MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has said the victories of independent candidates in the Feb 8 elections indicated that the polls were free “to some extent”.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Siddiqui said the polls in 2024 were better than those held in 2018.

The MQM leader said it is the need of the hour that all political parties must strive to protect the state instead of their politics.

He said MQM’s dominance in Sukkur, Nawabshah and Mirpurshah had not faded and the masses would still vote the party to power.

He added that the current situation warranted difficult decisions and everyone must play their due role in the process.