DHA Homes Phase 7: A Villa Dream Hampered by an Internet Nightmare

DHA Valley, now rebranded as DHA Homes Phase 7, Islamabad, stands as a testament to both ambition and the frustrating realities of real estate development in Pakistan. After decades of delays and a shift in management from Bahria Town to DHA administration, the project is finally beginning to surface. The newly functional access road connecting Islamabad Expressway to DHA Homes Phase 7, despite its 10-kilometer detour necessitated by dam rerouting, is a welcome sign of progress. With Lilly and Oleander blocks now populated, families are finally beginning to inhabit the promised villa lifestyle.

Currently, Lilly Block and Oleander Block stand as the flagbearers of this nascent community, with families already settled in. These blocks, though habitable, offer only the bare minimum in terms of amenities—a situation that raises questions about the priorities of the DHA administration. As someone who recently visited the area and relies heavily on the internet for work, I was struck by the absence of reliable connectivity.

In an era where high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity, it is astonishing that major internet service providers (ISPs) like PTCL, Nayatel, Transworld, and Stormfiber have yet to extend their services to DHA Homes Phase 7. Instead, the approximately 1,000 families residing here are left at the mercy of local ISPs offering shared connections capped at a meager 18 Mbps—at a premium cost, no less. Compare this to the standard 30–40 Mbps FTTH packages available elsewhere in Islamabad, and the disparity becomes glaring.

This lack of foresight is particularly disappointing given the demographic likely to inhabit DHA Homes: professionals, entrepreneurs, and families who depend on robust digital infrastructure for work, education, and daily life. During my visit, the frustration was palpable.

How can a modern housing society, marketed as a premium villa lifestyle, fail to secure a basic utility that underpins contemporary living? The DHA administration must urgently collaborate with reputable ISPs to bridge this gap and ensure residents are not relegated to substandard, overpriced alternatives.

The internet, however, is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Conversations with residents revealed deeper concerns about security and livability. Oleander Block, currently 75 percent unoccupied as homes await final touches, has reportedly seen incidents of robberies in vacant properties—a red flag for a community managed by DHA, an entity synonymous with stringent security. Equally troubling is the state of basic infrastructure: street lights, even along paved roads, remain unenergized in many areas.

According to a local dealer, residents must individually request DHA to activate street lighting after moving in—an absurd inversion of standard practice. Typically, a housing society ensures operational street lights, functional parks, and essential services before families arrive, not after they’ve unpacked their belongings.

This haphazard approach stands in stark contrast to the allure of DHA Homes Phase 7. The villa lifestyle it promises—spacious homes with open frontages and no claustrophobic extra gates—is indeed unmatched in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region. The aesthetic appeal and sense of freedom are undeniable draws, setting it apart from the crowded, gated societies that dominate the twin cities. Yet, without the backbone of reliable amenities, this vision risks becoming a hollow shell.

The DHA administration must recognize that completing a project is not merely about erecting buildings and paving roads—it’s about creating a livable, functional community. Public parks, another glaring omission, remain undeveloped, depriving families of recreational spaces that are standard in any well-planned society. Security must be proactive, not reactive, especially in a partially occupied area vulnerable to petty crime. And above all, the administration must prioritize residents’ needs over bureaucratic inertia.

DHA Homes Phase 7 has the potential to be a jewel in Islamabad’s residential crown, but only if its custodians act decisively. The DHA administration, alongside ISPs, must take the concerns of residents seriously and address these foundational shortcomings without delay. High-speed internet, operational street lights, and secure, green spaces are not luxuries—they are the bare minimum required to transform this project from a decades-long tease into a thriving reality.

The families of Lilly and Oleander Blocks deserve better, and so do the thousands more who may one day call DHA Homes Phase 7 their home. The time for promises is over; it’s time for delivery.

Yesterday, I sent an email to PTCL

Dear PTCL Team,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to express my appreciation for the quality and reliability of PTCL’s internet services, which have long been the preferred choice for countless households and businesses across Pakistan. Your continuous efforts in expanding and improving internet infrastructure are truly commendable.

However, I was surprised to learn that PTCL’s internet services, including FTTH, are currently unavailable in DHA Homes (DHA Phase 7), located at the following Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fKT9DDaKEhEVzheZ6. This community comprises over 1,000 families, many of whom are forced to rely on limited and often unreliable local ISPs and wireless data services.

Given that PTCL Rawat Exchange is situated on the main Kallar Syedan Road, it is surprising that such a densely populated and growing community remains underserved. As a strong advocate of PTCL services, I respectfully urge you to consider the immense potential and demand for PTCL’s high-speed FTTH services in this area.

With the rising number of professionals, freelancers, and students working and studying from home, reliable internet connectivity is not a luxury but a necessity. I am confident that introducing PTCL internet in DHA Homes will be warmly welcomed and widely adopted by the residents.

Personally, I am also planning to move to DHA Homes; however, the non-availability of PTCL’s internet services is a significant deterrent. Availability of your FTTH service would greatly influence not only my decision but that of many others who prefer PTCL’s trusted and stable internet solutions.

I kindly request you to forward this email to the relevant Sales, Marketing, and Planning Departments for their urgent consideration. A timeline or plan for PTCL’s service rollout in this community would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The DHA administration and the government are undoubtedly aware that a significant portion of Pakistanis now rely on online work, a trend fueled by the rise of freelancing and remote employment opportunities.

These individuals depend on stable, affordable internet as a lifeline to sustain their livelihoods and contribute to the digital economy. Any housing society that overlooks this critical facility risks alienating a growing demographic of professionals who require robust connectivity to thrive. Without prioritizing this need, DHA Homes Phase 7 will struggle to attract freelancers or foster the creation of modern workspaces, ultimately undermining its appeal as a forward-thinking residential community in an increasingly digital world.