ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage, Senator Pervez Rashid said on Thursday that the by-election of NA-149 confirms the results of General Election 2013.

In a statement issued in the aftermath of PTI-bakced Amir Dogar’s victory against PML-N-backed Javed Hashmi in today’s by-poll in Multan, he said that the low turnout in the bye-election also rejects the demand made by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) for midterm elections in the country.

“The low voter turnout shows that it is fatigued and is in no mood for fresh General Election in the country.”

Rashid said that the margin of victory of Amir Dogar has been reduced as compared to the General Election 2013.

Referring to a public meeting addressed by Imran Khan in Multan in which he claimed that the participation in the rally was unprecedented, the minister said Khan had personally campaigned for Amir Dogar and yet remained unsuccessful in pulling out the supporters of PTI to vote.

“This reflects that PTI's policy of 'Dharnas' (sit-ins) has been rejected by its own supporters,” said Rashid.

The information minister said that the bye-poll has once again proved that people have confidence in the present electoral system and are free to make a choice of their liking.

Senator Rashid said that Imran Khan should review his style of politics, policy of confrontation and baseless accusations as it has failed to impress the common man.

The minister instead advised the PTI chairman to play his role as an opposition leader and focus on Khyber Pukhtunkhwa so that people can judge him by his performance rather than tall claims.