WASHINGTON, Nov 20: Paki-stan has authorized a US-based charity to build 800 earthquake resistant homes near Abbottabad, officials said on Friday. Human Assistance & Development International Inc, which is registered as a charity in California, will work with Gandhara Consultants, an architecture and construction firm in Pakistan, to set up what it describes as “quick and effective earthquake resistant housing.” Both the firms are offering their services free and also have recruited volunteers in Pakistan to supervise the project.

For the 1st phase of this project Pakistan has authorized building of 800 homes in village Mula near Abbottabad at the cost of $520 a unit. Cost of type B, C & D can vary from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on requirements. These units have residences, offices, and clinics.