Islamabad – A Cosmopolitan since Ancient Times

Islamabad is the capital of the sixth most populated country of the world that is Pakistan. It is situated at the foot of Margalla Hills which is itself part of the lesser Himalayan range. Made the capital of Pakistan in 1966, this most advanced city of the country has a population of over 1.5 million now. Historically Islamabad has been a pathway for the invaders and settlers in the Middle East. It was a stop-over for armies of Genghis Khan,Timor, Ahmad Shah Durrani and Alexender the Great.

Hundreds of Buddhists come to Islamabad every year as according to the tradition, Gautam Buddha came to the region and liked it. A large number of Hindus also come to visit the city because of their temples that have been preserved by the government of Pakistan and a number of holy ponds made here by Raja Man Singh in Moghal era. The holy shrine of Pir Mehar Ali Shah is in Golra Sharif near Islamabad and also the shrine of Bari Imam that are visited by thousands of Muslims during the year. According to some reports more than a million people attend the Urs of Bari Imam every year.

Islamabad has some of the most beautiful sites in the whole of the world. Shah Faisal Masjid built here in 1986 with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia is the sixth largest Masjid of the world. Shakkar Parian, Rawal Dam and Daaman-e-Koh are some beautiful sites that all visitors must visit. Jinnah Super Market is just like any international market that is especially popular among tourists as they find both the Western and Pakistani style of products in this market. Some of the best housing societies in the country like Bahria Town Islamabad, DHA Valley Islamabad and Defence Housing Authority mark the apex of living standard in Islamabad.

Rich in history, like all the parts of the country, this city however, is the most modern of all the Pakistani cities. Host of several international events like South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 2005,Islamabad is the center of attention of the world for the last 10 years due to the War on terror being fought in Afghanistan since 2001. The people of Islamabad mostly speak Punjabi while there is a large number of Urdu and Pashto speaking people as well.

In 1998, this city was connected to the first of its kind Motorway in the region. It is a tourists’ heaven with international standard Serena and Marriott hotels and numerous guest houses and rest houses at all rates are available here. The living style of Islamabad is quite similar to the European style as the design of the city was made by Greek firm of architects, Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiad is which designed it in grid style. The city is triangular in shape. If one is a tourist and has no idea where he has to go, all he needs is a vehicle and a list of worth watching places of the city and the sign-boards in the city will do the rest for him.

Plots Auctioned Again, but for Better Profits

The auction held on 6^th April for a plot in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, was cancelled by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) because of some allegations that the bid was not held properly. It was alleged that the CDA’s Management Wing Officials had set the bids lower than what actually was expected. The officials were alleged to have been bribed by the influential bidders in this regard.

However, this decision of canceling the previous auction paid CDA big time as the CDA earned more than 2 billion rupees instead of about 19 billion in the first one. The reserve price of the plots was also revised. The last was once performing during 2005 and 2006 when Islamabad property prices and the property prices all over the country were showing extremely positive trend. The first plot 56-D was auctioned at Rs. 1.33 billion. The highest bid for this plot remained Rs. 262,000 in the previous auction. However, this time up the plot was auctioned at the highest bid of Rs. 272,000 per square yard.

The second plot also was auctioned at a higher rate of Rs. 272,000 per square yard as compared to the previous Rs. 251,000. Price of the plot differed widely between the two auctions as in the first bid; it was auctioned for Rs. 669 million while this time it was auctioned for Rs. 725 million.

DHA City Karachi – What Else Could One Desire For?

Karachi is the largest revenue producing city of Pakistan. According to FBR, Karachi contributes about 58% in the total GDP of the country. The business community of this city has developed a reputation of being vigilant and dynamic. Thousands of visitors and job-seekers come to Karachi every year and the Karachi real estate takes everyone into its lap. As the number of expats has been constantly increasing in the city, the planners have decided to expand the city to its suburbs.

DHA, being the pioneer of alternate lifestyle in Pakistan, has stood every test of time and stands out in the newly developed societies of the city. Another massive project was announced by DHA in 2002 naming DHA city Karachi. This newer version of Defence Housing Authority provides even better living standards than its parent society.

With the first ever wind-mill and solar energy backed electric supply system, DHA City Karachi is all set to set new standards in the field of Real state in Pakistan. The society will be providing uninterrupted water and power supply which will not be dependent on the state run Water And Power Development Authority that will mark the end of dependence on the tanker mafia of the city.

The society gives a diversified plan of living as it offers bungalows, houses, flats and apartments while the education, medical and transportation facilities are of supreme quality. The society has been developed in such a way that it favors the pedestrian and the public transport users. Taking a look at educational facilities of the society, we see that the DHA Suffa University is already operational while the DHA City Karachi International University is planned to be completed within a few years.

Another distinguishing feature of this society is its separate districts for all purposes. The educational district that will have schools, colleges and universities, the business district that will be having markets and offices, the DHA City Karachi Health care City and also the cultural and lakeside parks, and all these together will certainly introduce Pakistanis with the international living standards.

This society has been planned to get completed by 2030 and the plots would be sold in three phases. As the plan is rapidly coming into reality, Pakistanis gradually unveiling its most fabulous housing society that will help Pakistan real estate to take that giant leap which elevates it to the global standards.