Ruling clarifies: Federal-KRG disputes cannot impede salary payments
Quoting a February ruling, Raheem highlighted that disagreements over Articles 12 and 13 of the 2023 Federal Budget Law—relating to oil exports and non-oil revenues—must not obstruct monthly payments to employees, retirees, and welfare recipients in the Kurdistan Region.
'This decision reaffirms the court's stance on insulating citizens' livelihoods from political conflict,' Raheem, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party, said in a statement.
Earlier, Parliamentary Finance Committee member Raed al-Maliki confirmed that the Ministry of Finance halted salary disbursements to the KRG, citing the Region's failure to transfer required oil and non-oil revenues to the federal treasury, despite the KRG receiving its entitlements.
The KRG Ministry of Finance rejected the justification, asserting that Baghdad is constitutionally obliged to continue salary payments to civil servants, retirees, and beneficiaries of the social safety net. It also criticized the federal government for neglecting reparations to survivors of the Anfal campaign and chemical attacks, calling such omissions a breach of duty.
In response, the federal Finance Ministry published data indicating that the KRG exceeded its designated budget share by failing to submit full oil and non-oil income, with joint reports from the federal and regional audit bureaus substantiating the findings, leading to the suspension of transfers.
The salary dispute comes amid deeper budgetary tensions between Baghdad and Erbil. Since oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through Turkiye's Ceyhan port were suspended in 2023, the federal government shifted to issuing monthly loans instead of direct budget payments.
Despite court intervention, the funding impasse continues, with both sides accusing each other of failing to meet their fiscal responsibilities under the national budget law.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
27 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iranian Security Chief arrives in Najaf: Religious tourism in focus
Shafaq News – Najaf Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani arrived in Najaf on Tuesday, home to Iraq's leading Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, as part of his two-day official visit to the country. According to a statement from the Najaf governor's office, Larijani met with Governor Youssef Kanawi to discuss expanding cooperation on religious tourism and public services, particularly during the massive Arbaeen pilgrimage, which draws millions of visitors each year. He commended the province's 'exceptional' security measures and service provisions during the event. The Najaf meeting followed Larijani's talks with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, President Abdul Latif Rashid, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, and other influential political figures, with potential plans to meet al-Sistani. At a press conference in Baghdad on Tuesday, he described Iraqis as 'mature and courageous' and rejected allegations of Iranian interference in Iraq's elections as inaccurate, emphasizing that Tehran 'shares ideas but does not issue orders.'
Shafaq News
27 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Kirkuk-Baniyas Pipeline: A $10B 'Illogical' project
Shafaq News – Baghdad The Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline suffers from severe infrastructure deterioration, Iraqi oil expert Hamza al-Jawahiri warned on Tuesday, questioning the feasibility of restoring the facility. Speaking to Shafaq News, al-Jawahiri said, 'The talk about rehabilitating the oil pipeline between Kirkuk and the Port of Baniyas is illogical. The pipeline is old, dilapidated, and unsuitable for transporting crude oil. When Syria secured the line in 1972, it was already found to be in poor condition and was never used to transport crude, but rather allocated for petroleum products.' He noted that the pipeline, which began operating in 1952, is now 73 years old. 'Rehabilitation has no meaning. What is needed is an entirely new line, something Syria cannot currently afford. If Iraq were to bear the cost, it would be no less than $10 billion, in addition to operational expenses, Syrian transit fees, and risk costs. In the end, ownership would revert to Syria after 20 years if that is the contract term,' he explained. Al-Jawahiri added that Iraq has no urgent need for new oil export outlets. 'The Gulf export line meets our needs and is not under the control of another country. The cost of exporting a barrel through it is only $0.60 compared to more than $15 via Baniyas. The Gulf line has a capacity exceeding 6 million barrels per day (bpd), while southern production is over 5.5 million bpd and will rise above 6 million within two years, with costs still at $0.60 per barrel.' 'This project, or any other that bypasses the Gulf ports, would be a waste of Iraqi money,' he affirmed. 'The Arabian Gulf, now and in the future, is the most complete export outlet. It enjoys international protection and has not been shut down for over 70 years.'
Shafaq News
41 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iran's Larijani: Hezbollah and resistance movements need no guardianship
Shafaq News - Baghdad Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani asserted on Tuesday that Lebanon's Hezbollah and other resistance movements operate independently and 'answer to no guardian.' Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, Larijani described the peoples of Iraq and Lebanon as 'mature and courageous,' emphasizing that Iran does not dictate their political choices, according to Tasnim News Agency. He dismissed allegations of Iranian interference in Iraq's elections as 'inaccurate,' noting that his country 'shares ideas, but does not issue orders.' Regarding the recent Iran–Iraq security memorandum signed under the oversight of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, he highlighted its core as a commitment by both sides to prevent 'others from harming the security of either country.' Larijani further elaborated that Hezbollah and other resistance factions, including in Iraq, have undergone significant growth in political awareness, making any form of oversight unnecessary. Arriving in Baghdad on Monday for a two-day official visit, Larijani met with Iraq's PM, president, parliament speaker, foreign minister, and other influential figures. The trip comes at a time when Washington is pressing Iraq to block the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Authority law—legislation that would formalize and expand the powers of the Iran-aligned coalition—and to push for its disarmament. Tehran has resisted these moves, warning that 'without it, the Americans would have swallowed Iraq.' The visit also coincides with growing international calls for Hezbollah in Lebanon to surrender its weapons. Tehran rejects the disarmament push as an American- and Israeli-backed scheme aimed at weakening the movement, while critics of Iran view this position as interference in Lebanon's internal affairs. An informed source
