PESHAWAR, Jan 29: Two new blocks in the MPA hostel will be constructed with an investment of Rs87.461 million for the members of NWFP Assembly. According to a press release issued here on Thursday, the chairman of the housing and library committee and deputy speaker NWFP assembly Ikramullah Shahid said the MPA hostel would be constructed on the pattern of Parliament Lodges. It would be equipped with all the latest facilities.

While noting that the MPA hostel lacked facilities, he said NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani had already given directives for the speedy construction of MPA hostel's two new blocks. The speaker of NWFP assembly, Bakht Jehan Khan, was also present in the meeting which decided that these blocks would be completed in two phases. The first phase is estimated to cost Rs39.9 million.

The meeting was also attended by MPA Jamsheed Khan, Golran Laal, additional secretary establishment Fayyazullah Khan Khattak, works and services secretary Arshad Mirza, additional secretary finance Abdul Samad Khan and other officials of the departments concerned. The committee was informed that the MPA hostel's extension project would be completed between 12 and 18 months. Some 36 suites are to be built, with a car park accommodating 90 cars at a time.

The officials were directed to take into consideration the modern requirements as well as MPAs privacy when constructing the blocks. Accommodation for MPAs gunmen and servants is also be provided, the speaker and deputy speaker told the meeting. Mr Bakht Jehan Khan expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the finance department.