Strong PUK Presence in Baghdad Safeguards Salaries and Kurdistan’s Rights

News 12:05 PM - 2025-10-14

PUK logo and list number.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) is intensifying its efforts to secure the salaries of public employees in the Kurdistan Region, with PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani leading key discussions in Baghdad. His recent meetings with senior political figures in the Iraqi capital have been described as crucial, given his pivotal role in engineering the oil agreement between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, which enabled the resumption of oil exports and the payment of salaries over recent months.

Patriotic Decisions of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

Amal Shukr Tayeb, Head of the PUK List No. 222 in Diyala, told PUKMEDIA: “The role and influence of President Bafel Jalal Talabani are vital not only for the PUK, but for the Kurdish people and Iraq as a whole. He has played an active part in resolving complex issues, both within the Kurdistan Region and in relations with the federal government.”

She added: “The PUK has consistently honoured the commitments it made in the past, supported by the trust and votes of its supporters — a trust that has strengthened our resolve and decision-making. We have always sought to unify our ranks and coordinate with other parties to ensure our decisions serve national interests, both in the Kurdistan Region and in Baghdad, and uphold the higher interests of the people of Kurdistan and Iraq.”

The Role of the PUK

Harem Kamal Agha, Head of the PUK Bloc and candidate No. 1 on PUK List 222 for the Erbil electoral district, told Kurdistani Newspaper: “The strength of the PUK undoubtedly has a significant impact on the overall political process in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.”

He continued: “The PUK acts responsibly and considers itself duty-bound to defend the rights of the people of Kurdistan. It is therefore essential for the PUK to maintain its strength in Baghdad.”

Kamal Agha added that the PUK’s influence in the federal capital has been instrumental in key national agreements — most notably, the oil export agreement crafted by PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

“The PUK will never allow citizens to become victims of political conflict,” he affirmed.

Recalling the legacy of the late President Mam Jalal, he noted that during his tenure in Baghdad, “even the most complex issues between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq were swiftly resolved.” He added that President Bafel Jalal Talabani continues to follow in his father’s footsteps, stressing the need for a strong PUK presence in the Iraqi Parliament to better serve citizens and safeguard their rights.

The PUK’s Role in Baghdad

Rabiha Hamad, a member of the PUK Leadership Council, highlighted the party’s historic and ongoing contributions to Iraq’s political reconstruction following the fall of the former regime.

“President Mam Jalal played a defining role in drafting Iraq’s constitution and building the new state. Voters should remember the PUK’s legacy as the true defender of their rights,” she said.

Hamad pointed to Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani’s efforts in leading Kurdistan Region delegations to Baghdad, which resulted in securing employee salaries and the region’s entitlements within the federal budget. “These efforts led the Federal Court to order the disbursement of salaries,” she explained.

The PUK plays a significant role in bringing the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad closer together, she affirmed.

She acknowledged that while the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) failure to adhere to the agreements caused temporary setbacks, President Bafel Jalal Talabani’s diplomacy helped restore dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad.

“Through his leadership and perseverance, both sides reached a joint understanding that resolved their disputes and ensured the resumption of oil exports,” she added. “Even the Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Bafel’s role in achieving this agreement.”

PUK: From Words to Action

Dana Asaad, Head of the Office of the late President Mam Jalal’s Secretariat in Baghdad, underlined the PUK’s practical approach to politics.

“The PUK does not engage in reactive politics; it believes in dialogue and understanding to find durable solutions — and it delivers on every slogan it raises,” he said.

Asaad noted that during difficult periods in Erbil–Baghdad relations, it was often President Bafel Jalal Talabani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani who worked swiftly to find compromise and prevent escalation.

“The PUK carries forward the wisdom and political vision of the late President Mam Jalal,” he said. “It firmly believes that the Kurdistan Region’s issues must be resolved in Baghdad — not in neighbouring capitals. The stronger the PUK is in Baghdad, the stronger and more secure the Kurdistan Region will be.”

The PUK is contesting the 2025 Iraqi parliamentary elections, scheduled for 11 November, across several governorates, presenting its candidates on an independent list numbered 222 in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah (including Halabja), Duhok, Kirkuk, and Diyala. In Nineveh Governorate, the PUK is running as part of the "Nineveh People’s Union Coalition" with list number 281, while in Saladin it is fielding one candidate within the "National Masses Coalition" with list number 240.

Overall, the PUK is entering the elections with 156 candidates: 36 in Sulaymaniyah, 30 in Erbil, 5 in Duhok, 24 in Kirkuk, 28 in Diyala, 31 in Nineveh within the Nineveh People’s Union coalition, and one candidate each in Saladin and Baghdad.



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