DEFENCE Housing Authority Karachi was initially established as Defence Officers Cooperative Housing Society by retired officers of the armed forces in the 1950s.

In 1980 Gen Ziaul Haq changed the society into Defence Housing Authority and placed it under Corps Commander V Corps. This changed the legal status and the very complexion of this society.

Previously all accounts were presented to the general body meeting and all office-bearers were elected. After it became an authority, the residents lost all their rights and privileges and were treated like subjects.

There was no accountability and a bureaucratic working style prevailed. The balance-sheet of accounts was never shown to the residents and a serving brigadier was posted as the administrator.

In view of the poor performance of Karachi DHA and a blatant violation of residents’ rights, it is requested that Karachi DHA should be reverted to its original status of Defence Officers Cooperative Housing Society.

Air Commodore (retd) Khayyam Durrani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2020