RAWALPINDI: External Affairs Minister Manzur Qadir said here last evening that the first session of the National Assembly would be held in Rawalpindi as decided earlier.

Talking to newsmen at the Chaklala Airport on arrival from Karachi, Mr Qadir said the National Assembly would meet in Dacca when the Capital area there gets ready.

He was asked as to where the first session of Parliament would be held in view of the provision in the Constitution that Dacca would be the principal seat of the central legislature. The Minister said: “No doubt, Dacca will be the principal seat of the National Assembly, but the first session will be held in Rawalpindi.”

It may be stated here that renovation work on a spacious hall, now known as the Ayub Hall, where parliament is to meet is progressing at a fast speed. The renovation is estimated to cost Rs700,000, including the air-conditioning equipment. —Staff Correspondent