PUK Official: We Can Reclaim KRG Premiership

Interviews 11:45 PM - 2024-10-14

PUK Politburo Member Rafaat Abdullah at the press conference.

A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Political Bureau declared that the PUK is a great and influential force dedicated to serving people, and with their support and confidence, it can reclaim the premiership of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

PUK Politburo Member Rafaat Abdullah held a press conference at the PUK's Organisation Bureau on Monday, October 14, 2024, during which he highlighted the PUK's new work programme. In response to a question from PUKMEDIA's journalist, he stated: "The PUK is a great and influential force, and nothing is impossible. The PUK's agenda is to serve people, and by earning the highest level of public trust, we can reclaim the position of prime minister."

For the PUK, 'My Account' has ended

In reply to an additional question from PUKMEDIA, Abdullah stated: “In recent years, there have been issues with salary delays. The PUK team within the government and President Bafel have been working to address these issues in Baghdad, while the PUK bloc in the Iraqi Parliament has intensified its efforts towards this end. However, the KRG is the problem due to its failure to provide accurate data to Baghdad. "

Adding: "As for 'My Account', the PUK has already made a decision about it. We reject that account, and it will be rejected within the next government in the Kurdistan Region. Distributing salaries through private banks is nonexistent globally. Meanwhile, nationalisation (Tawtin) will address the salary issue."

Note* To resolve the salary dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, the Federal Court has decided to nationalise the Kurdistan Region's civil servant salaries and distribute them through Iraqi state-owned banks, thus removing deceased individuals, duplicates, and fake names from the KRG's salary list. However, Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced a banking system for disbursing the salaries of the Kurdistan Region's civil servants under the name of ‘My Account’.

‘My Account’ is entirely at odds with the Federal Court's order, and the banks within the system are private and lack guarantees; hence, in the event of bankruptcy, civil servants' salaries will be lost.

The PUK went through a number of ups and downs

Abdullah further stated: "The PUK has experienced a number of ups and downs in recent years, creating a kind of multi-discourse and multi-polarisation that has weakened the party. However, in the past three years, particularly following the fifth congress, a united PUK capable of addressing its challenges has emerged, as proved in practice."

He continued to state: "The PUK is presently a prominent and influential entity at the local, Iraqi, regional, and international levels. In the last two years, our party's influence in the establishment of the Iraqi government has become clear to the parties in Baghdad. Locally, the PUK's unity and consensus, together with its new governance vision, rejects the unilateral rule of one party in all principal government structures."

Pointing out: "The PUK's campaign motto for this election is 'We Will End It'. The PUK does not mean ending the experience and governance for which it has fought and made sacrifices. Instead, it wants to tear down the prevailing governance model in the Kurdistan Region, characterised by a party that explicitly implements a strategy of starvation, creating crises, enacting punitive measures, and fostering prejudice among citizens and regions. The PUK aims to tear down this outlook."

Women should come to power through their capabilities

On the women's issue, Abdullah said: "Regarding the matter of women, we want them to come to power through their own strength and capabilities; their presence must be more pronounced, particularly within the Kurdistan Parliament, where we want them to be active and influential."

We will take back Erbil

Abdullah further stated: "The PUK's vow to reclaim Erbil signifies its intention to transform the city into a hub of services accessible to the general public and disadvantaged people, rather than just catering to the wealthy. To enhance security and services in Erbil, it is essential to return the land plots that have been seized by the authorities. The people of Erbil are exceedingly frustrated."



PUKMEDIA