ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: The Parliament House and the lodges are all set to accommodate the MNAs-elect at the inaugural session on Friday. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has renovated and furnished 334 parliament lodges.

The CDA has expanded the seating capacity of the National Assembly Hall, due to increase in its strength, enabling it to hold joint session of both the houses of the Parliament.

The new Parliament comprises 442 members including 342 members of the National Assembly and 100 would-be senators.

More than a hundred MPs would be adjusted in the Punjab, Sindh, Frontier, Balochistan houses and the MNAs hostel.

Due to shortage of residences, available Parliament lodges would be allotted by drawing lots.

Authorities said that 84 lodges would be reserved for women MPs and it might allocate a separate block for the women parliamentarians.

Meanwhile, to accommodate more MNAs due to enhancement of the National Assembly seats and holding of joint sessions of both the houses of the Parliament (Senate and National Assembly), the National Assembly Hall has been expanded to 442 seats.

The air conditioners and phone system had been upgraded in the Parliament House and the lodges. The PIA, Railways, United Bank, post office had also opened their branches in the Parliament House to facilitate the MPs.

Members lounge and cafeteria have also been arranged to entertain the newly elected members during the session.—PPI