PUK President: We Will Be the Power of All Communities in Nineveh

P.U.K 04:20 PM - 2025-11-03

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), addressed the party's grand carnival in Mosul, Nineveh Province, on Monday, 3 November 2025, where the the candidates of the Itihad Ahl Nainawa (Nineveh People’s Union) Coalition 281 were introduced. During his speech, President Bafel set out the party’s programme and priorities for the next term of the Iraqi Parliament, outlining its plans for engagement and service in Baghdad.

Mosul Has Become Iraq’s Shield

At the beginning of his speech, President Bafel paid tribute to the resilience of Mosul, saying: “The pain that Mosul has endured is something few places in the world could withstand. Mosul has overthrown dictators, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. China, with its great power, has the Great Wall to protect it — but we in Iraq have Mosul, the strong wall that defends our country. The people of Mosul must have their rightful stance and influence in the next Iraqi government, and no decision should be made without their consent. We, as the PUK, will be the power of all communities in Nineveh in Baghdad.”

The Stability of Iraq Depends on the Stability of Nineveh

He continued: “The stability of Iraq is nothing without the stability of Nineveh. Nineveh is not a place for anyone’s agenda, and no one can claim ownership of it — it belongs only to its diverse people. We, the party of Jalal Talabani, believe that the colours of Nineveh represent its richness — a bouquet of flowers that, as Mam Jalal said, becomes more beautiful and vibrant with every colour.”

A Comprehensive Plan to Rebuild Mosul

President Bafel emphasised that Mosul has been neglected and underserviced, announcing that the PUK has prepared a comprehensive plan to rebuild the city: “We will struggle to ensure that our Yazidi brothers and sisters return to their areas with pride, dignity, and security. Not only them, but all displaced people must be able to return home and receive the services they deserve. Our representatives have been instructed to take on this heavy responsibility — and if they fail to serve their people properly, I know how to deal with them.”

Strengthening Youth and Education: Linking Mosul and Sulaymaniyah Universities

Addressing the youth of Mosul, President Bafel said: “The youth of Mosul are the dynamo of this city and the future of Iraq. We have entrusted our representatives to work seriously for them to become the voice and power of Iraq and for their advancement, particularly in science and education. For this purpose, we have a project to establish a direct relationship between Mosul University and Sulaymaniyah University — to promote academic cooperation, knowledge exchange, and student development.”

We Believe in Justice, Not Revenge

The PUK President reiterated his belief in fairness and reconciliation: “We believe in justice, not revenge. In the next Iraqi government, we will work to release those who were wrongly detained during the fight against ISIS, so they may return to their homes and families. There must be no misunderstanding between the people and the judiciary — the courts must be impartial and free to decide the fate of these individuals.”

We Will Serve Mosul with the Spirit and Legacy of Mam Jalal

Concluding his speech, President Bafel reaffirmed the PUK’s commitment to unity and coexistence: “I am a Kurd, and I am proud to be a Kurd. But in Mosul, we must work in the spirit of Mam Jalal’s path and his bouquet of flowers. Kurds should not be only Kurds here, Arabs should not be only Arabs, Turkmen should not be only Turkmen, Kakais should not be only Kakais, Shabak should not be only Shabak, and Christians should not be only Christians. We must all be Iraqis and Moslawis, serving one another with respect. I promise you that we will be your power, and we will not allow any decision to be made in Iraq without your voice and consent.”

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 number 281, while in Saladin it is fielding one candidate within the "National Masses Coalition" with 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