LAHORE, Aug 19: A computerized monitoring system has been devised to assess working of the police patrol posts, 22 of them have already been put to operation. This was stated by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi while presiding over a meeting on the highway police patrol posts here on Friday. He said more check posts would soon be established in the remaining districts to ensure protection of people and to check crime.

The meeting was attended by Law Minister Raja Basharat, chief secretary Kamran Rasool, IGP Ziaul Hasan and other senior officials.

The chief minister said the patrol posts were playing an effective role in ensuring safe travel on highways. He ordered that the posts should also work as a helpline for people.

He said the information technology board had made all arrangements for computerizing the network of police patrol posts.

This would not only help monitor crime, but also look after the management and working of the posts.

The chief minister said the director-general monitoring and inspection would monitor the posts. Staff of the posts had been trained on modern lines and given sophisticated weapons, best transport and the wireless system so that they could effectively handle all emergencies. They had also been given computer training for policing on modern lines.

The IGP said a programme had been made to computerize the provincial police. In the first phase, a pilot project would be launched in 10 districts. All police stations in the province would be computerized within one-and-a-half years.

The chief secretary said during a recent visit to Gujranwala and Sialkot, he found the working of the patrol posts satisfactory.