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. 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. Currently DHA is considered a Muhajir community. 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 The 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 to by Secretary, Chief Engineer, Directors and a committed workforce to ensure the smooth running of the organization. The functioning of the authority is vested in the two bodies: the governing body headed by the Secretary Ministry of Defence and the 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, Phases 1-8 and DHA CITY which is located on the M-9 motorway. Each phase is 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 the north of Karachi