OUR STAFF REPORTER QUETTA - Balochistan will receive Rs8.9 billion for the ongoing National Highway Projects during the current financial year which is four times compared to the last years allocation of two billion rupees for the same project. This was disclosed in a meeting of the Senates Standing Committee on Communication that held here on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Senator Wali Muhammad Badini. Federal Minister for NHA Arbab Alamgir, NHA Federal Secretary Senator Rahim Mandokhel, Balochistan Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Additional Inspector General of Police Ghalib and others attended the meeting. The committee criticised the transfer of 18 billion rupees allocated for highway projects in Balochistan to other parts of country. The chairman termed the transfer of funds from Balochistan to other areas as injustice with Balochistan. The NHA minister and secretary assured the committee that about 9 billion rupees would be given to Balochistan this year and that the ongoing construction works would be completed soon. The committees meeting mainly focused on the security issues that are creating hurdles in the construction of National Highways in Balochistan. The committee said non-availability of funds was another major issue for the construction of National Highways in Balochistan while the latter had never received total allocated amount for the development projects. The chief secretary suggested deployment of local people as private security personnel along with the state forces in the disturbed areas in order to carry out the development works. This was, however, opposed by Senator Rahim Mandokhel who demanded that only state machinery - police and Frontier Corps - should be used for security purposes. The home secretary said development projects in Balochistan could be successful if the locals were employed in the construction works. The local people are better acquainted with the specific dynamics of their respective areas. This also helps in smooth progress of the projects, he said. The committees next meeting is expected in October.