# DHA Islamabad review: legal status, possession by phase and prices

URL: https://which.pk/property/islamabad/dha-islamabad/
Author: Ahtisham Imtiaz
Updated: 14 Oct 2026

## Summary

DHA Islamabad is a statutory authority under the federal DHA Islamabad Act 2013, not a CDA or RDA scheme. Phases I, II and V are established, and Phase IV Sectors A to C got possession in June 2022. DHA Valley, now Phase VII, was launched in 2008 and promised for 2011, but possession began only in 2024. On DHA's own benchmark, a 10 marla plot in Phase II Sector A was Rs 2.5 to 2.8 crore in August 2025. Water is rationed by bowser.

DHA Islamabad is on solid legal ground: it is a **statutory authority under a 2013 federal Act**, not a CDA or RDA approval. The safer buy is an allotted plot with possession in Phases I, II, V or IV (A to C). On DHA's own benchmark, a 10 marla plot in Phase II Sector A was **Rs 2.5 to 2.8 crore** in August 2025. Certificates in Phase VI and DHA Valley (now Phase VII) are slower: Valley plots were promised for 2011, and possession began only in 2024.

## Is DHA Islamabad legal, and does it need CDA approval?

Its legal basis is an Act of Parliament, not a CDA or RDA approval. DHA (Defence Housing Authority) Islamabad was created by the **Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Act 2013** (Act XII of 2013, dated 19 March 2013), which counts as in force from 15 August 2010. It was amended by Act XL of 2023.

DHA Rawalpindi is a separate authority under a Punjab law, Act XI of 2013. The two share one Governing Body, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and one set of byelaws. Section 22 of the federal Act carries over all earlier allotments and transfers, and section 21 says the Act doesn't override other laws in force.

The legal risk is in specific projects, not in the authority.

## Which DHA Islamabad phases have possession?

Possession, in DHA's byelaws, means handing over a plot with its four corners marked, so you can build. A ballot is the draw that gives file holders a plot number.

| Phase | Status (latest date we could check) |
|---|---|
| I | Established; 95% of connections on underground power (DHA, undated page) |
| II | About 15,075 kanals; DHA says all sectors are "fully urbanized" |
| III | Development began December 2016; about 3,500 kanals developed (undated) |
| IV | Sectors A, B and C: possession opened 3 June 2022; Sectors E to M trade as both allotment letters and certificates |
| V | Possession pages for Sectors K and J online by early and mid 2024 |
| VI (ex Phase II Extension) | Sectors B-3 and C-2: ceremony set for 13 August 2024; unballoted certificates still traded in August 2025 |
| VII (DHA Valley) | Oleander open by March 2024; Oleander and Magnolia ceremony set for 13 August 2024 |

Agency sites report wider handovers in early 2025, but we found no DHA notice or newspaper report, so we leave them out. Check your exact plot with DHA before you pay.

## What happened with DHA Valley, and is there possession now?

DHA Valley was launched on **18 August 2008**, next to Phase VI, with 5 and 8 marla plots. It was planned partly on Punjab government land at the Dadhocha Dam site near Rawat. A petition to the Supreme Court described it as a joint venture of DHA, Bahria Town and Habib Rafique.

According to NAB's findings, as Dawn reported in January 2016, DHA moved **Rs62bn** collected from buyers to Bahria Town's accounts in 2009, and Bahria failed to develop the scheme. NAB listed DHA Valley among 50 mega land-scam cases before the Supreme Court in 2013. In 2021 a buyer told the Islamabad High Court that plots booked in 2008 were due in 2011 but hadn't been handed over.

As of April 2017, Zameen reported that over 70,000 Valley files had been sold, for room for about 30% of file holders. DHA has since renamed the project **Phase VII**. Possession began sector by sector in 2024: DHA's own Oleander page was online by March 2024, before the formal ceremony in August.

**A certificate is not a plot:** In DHA Islamabad, a certificate or file is a promise of a plot, before a plot number is allotted. An allotment letter is for a numbered plot. In August 2025, non-balloted 5 marla Valley files traded at Rs 14 to 19 lakh, against up to Rs 40 lakh for balloted ones. Phase VI certificates also carry development charges of Rs 6 lakh to Rs 14.65 lakh.

## What are DHA Islamabad plot prices?

We use DHA's own price benchmark (Price Valuation Benchmarking) because it gives prices by phase and sector. Figures are DHA's minimum to maximum, converted from million rupees.

| Plot | Apr 2021 | Apr 2022 | Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase II Sector A, 10 marla | Rs 1.6 to 2 crore | Rs 2.1 to 2.6 crore | Rs 2.5 to 2.8 crore |
| Phase II Sector J, 5 marla | Rs 95 lakh to 1.1 crore | Rs 1.3 to 1.6 crore | Rs 1.45 to 1.65 crore |
| Phase V Sector B, 10 marla | Rs 1.25 to 1.45 crore | Rs 2.3 to 2.5 crore | Rs 2.3 to 2.5 crore |
| DHA Valley 5 marla | Rs 9 to 16 lakh (Bluebell) | Rs 26 to 55 lakh (Bluebell) | Rs 14 to 19 lakh non-balloted; Rs 18 to 40 lakh balloted |
| DHA Valley 8 marla | Rs 12 to 23 lakh (Bluebell) | Rs 35 to 85 lakh (Bluebell) | Rs 26 to 55 lakh balloted |

The 2022 Valley tops are for balloted plots, and the 2025 Valley figures cover all Phase VII sectors. Valley prices peaked around 2022 and were well below that peak in August 2025.

The charts below show the midpoints of DHA's own benchmark ranges for Phase II.

A 5 marla plot in Phase II Sector J went from a midpoint of about Rs 1.03 crore (April 2021) to Rs 1.55 crore (August 2025).

A 10 marla plot in Phase II Sector A went from Rs 1.8 crore to Rs 2.65 crore at the midpoint over the same period, with most of the rise by April 2022.

Zameen's listing index gives much lower figures: a 5 marla average of Rs 79 lakh in August 2026. It pools every DHA Islamabad listing, old phases and new, so a shift in what's listed moves the number. We use it only as a market-wide trend. We couldn't confirm a 2026 DHA benchmark because DHA's live website returns an error to us.

## What are DHA Islamabad possession charges and utilities?

Under DHA's 2022 byelaws (updated 2023), the site plan and possession fee is **Rs 7,500 per marla** for residential plots and Rs 15,000 per marla for commercial ones. A water meter costs **Rs 1.4 lakh** and an electricity meter **Rs 1.6 lakh**, both from DHA.

- **Electricity:** DHA runs its own supply, with a grid station in Phase II since 16 July 2009 and underground supply in Phase I.
- **Gas:** meters come through SNGPL. Gas reached Phase 5 Sectors A, B, C and D in March 2023; we found no dated source for other phases.
- **Water:** DHA supplies it, but said in a June 2023 advisory that "water is already in short supply" and brought in a new bowser complaint system to share it out. Zameen reported in April 2017 that the Dadhocha Dam, near DHA Valley, was delayed.

## How easy is it to resell a DHA Islamabad plot?

Easy for allotted plots. Zameen showed **6,062 plots for sale** in DHA Islamabad on 14 October 2026, and DHA publishes its own price benchmark, most recently for half-month periods. Certificates sell for less: in Phase IV Sectors E to M, a 1 kanal certificate was Rs 70 to 85 lakh in August 2025, against Rs 85 lakh to 1.15 crore with an allotment letter.

## Where is DHA Islamabad?

Phase II sits between GT Road and the Islamabad Highway, about 20 km in a straight line from Zero Point and 12 km from Rawalpindi Saddar. Phases I and IV are along the Soan River, while Phase VI and DHA Valley are further out towards Rawat.

Compare it with [Park View City Islamabad](/property/islamabad/park-view-city-islamabad/) and [Capital Smart City](/property/islamabad/capital-smart-city/), or see our [best housing societies in Islamabad](/property/guides/best-housing-society-islamabad/).

More guides: [DHA Lahore review](/property/lahore/dha-lahore/), [DHA Karachi review](/property/karachi/dha-karachi/) and [how we score societies](/methodology/).

## DHA Islamabad: facts and scorecard

- Approval: DHA approved
- 5 marla plot: Rs 1.55 crore
- Possession: Partly given
- Our score: 7.1/10

- Legal status: 9/10 (Statutory authority under the DHA Islamabad Act 2013; earlier allotments and transfers carried over by Section 22.)
- Possession & development: 7/10 (Phase II is fully urbanised, Phase IV A to C got possession in 2022 and Phase V Sectors J and K by 2024, but DHA Valley, promised for 2011, began possession by sector only in 2024.)
- Price & appreciation: 7/10 (DHA's own benchmark for a 10 marla plot in Phase II Sector A rose from Rs 1.6 to 2 crore (Apr 2021) to Rs 2.5 to 2.8 crore (Aug 2025).)
- Utilities: 6/10 (DHA runs its own power grid since 2009; gas on SNGPL meters but confirmed only for Phase 5 A to D (2023); water rationed by bowser since 2023.)
- Developer track record: 5/10 (Delivered Phases I, II and V, but DHA Valley, launched in 2008 and promised for 2011, ran years late; NAB found Rs62bn of buyer money was moved to Bahria Town in 2009.)
- Location: 7/10 (Phase II is about 20 km in a straight line from Zero Point and 12 km from Rawalpindi Saddar; newer phases are further out towards Rawat.)
- Resale liquidity: 9/10 (6,062 plots listed on Zameen (Oct 2026) and DHA's own price benchmark by phase and sector.)

**Suits:** Buyers who want a statutory, well-established society in Islamabad, buying an allotted plot with possession in Phases I, II or V, or Phase IV Sectors A to C.

**Avoid if:** You're buying a certificate or file in Phase VI or DHA Valley expecting quick possession.

**Main risks:** DHA Valley (now Phase VII) was promised for 2011; possession started by sector only in 2024. DHA said in June 2023 that water was short and began rationing bowser deliveries. Phase VI certificates carry extra development charges of Rs 6 lakh to Rs 14.65 lakh.

## Questions people ask

### Is DHA Islamabad approved by CDA?

Its legal basis isn't a CDA approval. DHA Islamabad is a statutory authority created by the federal Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Act 2013, and DHA Rawalpindi has its own Punjab Act of 2013. Both are run by one Governing Body.

### What is the possession status of DHA Valley?

DHA now calls DHA Valley Phase VII. Possession of Oleander sector was open by March 2024, and a possession ceremony for Oleander and Magnolia was set for 13 August 2024. Plots booked in 2008 had been due in 2011.

### What are DHA Islamabad possession charges?

Under DHA's 2022 byelaws (updated 2023), the site plan and possession fee is Rs 7,500 per marla for residential plots and Rs 15,000 per marla for commercial ones. A water meter costs Rs 1.4 lakh and an electricity meter Rs 1.6 lakh.

### Has possession been given in DHA Phase 6 Islamabad?

In part. A possession ceremony for Phase 6 Sectors B-3 and C-2 was set for 13 August 2024. In August 2025, DHA's own price benchmark still listed unballoted 1 kanal certificates in Phase 6.

### How much is a 10 marla plot in DHA Islamabad?

It depends on the phase. DHA's benchmark for 1 to 15 August 2025 put 10 marla in Phase II Sector A at Rs 2.5 to 2.8 crore and in Phase V Sector B at Rs 2.3 to 2.5 crore.

## Sources

- [Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Act, 2013 (Act No XII of 2013)](https://pakistancode.gov.pk/english/UY2FqaJw1-apaUY2Fqa-apaUY2FqbJc%3D-sg-jjjjjjjjjjjjj), Pakistan Code (Ministry of Law and Justice) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Revised Byelaws & Regulations 2022 (Updated 2023)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250810061059/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/static/DHA_byelaws/DHAbyelaws.pdf), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Price Valuation Benchmarking, 1-15 Aug 2025](https://web.archive.org/web/20250810061118/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/media/pvbm/PVBM_1-15_Aug_2025_Final_-.pdf), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi, DHA Property Exchange (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Price Valuation Benchmarking, 1-30 April 2022](https://web.archive.org/web/20220418221522/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/storage/app/media/PVBM-Apr-2022.pdf), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi, DHA Property Exchange (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Price Valuation Benchmarking, 01 to 30 April 2021](https://web.archive.org/web/20210509095409/https://dhai-r.com.pk/storage/app/media/PVBM-Apr-2021.pdf), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi, DHA Property Exchange (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Phase Detail: DHA Valley](https://web.archive.org/web/20240119034457/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/phase-detail/dha-valley), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Possession of Plots, DHA Phase VII](https://web.archive.org/web/20240308213713/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/possession-plots-dha-phase-vii), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Possession Ceremony of Plots Sector A, B & C Phase IV](https://web.archive.org/web/20230927083033/https://dhai-r.com.pk/blog/post/possession-ceremony-plots-sector-b-c-phase-iv-dha-rawalpindi), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Phase Detail pages: Phase I, II, III, IV](https://web.archive.org/web/20240119034441/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/phase-detail/phase-iv), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Possession of Residential Plots Sector K, Phase V](https://web.archive.org/web/20240223204739/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/possession-residential-plots-sector-k-phase-v), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Advisory on Water Bowzer](https://web.archive.org/web/20240119034353/https://www.dhai-r.com.pk/blog/post/advisory-water-bowzer), DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (Wayback copy) (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- ['COAS green-lighted NAB action in DHA Valley scam'](https://www.dawn.com/news/1232218), Dawn (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Another petition lands in IHC against DHA](https://www.dawn.com/news/1622318), Dawn (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [DHAI-R commences gas supply in Phase 5](https://www.zameen.com/news/gas-supply-dhai-r-phase-5.html), Zameen News (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [DHAI-R to conduct possession ceremony soon](https://www.zameen.com/news/dhai-rwp-to-conduct-possession-ceremony-soon.html), Zameen News (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Dadhocha Dam delayed: what does it mean for DHA Valley?](https://www.zameen.com/blog/dadhocha-dam-delayed-what-does-it-mean-for-dha-valley.html), Zameen Blog (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Residential plot price index, DHA Defence Islamabad, 5 marla](https://www.zameen.com/index/buy/residential_plots/islamabad/dha_defence-3188/5-marla/), Zameen.com (accessed 14 Oct 2026)
- [Residential plot price index, DHA Valley, 5 marla](https://www.zameen.com/index/buy/residential_plots/islamabad/dha_valley-1333/5-marla/), Zameen.com (accessed 14 Oct 2026)