PUK Will Not Forget Its Martyrs and Will Serve Their Heirs from Baghdad

Reports 10:32 AM - 2025-10-21

PUK logo & Peshmerga cartoons.

The history of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) is one of pride, sacrifice, and unwavering struggle. Its journey is marked by thousands of stories written in the mountains and prisons — stories that testify to the resilience of a political force that has never hesitated to defend the rights of the Kurdish people. The blood of the martyrs is the truest witness to this legacy.

President Mam Jalal often said: “What the PUK has achieved is the result of the blood of its martyrs.”

Today, under the leadership of Bafel Jalal Talabani, the PUK continues to uphold this principle, placing the service and welfare of the heirs of martyrs at the forefront of its mission. The Party regards the blood of its martyrs as sacred and continues to honour their sacrifices through concrete action and policies.

Equalising Salaries Between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq

Leyla Karim Hammadi, candidate No. 20 on the PUK List 222 in Sulaymaniyah constituency, told PUKMEDIA that one of the key priorities of the PUK’s programme in the next Iraqi Parliament will be ensuring equality in salaries and entitlements between employees and heirs of martyrs in the Kurdistan Region and those in the rest of Iraq.

“If we go to parliament, our next work will follow the rules and programmes set by the PUK and List 222,” Hammadi said.

She added: “My top priority will be to equalise the salaries of the heirs of martyrs in the Kurdistan Region with those of the heirs of martyrs in Iraq, as there is a significant difference between them. I will also work to ensure that the families of martyrs benefit from marriage loans and educational scholarships.”

The PUK Will Enforce the Rights of Martyrs’ Families by Law

Brako Sherko Fatih, candidate No. 22 on PUK List 222 in Kirkuk constituency, also reaffirmed the PUK’s dedication to the families of martyrs.

“The PUK has always sought to serve the heirs of martyrs and has worked tirelessly for this cause,” Fatih told PUKMEDIA.

“In the future, the PUK will continue this mission and will work to enforce their rights by law. I am the son of a martyr, and I understand their pain deeply. If I win the trust of the people, I will make it my duty to serve all the heirs of martyrs and fearlessly defend their rights,” he added.

The Party of Martyrs

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has earned the title of “The Party of Martyrs.”

According to the PUK’s Martyrs and Veterans Bureau, the PUK has more than 26,000 martyrs — the highest number in the Kurdistan Region.

For the PUK, the concept of the martyr embodies identity, history, and sovereignty. It is an unchangeable and sacred principle that unites all generations and members within the ranks of the party.

At every meeting and event, before any discussion begins, the PUK remembers and honours the pure souls of its martyrs — the source of its legitimacy, strength, and moral compass.

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.



PUKMEDIA