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Iraqi PM Rejects Resignation of 3 Taqaddum Party Ministers

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani with Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi (file photo: Iraqi Premiership)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani with Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi (file photo: Iraqi Premiership)
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Iraqi PM Rejects Resignation of 3 Taqaddum Party Ministers

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani with Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi (file photo: Iraqi Premiership)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani with Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi (file photo: Iraqi Premiership)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani rejected the resignations of three ministers who took the move in protest of a ruling by Iraq’s court to terminate the tenure of Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi.
The Federal Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in Iraq, ruled to remove Halbousi, the influential Sunni Speaker, from his position after a complaint filed against him by a representative on charges of “forgery.”
In response, the Taqaddum Party, led by Halbousi, announced the resignation of its three ministers in the government.
Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement that the Prime Minister rejected the resignations submitted by the Ministers of Planning, Industry, and Culture, and accordingly, they will resume their executive duty.
The statement explained that the rejection comes from the government’s desire to ensure political representation for all components and political forces of the Iraqi people and in harmony with the government’s commitments to support and maintain political stability.
Iraq’s political process is based on power sharing between different sects, and it has become a tradition that the position of President goes to the Kurds, the Prime Minister is Shia, and the Speaker is Sunni.
Appointing officials to positions is an arduous issue in Iraq that lasts for months, often due to endless negotiations and political deals that go through many obstacles.
The parliament, with 329 representatives, is dominated by an alliance that includes Iran-affiliated Shiite parties, which named the current Prime Minister.
Halbousi rejected the ruling on November 14, removing him from his position and dropping his parliamentary membership, pledging to take necessary steps to “preserve constitutional rights.”
The Supreme Court issued its ruling after a complaint submitted by a lawmaker of the Taqaddum party, led by Halbousi. The party leader was accused of “forgery.”
The court confirmed the lawsuit, in which Halbousi was accused of forcing his party’s representatives to submit a signed, undated resignation letter. He later used the paper to terminate the lawmaker’s membership in January.

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Arab World

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.