DHA Gandhara Islamabad (Phase 9 / DHA Gandhara City) is a master-planned community by Habib Rafiq Ltd. + Army Welfare Trust (AWT) spanning 32,500 Kanal along the M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway.
The project sits directly next to Capital Smart City Islamabad, shares a physical border with CSC's Overseas Prime 2 sub-block, and is marketed under the DHA Islamabad umbrella. Confirm that directly with DHA Islamabad and obtain the NOC before paying, since the DHA name is used in the marketing of several projects.
The master plan is designed by Surbana Jurong (Singapore): the same urban-planning firm engaged on Capital Smart City. This guide covers the developer partnership as marketed, the stated DHA approval framework, location and travel times, plot sizes with dimensions and indicative cash pricing, the official 18-month 1 Kanal installment schedule (PKR 5.5M cash vs PKR 7.45M installments), full amenities map, neighbouring communities, and our honest read on where DHA Gandhara fits in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi catchment.
Quick answers
- Authority
- Marketed under DHA Islamabad umbrella: verify NOC
- Developer
- Habib Rafiq Ltd. + Army Welfare Trust (AWT)
- Master planner
- Surbana Jurong (Singapore): same firm as Capital Smart City
- Location
- M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway · shares border with Capital Smart City
- Area
- 32,500 Kanal
- Plot sizes
- 5 Marla (25×50 ft) · 10 Marla (35×70 ft) · 1 Kanal (50×90 ft)
- 1 Kanal price (cash)
- PKR 5,500,000
- 1 Kanal price (installments)
- PKR 7,450,000: 18-month schedule (cash saves PKR 1.95M / 26%)
DHA Gandhara Phase 9: DHA approval framework
DHA Gandhara operates under the institutional framework of DHA Islamabad. The Defence Housing Authority body that has historically operated Pakistan's most price-stable and trusted housing societies. If the project is covered by DHA Islamabad's approvals, that would be a meaningful regulatory anchor, but we have not verified this. Ask for the NOC and check it with DHA Islamabad directly.
The Habib Rafiq + AWT consortium is described in the project's marketing as a partnership between a developer associated with Capital Smart City and Lahore Smart City and the Army Welfare Trust. We have not verified the partnership terms, so ask for documents that show who is legally selling the plots.
Location and travel times
DHA Gandhara sits on the M-2 Motorway, directly next to Capital Smart City Islamabad. The location triangulates Islamabad city, Rawalpindi city, and the New Islamabad International Airport, with approximate travel times from the developer's materials (not measured by us):
- Rawalpindi Ring Road: 5 minutes
- Islamabad International Airport: 7 minutes
- Chakri Interchange: 10 minutes
- Srinagar Highway: 22 minutes
- Faisal Mosque: 25 minutes
- Fateh Jang Toll Plaza: 25 minutes
- Pakistan Monument: 30 minutes
- Centaurus Mall: 30 minutes
The airport access time is a developer estimate; test the route yourself before relying on it.
Plot sizes and dimensions
DHA Gandhara offers three residential plot categories with standardised dimensions:
| Plot Size | Dimensions | Area | Indicative Cash Price (unverified) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Marla | 25 × 50 ft | 1,125 sq ft | PKR 18-20 Lac |
| 10 Marla | 35 × 70 ft | 2,250 sq ft | PKR 30-35 Lac |
| 1 Kanal | 50 × 90 ft | 4,500 sq ft | PKR 55-62 Lac |
1 Kanal payment plan: cash vs 18-month installments
DHA Gandhara's 1 Kanal pricing splits into two clear tracks: PKR 5,500,000 cash or PKR 7,450,000 across 18 monthly installments (with 6 additional quarterly tranches). The cash buyer saves PKR 1,950,000: a 26% discount versus the installment route. For buyers with capital available, the cash route is materially advantaged.
Headline pricing
18-month installment schedule (1 Kanal)
The PKR 7.45M installment plan breaks down across an 18-month base schedule with 6 additional quarterly tranches stacked on top. Booking requires PKR 2,235,000 down payment (30%). Each subsequent monthly is PKR 235,000, with quarterly tranches of PKR 400,000 (final tranche PKR 395,000) added at months 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18.
| # | Installment | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Booking (30% Down Payment) | PKR 2,235,000 |
| 2 | 1st Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 3 | 2nd Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 4 | 3rd Monthly + 1st Quarterly | PKR 400,000 |
| 5 | 4th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 6 | 5th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 7 | 6th Monthly + 2nd Quarterly | PKR 400,000 |
| 8 | 7th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 9 | 8th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 10 | 9th Monthly + 3rd Quarterly | PKR 400,000 |
| 11 | 10th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 12 | 11th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 13 | 12th Monthly + 4th Quarterly | PKR 400,000 |
| 14 | 13th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 15 | 14th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 16 | 15th Monthly + 5th Quarterly | PKR 400,000 |
| 17 | 16th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 18 | 17th Monthly | PKR 235,000 |
| 19 | 18th Monthly + 6th Quarterly | PKR 395,000 |
| ∑ | Total (1 Kanal installment plan) | PKR 7,450,000 |
5 Marla and 10 Marla plots follow similar percentage structures with proportionally smaller absolute amounts: contact our research desk for the exact category-specific payment plan PDF.
Amenities and master plan
DHA Gandhara's master plan integrates a complete suite of community amenities:
- Central mosque
- Main boulevard + carpeted roads + wide streets
- Parking areas + commercial plazas + shopping mall
- Health club + community club + fitness spaces
- Eco-friendly design + advanced sewerage system
- Graveyard
- 24/7 electricity, gas, and water
- Educational institutes at Cambridge International Examination standards
- Health services + family parks + sports grounds
- Modern security infrastructure
Developers: Habib Rafiq Ltd. + Army Welfare Trust
The project is marketed as a partnership between Habib Rafiq Ltd. and the Army Welfare Trust (AWT).
Habib Rafiq Ltd. is associated in marketing with Capital Smart City Islamabad and Lahore Smart City. The role AWT plays, and whether it gives DHA-umbrella standing, should be confirmed in writing.
Ask both parties, not only the sales team, to confirm the arrangement.
How to book a plot in DHA Gandhara
The booking steps below are the ones the project describes; confirm them with the official sales office:
- Submit your application form along with required documents
- Submit CNIC copy and 2 passport-size photographs
- Submit next-of-kin CNIC copy
- Submit the booking amount via pay order or cheque in favour of the payee named on the official payment schedule (confirm it in writing)
- Receive booking confirmation and payment schedule
Neighbouring communities
DHA Gandhara sits within a cluster of significant Islamabad-Rawalpindi developments:
- Capital Smart City Overseas Prime 2 sub-block: shares physical border
- DHA Phase 2, 6, 7 Islamabad: mature DHA-umbrella sister phases
- Blue World City (separate developer)
- Faisal Town Phase 2
- Rudn Enclave
- New Islamabad International Airport (7 minutes)
- Rawalpindi Ring Road (5 minutes)
Wider Islamabad corridor context
For buyers comparing DHA Gandhara against the broader Islamabad-Rawalpindi market, our coverage includes the immediate-neighbour Capital Smart City Islamabad, same developer partnership, neighbouring location, and the wider Islamabad housing societies directory. The mature DHA Islamabad phases offer the closest analog for how DHA-umbrella schemes mature over 5-10 year horizons.
Plots for sale: current inventory
Below is the current DHA Gandhara inventory routed through our research desk. All prices follow the official Habib Rafiq + AWT payment plan. To verify allotment status, sector availability, and book a plot, WhatsApp our research desk at +971 52 804 3509.
How DHA Gandhara compares to peer schemes
DHA Gandhara's closest peer is Capital Smart City Islamabad, on the same M-2 Motorway corridor. CSC is positioned as a smart city; DHA Gandhara is marketed under the DHA brand. Verify the approvals of each separately. The choice between them typically comes down to whether the buyer prioritizes the DHA brand (resale liquidity, lifestyle community signals) or the smart-city positioning (infrastructure thesis, technology integration). Against the Lahore priority pages, Lahore Smart City, Capital Valley, Zam Zam City, DHA Gandhara sits in a different city and serves Islamabad/Rawalpindi axis demand rather than the Lahore market. City anchor (work, family, schools) is the dominant decision factor when comparing across these cities.
The honest read
DHA Gandhara's investment case sits on three durable positives. First, the project is marketed under the DHA Islamabad umbrella; if confirmed, that is a meaningful regulatory anchor, but it must be verified.
Second, the project is marketed with the Habib Rafiq and AWT partnership, which should be confirmed in writing. Third, the M-2 location adjacent to Capital Smart City creates direct comparable-pricing benchmark. Buyers can compare entry prices with nearby listings, though prices change.
The risks to weigh: this is a newer launch, so on-ground development is at earlier stages than the comparable CSC sectors: possession timelines apply for buyers, not immediate use.
The cash-vs-installments spread is 26%, which is significant. Installment-route buyers should plan for the absolute premium to be absorbed in long-term land-value appreciation rather than short-term resale.
Resale liquidity for newly launched projects can take time to develop.
Suitability map: DHA Gandhara suits buy-and-hold investors with capital available for cash entry (capturing the 26% discount); overseas Pakistani buyers who verify the approvals themselves; and families planning a 5-10 year build timeline as the broader CSC + Gandhara corridor matures.
It suits less well: short-term flippers, installment-only buyers without cash buffer for periodic catch-up payments, or buyers expecting immediate possession.
Before you book: verification checklist
- Request the DHA Gandhara NOC and confirm it directly with DHA Islamabad
- Confirm the specific plot number against the latest official Surbana Jurong site plan
- Verify the current indicative cash price for your chosen plot size (rates move periodically)
- For 1 Kanal installment plan: read the booking schedule carefully. Penalties for missed installments are real
- Confirm balloting and possession schedule for your chosen sector before committing
- Pay only via pay order or cheque in favour of the payee named on the official schedule (confirm in writing): never cash
- Verify all next-of-kin documentation is in order before signing the booking application
Frequently asked questions
Is DHA Gandhara Islamabad approved?
The project is marketed as operating under the DHA Islamabad umbrella, but we have not verified its approvals. Request the NOC and confirm it directly with DHA Islamabad before paying.
Where is DHA Gandhara Islamabad located?
DHA Gandhara sits directly on the M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, sharing a physical border with Capital Smart City Islamabad's Overseas Prime 2 sub-block. Developer-estimated travel times include 5 minutes to Rawalpindi Ring Road, 7 minutes to Islamabad International Airport, 10 minutes to Chakri Interchange, and 30 minutes to Pakistan Monument.
What plot sizes does DHA Gandhara offer?
Three residential categories: 5 Marla (25×50 ft, 1,125 sq ft), 10 Marla (35×70 ft, 2,250 sq ft), and 1 Kanal (50×90 ft, 4,500 sq ft). Confirm exact dimensions against the approved site plan.
What is the 1 Kanal price in DHA Gandhara?
Two tracks: PKR 5,500,000 cash, or PKR 7,450,000 on the 18-month installment plan with 30% booking (PKR 2,235,000) plus monthly and quarterly tranches. The cash buyer saves PKR 1,950,000: a 26% discount versus the installment route.
Who are the developers of DHA Gandhara?
The project is a joint development of Habib Rafiq Ltd. (the same construction company that built Capital Smart City Islamabad and Lahore Smart City) and the Army Welfare Trust (AWT), as marketed. The master plan is credited to Surbana Jurong, Singapore; confirm this with the developer.
How do I book a plot in DHA Gandhara?
Submit your application form, CNIC copy, 2 passport-size photos, next-of-kin CNIC copy, and the booking amount via pay order or cheque in favour of the payee on the official schedule (confirm in writing). The developer issues booking confirmation and payment schedule after document verification.
Is DHA Gandhara a good investment in 2026?
Points in its favour as marketed: M-2 motorway frontage and a border with Capital Smart City. Approvals and developer arrangements must be verified first. Best suited to buy-and-hold investors with 5-10 year horizons. Cash prices are lower than the installment total quoted by the developer; confirm both figures in writing.
How far is Islamabad Airport from DHA Gandhara?
The developer quotes about 7 minutes to Islamabad International Airport; test the route yourself.
For broader context, see our coverage of Motorway City.