It was originally established as a residential town for retired military personnel by the Armed Forces of Pakistan Welfare Department in the mid-1950s, however, currently, the majority of residents of the neighbourhood are civilian families.

[2] The Defense was originally established by retired servicemen from the armed forces in the mid-1950s as a cooperative housing society.

In 1981, under the orders of President Gen Zia-ul Haq, it was taken over by the government and was put under the control of the Corps Commander Karachi.

The efforts to develop DHA have been fruitful, signified by growth-oriented high-class living values[2] The functioning of the authority is vested in the two bodies: the governing body headed by the Secretary Ministry of Defence and the executive board headed by the Corps Commander posted at Karachi.

In recent times, there were several complaints against encroachments by the concerned citizens in phase 6 at Khayaban-e-Seher adjacent to the commercial area.