Bahria Town

This article is about the Rawalpindi based real-estate company. For the neighbourhoods named Bahria Town's see, see Bahria Town Rawalpindi and Bahria Town Karachi.
Bahria Town Private Limited.
Private
Industry Real estate, Gated community, Hospitality
Founded Bahria Town Foundation
Founder Malik Riaz Hussain
Headquarters Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Products Town
Commercial area
Plots
House
Villa
Restaurants
Hotel
Golf clubs
Hospitals
Revenue Increase US$10 billion (2015)
Total assets Increase US$20 billion (2015)
Number of employees
 550,000 (2016)
Website http://www.bahriatown.com/

Bahria Town (Urdu: بحریہ ٹاؤن‎) is a Rawalpindi-based privately-owned real-estate development company which owns, develops and manages properties across Pakistan. It is the largest private real estate company in Asia.[1]

Founded in late-1990s, it established its first gated community in southern Rawalpindi on the Grand Trunk Road, which by mid-2000s had expanded into nine phases divided into two compounds.[2] Its second gated community opened in Lahore, which is influenced by Greco-Roman culture, and is build in Southern Lahore. In 2015, it launched the Bahria Town Karachi, the largest of its gated communities, while Bahria Enclave Islamabad (launched in 2013) is the smallest of them.[3][4] Most of these communities are large towns in their own right, its oldest community in Rawalpindi spans over 40,000 square acres.[5] The under-construction Bahria Town Karachi spans over 44,000 acres is the largest privately owned residential community in the country.[6] Combined, its projects have the capacity to house over a million people.[7]

Apart from gated towns, the company owns several shopping complexes including the Mall of Lahore and the under-construction Mall of Islamabad, chain of cinemas under the brand of Cine Gold, a chain of supermarkets under the banner of Green Valley Hypermarket and skyscrapers including the Bahria Icon Tower, which is the tallest in South Asia.[8][9][10][11] With over 100,000 employees, the group also is the developer of Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore, which is the seventh largest in the world, and is constructing the third largest mosque in Karachi.[12][13][14] The under-construction Rafi Cricket Stadium stadium when completed will also be the largest in the country.[15][16] On November 2016, Bahria entered into a contract with Hyatt to develop four properties across Pakistan, including two golf resort's, worth combined $600 million. The properties would be owned by Bahria.[17]

Bahria projects usually house upper middle and high income Pakistanis, these communities have private security, ability to restrict access to non-residents and are energy independent from the national grid.[18][19] Bahria gated communities are home to private schools including those operate by the company, private hospitals, hotels and commercial avenues.[20] Bahria has been featured by international news agencies'[21] GlobalPost claimed that in 2013, Bahria houses some 100,000 people in Rawalpindi alone.[22] Newsweek calls it as Pakistan's Gateway to Paradise.[23] On October 6, 2011, Los Angeles Times refereed Bahria as 'functioning state within a non-functioning one'.[24] Regardless of that Bahria has been subject to controversies, it is referred to as a symbol of inequality, blamed for illegal encroachment of forests and illegal alliance with military.[24]

Gated Communties

Houses in Bahria Town are usually identical, shown here are villas in Rawalpindi.
Eiffel Tower replica in Bahria Town Phase 8, Rawalpindi

Bahria Town Rawalpindi

The original project, the gated community has over 100,000 people and has series of projects. It is divided into various phases and smaller projects. Unlike other housing societies in Pakistan, Bahria produces its own electricity and sells it to its resident through the Bahria Town Electric Supply Company. Bahria Town projects in Rawalpindi and Lahore were running respectively 12 and 9 megawatts of generation units of their own. Bahria Town also has constructed 3 grid stations with its own resources and also provides underground lines to its residents.There is no load shedding in Bahria Town projects.[25]

Bahria Enclave Islamabad

Bahria Enclave Islamabad is a housing scheme launched by Bahria Town in July 2011. It is located approximately 8 km (15 minutes) drive from Chak Shahzad, the Park Road & the Kuri Road with access from Kashmir Highway, Lehtrar Road & Islamabad Highway. On January 31, 2012, Capital Development Authority approved the plan for development of Jinnah Avenue in Zone-IV.[26] The construction project of four-lane road would link main Kuri Road to Kuri Model Village and is awarded to Bahria Town.[27]

Mosque in Bahria Lahore.

Bahria Town Lahore

It is a flagship gated community in Lahore. The community is home to the Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore which is the seventh largest mosque in the world which has a total capacity of 70,000 people.[28]

Bahria Town Karachi

Includes residential and commercial plots, bahria apartments and bahria homes in addition to exclusive block for overseas residents. Situated 9 km from Toll Plaza on Karachi-Hyderabad Super highway. Bahria town Karachi is the most prestigious project of bahria town ever. The bahria town is planned excellently to counter all the problems faced by Karachiites. It is going to have the widest ( 18 lane ) bouleward in world, named Jinnah Avenue with a majestic grand gate house towering higher than 110 feet.

Bahria Golf City

Under-construction golf themed gated community which includes an Hyatt Gold Resort.[29]

Shopping Malls

Shopping Malls Information
Mall of Lahore 650,000 square feet commercial space, houses over 70 stores
Mall of Islamabad Under-construction mixed-use high rise 25-story tower in Blue Area, Islamabad
Mall of Karachi Located within the Bahria Icon Tower in Karachi.

Skyscrapers

Name Height Details Timeline
Bahria Icon Tower[30] 853 ft. (62 floors) Tallest building in Pakistan, based on a 1.45 hectares plot in Clifton. Topped out
Opal 225, Karachi 45 floors Mixed use development, include apartments, office spaces, shopping mall and a five star hotel, Le Meridian Karachi. Services by RWDI.[31][32] TBC 2017
Hoshang Pearl, Karachi 130 meters tall (31-floor) Residential tower.[33][34] TBC 2017
Mall of Islamabad 25 floor Mixed-use high rise 25-story tower in Blue Area, Islamabad.[35] TBC 2017
Bahria Town Tower, Karachi 275 ft (24 floor) Mixed-use, includes shopping mall and apartments.[36] Constructed

Hospitality

On November 14, 2016, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Bahria Town Group entered into agreement in Abu Dhabi to develop four properties in Pakistani worth over $600 million. All properties are under-construction as of 2016.[17][37][38]

Property Details[17]
Grand Hyatt Islamabad 400 guestrooms with 18-hole golf course located within Bahria Golf City designed by Beame Architectural Partnership.
Hyatt Regency Karachi 200 guestrooms golf resort with Pakistan’s first night-lit 36-hole golf located within Bahria Town Karachi
Hyatt Regency Lahore 220 guestrooms hotel under-construction in Lahore.
Hyatt Regency Rawalpindi 165-bed hotel in Bahria Town Rawalpindi with 11,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Recognition and awards

After success at national level, Bahria has been featured by international magazines and news agencies, referred to as the prosperous face of Pakistan. According to Emirates 24/7 Bahria Town is 'where Pakistan's new middle class takes refuge from the Taliban attacks and endless power cuts that plague the rest of the country.'[21] GlobalPost claimed that in 2013, Bahria houses some 100,000 people in total.[22] Newsweek calls it as Pakistan's Gateway to Paradise.[23] On October 6, 2011, Los Angeles Times refereed Bahria as 'functioning state within a non-functioning one'.[24] Regardless of that Bahria has been subject to controversies, it is referred to as a symbol of inequality, blamed for illegal encroachment of forests and unholy alliance with military.[24]

Controversies

Bahria has been subject to controversies, it is referred to as a symbol of inequality, blamed for illegal encroachment of forests and unholy alliance with military.[24]

Ayesha Siddiqa, a civilian military analyst and author of "Military Inc: Inside Pakistan Military Economy,"[39] alleges that those links have allowed him to acquire land, in some cases returning a percentage to senior officers as developed plots.[40] Chief Executive of Bahria Town, Ali Riaz Malik has submitted his statement regarding the Arsalan Iftikhar (son of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry) suo moto case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan that Bahria Town was not behind any allegations against Arsalan and that the court’s proceedings were not aimed at investigating the affairs of Bahria Town. The written reply also said that if any statement were made against Bahria Town or against its administration, then the organisation would have the right to respond to it.[41]

In April 2016, Malik Riaz Hussain's son, Ahmed Ali Riaz, was named in the Panama Papers.[42]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Asia's Largest Real Estate Builder Bahria Town Website". Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  2. ↑ Asif, Haseeb (2016-07-29). "What lies behind the gates of Pakistan's elite communities?". Herald Magazine. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  3. ↑ Malik Riaz, Chief Executive of Bahria Town (April 14, 2005). "Housing boom a solution to Pakistan's problems". Speech given at the NAB conference in Islamabad. Daily Times. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  4. ↑ "bahria town in quetta - Bing images". Bing.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  5. ↑ Dawn.com (2012-06-10). "Profile: Malik Riaz Hussain". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  6. ↑ Asad, Malik (2015-07-02). "Sindh govt allotted 44,000 acres of land to Bahria Town: Rangers". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  7. ↑ "ABOUT BAHRIA TOWN | Bahria Town Islamabad". bahriatownisb.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  8. ↑ "Its Only Business". The Nation. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  9. ↑ "90% work completed of Bahria Town Icon, will be inaugurated today - Pakistan - Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ "BARMTH provides expensive treatments at nominal charges". Nation.com.pk. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  12. ↑ "Bahria Icon opens for booking - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  13. ↑ "Bahria breaks ground on world's 3rd largest mosque - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  14. ↑ "At Bahria Town mosque: Palestine's Grand Mufti leads Friday prayer - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  15. ↑ "Cricket stadium: German firm lands Bahria's contract - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  16. ↑ "Bahria Sports City to feature Pakistan's largest cricket stadium - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  17. 1 2 3 "Bahria Town, Hyatt Hotels sign landmark accord". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  18. ↑ Hetland, Atle (2014-03-23). "Islamabad — a city only for the rich?". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  19. ↑ "Going up: Bahria Town Islamabad plot prices shoot up by 80% - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  20. ↑ "Welcoming the move: Bahria Town invites PM's taskforce to its power units - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  21. 1 2 "Pakistani expats' new realty check - Emirates 24|7". Emirates247.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  22. 1 2 "Happiness for some in Pakistan's gated communities". GlobalPost.com. 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  23. 1 2 "Bahria Town, Gateway to Paradise ‹ Newsweek Pakistan". Newsweekpakistan.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Mark Magnier (2011-10-06). "Pakistan gated community sparks controversy". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  25. ↑ "Welcoming the move: Bahria Town invites PM's taskforce to its power units - The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  26. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Bahria Enclave soon to provide night safari - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  28. ↑ "Architectural marvel: World's 7th largest mosque opens for worshippers - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2014-10-09. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  29. ↑ toot. "Bahria Golf City - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". www.bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  30. ↑ "Bahria Icon Tower Karachi - Latest real estate projects in Pakistan". Propertiesinpakistan.pk. 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  31. ↑ "Opal 225 Karachi - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". Bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  32. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Development board approves 42-floor building - The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  34. ↑ "Hoshang Pearl Karachi - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". Bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  35. ↑ "Bahria Town Introduces Mall of Islamabad". www.homespakistan.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  36. ↑ toot. "Bahria Town Tower - Bahria Town - Your Lifestyle Destination". bahriatown.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  37. ↑ "Hospitality Net - Hyatt Announces Entry into Pakistan with Plans for Four Hyatt-Branded Hotels". Hospitality Net. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  38. ↑ "News Releases". Hyatt Newsroom. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  39. ↑ Ayesha Siddiqa. Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy. Amazon.com. ISBN 9780745325453. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  40. ↑ Magnier, Mark (October 6, 2011). "Pakistan gated community sparks controversy". Los Angeles Times.
  41. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  42. ↑ Zain, Ali (4 April 2016). "Exposed By Panama Papers: List of Pakistani politicians, businessmen and judges who own offshore companies". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 12 April 2016.

External links

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