# DHA Lahore review: legal status, prices by phase and what to watch

URL: https://which.pk/property/lahore/dha-lahore/
Author: Ahtisham Imtiaz
Updated: 7 Oct 2026

## Summary

DHA Lahore is a statutory authority under a 2002 federal order, so it approves its own plans and LDA approval doesn't apply. Across all phases, a 5 marla plot averaged about Rs 1.1 crore in asking prices in September 2026, up 66% since 2021. Phases 1 to 8 are developed and on the gas network; newer phases are partly possessed, and Phase 10 hadn't been balloted as of 2024. It has the deepest resale market in Lahore, but files in unballoted phases aren't plots yet.

DHA Lahore is the safest title in Lahore on the record: it's a **statutory authority** under a 2002 federal order and approves its own plans, so **LDA approval doesn't apply**. Across all phases, a 5 marla plot averaged about **Rs 1.1 crore** in asking prices in September 2026. Phases 1 to 8 are built and connected; newer phases are partly possessed. The main risk isn't the law, it's buying a **file** in a phase that hasn't been balloted.

## Is DHA Lahore legal?

Yes. DHA Lahore was set up under **Chief Executive's Order No. 26 of 2002**, published in the Gazette of Pakistan on 19 September 2002, which replaced the 1999 Punjab ordinance. DHA's own 2026 building regulations cite it. DHA approves building plans itself, so you won't find it on LDA's list, and that's normal.

A 2019 opinion piece in The Friday Times questioned how the original cooperative society was taken over in 2002, but not the order's legal force today.

## Has possession been given?

| Phases | Status |
|---|---|
| 1 to 6 | Fully developed |
| 7 and 8 | Largely developed, on the gas network |
| 9 Town | Blocks A to D since July 2015; Block E since May 2023 |
| 9 Prism | Sector by sector since May 2022; still opening in September 2026 |
| 11 Rahbar | Sectors I to IV have possession; Sector V still being merged |
| 10 | Not balloted as of May 2024 |

DHA's [possession page](https://dhalahore.org/possession/) lists each opening by plot number, so check your exact plot there. See also [DHA 9 Town vs Prism](/property/compare/dha-9-town-vs-prism/) and our [DHA Rahbar review](/property/lahore/dha-rahbar/).

**A file is not a plot:** In a phase that hasn't been balloted, you're buying a promise of a plot, with no plot number yet. Check the ballot status of the exact phase before you pay, and price in the wait.

## What does a plot cost?

These are Zameen's asking-price averages across all DHA phases, so they mix old and new phases.

A 5 marla plot rose from about Rs 66 lakh (June 2021) to about Rs 1.1 crore (September 2026), up **66%**. Established phases cost far more: Phase 6 alone averaged about **Rs 1.26 crore** for 5 marla in September 2026.

A 10 marla plot went from about Rs 1.25 crore to about Rs 2.14 crore over the same period, up **72%**. Compare with Bahria Town in [DHA vs Bahria Town Lahore](/property/compare/dha-vs-bahria-town-lahore/).

## Gas, electricity and water

The established phases (1 to 4 and 6 to 8) are on **SNGPL's gas network**, as an SNGPL shutdown notice in September 2026 shows, and on the **LESCO** grid with underground cabling. Phase 6 has its own water filtration plant (2019). We found no official confirmation of utilities in Phase 9 Prism, 10 or 13.

## Who runs it, and has anything gone wrong?

DHA has delivered and populated many phases over decades. Its documented failures came through **partner projects**:

- **DHA City Lahore** stalled after partner Globaco failed to acquire the land; NAB opened a case and more than 11,000 people were affected.
- In **January 2019**, the Supreme Court declared DHA's agreements with **Eden Housing** void and ordered DHA to develop 11,000 Eden plots within five years. We couldn't confirm whether those buyers have since been settled.

## How easy is it to resell?

Easier than anywhere else in Lahore on listing numbers: Zameen showed **12,619 plots for sale** in DHA on 7 October 2026, nearly seven times Bahria Town's 1,883. DHA has a formal transfer process: **Rs 10,000 per marla** in Phases I to XII (schedule from 15 October 2024), half if both parties are members. Unbuilt plots also carry annual non-utilisation fees.

## Where is it?

The established phases sit around Lahore Cantonment near Gulberg, about **15 minutes from the airport**. Newer phases run out towards the Ring Road, Bedian Road and Ferozepur Road. See all [Lahore reviews](/property/lahore/) and [how we score societies](/methodology/).

## DHA Lahore: facts and scorecard

- Approval: DHA approved
- 5 marla plot: Rs 1.1 crore
- Possession: Partly given
- Our score: 7.4/10

- Legal status: 9/10 (Statutory authority under CE Order No. 26 of 2002 that approves its own plans; files in unballoted phases carry separate risk.)
- Possession & development: 7/10 (Phases 1-8 developed, 9 Town since 2015, Prism opening sector by sector since 2022 (DHA notices); Phase 10 not balloted as of May 2024.)
- Price & appreciation: 7/10 (All-phase asking index up 66% (5 marla) and 72% (10 marla) from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026.)
- Utilities: 7/10 (Established phases on SNGPL gas and the LESCO grid; utilities in newer phases unconfirmed.)
- Developer track record: 6/10 (Has delivered many phases over decades; partner projects DHA City (Globaco) and Eden failed, with the Supreme Court voiding the Eden deals in 2019.)
- Location: 8/10 (Established phases near Cantt and Gulberg, about 15 minutes from the airport; newer phases further out.)
- Resale liquidity: 8/10 (12,619 plots listed on Zameen (Oct 2026), the deepest market in Lahore, with a formal transfer process.)

**Suits:** Buyers who put legal certainty, location and resale first and can pay roughly 40% more than Bahria Town for the same plot size.

**Avoid if:** You are buying a file in a phase without possession and need a plot you can build on soon.

**Main risks:** Files in newer phases (such as Phase 10) are not plots on the ground yet. Prices vary widely by phase; the averages here mix old and new phases. Holding costs: transfer fees and annual non-utilisation fees on unbuilt plots.

## Questions people ask

### Is DHA Lahore approved by LDA?

It doesn't need to be. DHA Lahore is a statutory authority set up under Chief Executive's Order No. 26 of 2002 and approves building plans under its own regulations.

### How much is a 5 marla plot in DHA Lahore?

Zameen's asking-price index for all DHA phases averaged about Rs 1.1 crore in September 2026. Established phases cost much more: Phase 6 averaged about Rs 1.26 crore.

### Which DHA Lahore phases have possession?

Phases 1 to 8 are developed. Phase 9 Town has had possession since 2015 (Block E since 2023). Phase 9 Prism has opened sector by sector since May 2022, Phase 11 Rahbar's Sectors I to IV have possession, and Phase 10 hadn't been balloted as of May 2024.

### What is the DHA Lahore transfer fee?

Under DHA's schedule effective 15 October 2024, Rs 10,000 per marla in Phases I to XII, half that if both buyer and seller are members.

### Has DHA Lahore had project failures?

Yes, through partner projects. DHA City Lahore stalled after its partner failed to buy the land, and in 2019 the Supreme Court voided DHA's agreements with Eden Housing.

## Sources

- [DHA Construction & Development Regulations 2026](https://dhalahore.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Updated-DHA-Const-Dev-Byelaws-2026.pdf), DHA Lahore (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [About us](https://dhalahore.org/about-us/), DHA Lahore (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Dues on services w.e.f. 15 Oct 2024](https://dhalahore.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Revision-in-Dues-Oct-2024.pdf), DHA Lahore (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Residential plot price index, DHA Defence Lahore](https://www.zameen.com/index/buy/residential_plots/lahore/dha-defence-9/5-marla), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Residential plot price index, DHA Phase 6](https://www.zameen.com/index/buy/residential_plots/lahore/dha-phase-6-1448/5-marla), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Plots for sale in DHA Defence, Lahore](https://www.zameen.com/Plots/Lahore_DHA_Defence-9-1.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Possession (opening notices)](https://dhalahore.org/possession/), DHA Lahore (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [DHA hands over possession in DHA Town Phase IX](https://www.zameen.com/news/dha-hands-over-possession-in-dha-town-phase-ix.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Opening of possession of plots in Sec Q & R, Prism Ph-9](https://dhalahore.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sec-Q-R-Ph-IX-Prism-13-05-2022.pdf), DHA Lahore (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [DHA Phase 10 Lahore](https://www.graana.com/blog/dha-phase-10-lahore/), Graana.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [DHA Phase 11 (Halloki Gardens) area guide](https://zameen.com/area-guides/lahore/dha-defence/dha-phase-11---halloki-gardens-3025), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Best phase in DHA Lahore: analysis for 10 marla plots](https://zameen.com/blog/best-phase-dha-lhr-analysis-10-marla-plot.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [SNGPL announces emergency gas shutdown in Lahore areas](https://www.techjuice.pk/sngpl-announces-emergency-gas-shutdown-in-lahore-areas/), TechJuice (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [SC terms DHA-Eden Housing Society agreements void](https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/01-Jan-2019/sc-terms-dha-eden-housing-society-agreements-void), Daily Pakistan (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [An important update on DHA City Lahore](https://www.zameen.com/news/an-important-update-on-dha-city-lahore.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [How DHAs became the most powerful housing societies of Pakistan](https://thefridaytimes.com/24-May-2019/how-dhas-became-the-most-powerful-housing-societies-of-pakistan), The Friday Times (opinion) (accessed 7 Oct 2026)