence is divided into 9 subdivisions namely phase 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and DHA CITY which is located on the M-9 motorway, each phase being 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 north of karachi  city in District Malir . Housing plots range from five marla (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 I. In recent times, there were several complaints against encroachments in phase 6 at Khayaban e seher adjacent to commercial area. Houses were built on 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 end 2021. Transport. System of streets and lanes. 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.