LALAMUSA: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Saturday said that by-poll in Multan were of a great importance which proved a public referendum in favour of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Speaking to media representatives at Dera Kaira, he said that comments were being passed on this election on different angles, which showed the attitude of commentators towards the PPP.

It was said some political and media powers tried to undermine the by-poll victory by saying that the PPP won marginally.

Kaira said that actually all the political powers, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and other rival parties were united against the PPP in the by-election.

A specific media circle by leading a specific point of view had started a process of character assassination of the Gilani family without any proofs which reached at its climax during the election, he observed.

Commending former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the information minister said that a record development projects were carried out all over the country without any discrimination during the tenure of Gilani.

He said that fingers were raised at transparent programme like BISP, which was being implemented in its true letter and spirit and was praised worldwide.

Kaira claimed that all the votes of rightists and extreme forces would get united against the PPP in the next election. However, they will have to meet the same fate like that in the Multan by-election, he added.

The minister hailed the proposals of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for a dialogue with political forces inside and outside the parliament for holding independent elections in the country.

He hoped that the next election would be held in a free, fair and transparent manner under the supervision of newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner.