Seemingly far removed from Rawalpindi’s urban sprawl (thanks to plenty of greenery), yet only a 10-minute drive from the city’s centre, lies Lalazar. One of Rawalpindi’s most expensive neighbourhoods. Healthcare and education… Lalazar provides a serene and relatively secure environment, with ample options as far as education and healthcare concerned. Two of the best known hospitals – Combined Military Hospital and Military Hospital – are located there, as are several private clinics. Similarly, a number of well-established education institutions can be found there, including Gachrang School of Arts, Millennuim Schools answer St. Mary’s Collage, providing easy access to quality education.
Commercial activity… Tulsa Road forms the commercial spine of Lalazar, where rapid development has taken place in the last five years. However the merchandise available in shops there are limited to groceries and household items, which mean that residents have to venture off to nearby Askari VII, Lalkurti or Saddar for a shopping spree. Several small commercial pockets dot Lalazar, where bakeries, small eateries, general stores and pharmacies are located.
Of parks and recreation…. What Lalazar lacks in terms of shopping options it makes up in terms of recreational avenues. These include two of Rawalpindi’s best parks – Bashir Ahmedabad and Zia-ul-Haq Parks. The latter is spread across acres of gardens aflame with tennis courts, as well as a lake that serves as a picnic spot. It is also favourite spot for birdwatchers due to the variety of birds that have made the park their home.
The real estate take…. Residential plots range between 150 and 600 square yards; new houses are primarily under construction on the large plots. Commercial property options include small standalone shops; Low-rise buildings offering retail space have recently been constructed, especially on Tulsa Road, and are in high demand. In the last five years, property prices and rentals have increased by approximately 15 and 25% respectively.
In a nutshell…. Although Lalazar may not yet be home to Rawalpindi’s elite, its contemporary houses, parks and recreational avenues, offer residents a perfect escapes from the hustle and bustle of city life.
By Farhana Burki