LAHORE, June 23: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi assured his Sindh counterpart Ghaus Buksh Mehr on Monday that no provincial minister would issue any statement on any inter-provincial matter.

Mr Mehr had objected to the statement of Punjab Irrigation Minister Amer Sultan Cheema, alleging that those opposing the Greater Thal Canal project were working at the behest of Hindu lobby.

His statement came after the Sindh assembly passed an unanimous resolution against the commissioning of the project.

Official sources said during his telephonic conversation with Mr Mehr, the Punjab chief minister said that he had directed all provincial ministers to refrain from issuing any statement on inter-provincial matters like that of water and finance to avoid creation of any controversy and misunderstanding between provinces.

The chief minister said that Punjab did not have any dispute with Sindh and was willing to amicably settle if there was any difference of opinion between the provinces, sources said.

According to a statement, the chief minister said he was in a close contact with Mr Mehr and there was complete unanimity of views between the leadership of both the provinces on disallowing mutual problems transforming into political issues.

Mr Mehr had also said on Sunday that he would ask Pervaiz Elahi to stop his irrigation minister form issuing any statement on the Greater Thal Canal.

Meanwhile, speaking at the PML-Q parliamentary party meeting the Punjab chief minister said that promotion of national unity was the main focus of his party.

He said the Punjab shared all problems of Sindh and leadership of both the provinces had the spirit of amicably resolving their mutual issues, including that of water.

The chief minister said all MPAs belonging to the PML-Q actively took part in the current budget session of the provincial assembly which indicated that they had all the right to represent people.

He urged the members to keep in touch with the people of their respective constituencies and get their problems resolved with the help of administrative machinery.

The chief minister asked them to point out development schemes in their areas so that these could be initiated through consultation, leading to proper utilization of funds to be allocated for the purpose.

He said all proposals by the members regarding the budget were solid and practicable and the government would make them a part of its policy. He withdrew the transfer and token fees of small vehicles and motorcycles on the advice of the members.

The chief minister said the government intended to spend Rs150 million annually for promoting education in every district.