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Iraq PM Launches Anti-Corruption Battle by Warning His Brother

Mustafa al-Kadhimi in parliament for vote of confidence on May 6, 2020 [Handout/ Parliament of Iraq/Reuters]
Mustafa al-Kadhimi in parliament for vote of confidence on May 6, 2020 [Handout/ Parliament of Iraq/Reuters]
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Iraq PM Launches Anti-Corruption Battle by Warning His Brother

Mustafa al-Kadhimi in parliament for vote of confidence on May 6, 2020 [Handout/ Parliament of Iraq/Reuters]
Mustafa al-Kadhimi in parliament for vote of confidence on May 6, 2020 [Handout/ Parliament of Iraq/Reuters]

The new Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, launched on Sunday his battle against corruption by warning his brother from the consequences of mediating or acting on his behalf.

The premiership’s information service broadcast a video of Kadhimi during a visit to the Public Pensions Department speaking on the phone with his eldest brother, warning him from mediating on his behalf.

The PM said if such behavior happens, it would be equivalent to identity theft that is punishable by law.

Kadhimi’s presence at the Department also secured the release of salaries of around three million Iraqi pensioners.

The PM’s keenness to fight corruption was preceded by other similar moves, when he ordered the release of demonstrators arrested during the mass protests that erupted in October last year.

The Prime Minister also ordered to reinstate a top general dismissed by former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in September.

“We ordered the return of the hero brother, First Lieutenant General Abdel-Wahab Al-Saadi, and to promote him as the head of the Anti-Terrorism Agency,” he said.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Kadhimi said all security services have been ordered to respect human rights.

Amid unprecedented differences between groups supporting the October demonstrations, protests were held in Baghdad and other cities in central and southern Iraq against the new government, shortly after Kadhimi announced the formation of a supreme legal committee to investigate the events that took place starting October 1, 2019.

Sunday’s protests raised questions regarding their timing.

Several sources warned from the “agendas” of some political parties and forces that seek to harm the PM’s term by renewing protests.

A former candidate for the Iraqi premiership, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Kadhimi proved to have self-confidence, mainly when he ordered the return of Saadi.

“This is considered one of the most important decisions taken by the PM so far,” he said.

MP of Iraqi Forces Alliance Abdullah al-Kharbit told Asharq Al-Awsat that most difficulties that Kadhimi would face in the future are “internal.”

“He has a very difficult mission due to accumulated problems,” Kharbit said.

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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.