LAHORE, March 10: Punjab Inspector General of Police Syed Masud Shah says work on every aspect of the patrol posts project is being done on war-footing and the progress is being monitored by him personally.

Reacting to a report, Patrol posts fate hangs in balance, the IGP said: "In the first phase 238 patrol posts have been sanctioned by the Punjab government, and 198 sites for their construction handed over to the communication and works department.

Construction work has already been started and is in full swing at 145 sites, while a sum of Rs631 million has been released for the construction work which will be completed by June 30, 2004."

He said It was incorrect that the inspector general had asked all district police officers to stop the recruitment process. "The fact is that the recruitment process for filling up 6,600 posts of constable, driver and wireless operator has begun.

Selection boards for selecting sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and head-constables have also been constituted, and the selection process will be complete by the first week of April.

Training syllabi and other arrangements, too, have been completed. Training will commence immediately after the completion of the recruitment process." The IGP further said: "There is no truth whatsoever in the contention that objections have been sent to any department regarding the command structure of the patrol posts. We are absolutely clear on the subject, and all details have been worked out by the police hierarchy."