FAISALABAD, March 8: The project of setting up 229 police patrol posts for arresting the incidents of highway robbery and to ensure smooth traffic flow hangs in balance mainly due to lack of interest by the officials concerned.

The Punjab government, under the directives of the chief minister, had earmarked huge funds for setting up patrol posts and recruitment of the required staff. But neither the buildings for the purpose have so far been constructed nor the recruitment process for ASIs, sub-inspectors and inspectors could be initiated.

A police source told Dawn on Monday that the home department through the Punjab inspector general of police had issued a circular to all district police officers asking them to stop the recruitment process.

The source said the law and home departments had received a number of objections from the police department as both the traffic police and the watch and ward were insisting that the plan to set up police posts should be put under their command.

The chief minister had announced that the highway patrolling police would be given wages and other benefits on the pattern of motorway police.

Meanwhile, some 5,041 jobless youngsters have applied for 400 posts of foot-constable to be posted at the patrol posts on highways in the district. As many as 400 posts for foot-constables and 90 for ASI to inspector have been sanctioned for Faisalabad district.

Hundreds of candidates having degrees of MSc, M.Phil, BSc, BA and FA have applied for the posts of foot-constable.

Many applicants have attached recommendation certificates issued by parliamentarians and elected representatives with their CVs. According to the local police, the physical test of the applicants will be conducted on March 15, written test on March 20 and interview from March 23 to 27.