KARACHI, Aug 28: Three provincial ministers on Thursday have denied having been asked by President Musharraf to launch a campaign for soliciting public support for Kalabagh dam and Greater Thal Canal projects.

Addressing a news conference together with Law Minister Iftikhar Chaudhary and Nadir Akmal Laghari, Mr Irfan Gul Magsi also denied reports that he had supported these projects.

“We did not support Kalabagh dam or Greater Thal Canal. We supported the formation of a parliamentary and technical committee to go into the whole water issue which we consider of paramount importance for the entire country,” said Mr Magsi.

When the findings of the committee are made known to us, only then the question of supporting or opposing the projects would arise, he said.

When specifically asked whether Gen Musharraf had directed them to launch a campaign for the controversial projects despite the Sindh Assembly resolutions against them, Mr Magsi said that the president had dealt at length with the whole water issue.

“Since he wanted the issue to be resolved once and for all, he appointed a critic of the projects as head of the committee,” said Mr Magsi.

The three ministers were critical of the opposition for, what they called, waste of time and evading a discussion on vital issues of public interest.

Mr Laghari hammered on the late commencement of the House proceedings owing to the late arrival of members. He was joined by Mr Magsi and Mr Iftikhar in accusing the opposition of creating a rumpus in the House and not maintaining decorum.

They claimed that the treasury bench members came to the assembly on time but opposition members did not.

When asked why cannot the government members start proceedings on time, place their point of view on record on the issue and expose the opposition’s alleged lack of interest, they noted the point. They also conceded that when counting is done during division of the House on any issue, doors of the House should remain closed.

In fact, Mr Iftikhar said, the government had planned to convene its own session but when the opposition’s requisition was received, it decided not to push its summary.

He said the government was trying its best to conduct the proceedings according to the rules.