Latest news with #DiyalaProvincialCouncil
Shafaq News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Karawi returns to Diyala council post, faces resistance
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Diyala Provincial Council Chairman Omar Al-Karawi confirmed his return to office to resume duties, following a ruling by the Administrative Court overturning his dismissal. Al-Karawi stated in a press conference that the council's current focus is on oversight and legislative functions, in accordance with the Provincial Councils Law. 'The doors are open for dialogue,' he said, noting that absenteeism is a failure to honor the trust of voters. Al-Karawi also clarified that the current composition of the council was based on prior political agreements reached in Baghdad, and that the distribution of positions within the province followed those understandings. The Administrative Court ruled on Monday to suspend the procedures for Al-Karawi's dismissal and reinstate him as head of Diyala Provincial Council, according to official court documents. However, nine council members voiced in a press conference strong opposition to Al-Karawi's reinstatement. Turki Al-Atabi, the head of the council's Integrity Committee, affirmed that the court ruling ran 'counter to the will of the majority,' emphasizing that 12 members—more than two-thirds of the council—had voted to remove Al-Karawi in March. The statement accused the former chairman of 'administrative misconduct and manipulating council decisions for personal benefit,' arguing that his dismissal was essential to prevent institutional deadlock and to ensure the council could continue performing its legislative duties. Calling on the Supreme Judicial Council to review the ruling, the members argued that the dismissal was legally sound and conducted in full compliance with the amended Provincial Councils Law No. 21 of 2008. Al-Atabi emphasized that 'upholding the council's decision is vital to preserving its integrity and serving the public interest in Diyala.'
Shafaq News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi court upholds reinstatement of Diyala council chief
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Iraq's Administrative Court rejected an appeal challenging a previous ruling that ordered the reinstatement of Omar Al-Karawi as head of the Diyala Provincial Council. According to an official court document, the judges concluded that the appeal lacked sufficient legal grounds and upheld the original decision issued on March 25, 2025, which suspended the implementation of Administrative Order No. (67/3/23) pending a final ruling on the case. Reacting to the ruling, MP Mudar Al-Karawi welcomed the court's decision, calling it 'a victory for justice, fairness, and the rule of law,' and urged everyone to 'respect the law' and comply with the binding court decision. Earlier, the Diyala Provincial Council voted to dismiss its chairman after rejecting his responses during a formal questioning session, appointed Nizar Al-Lahibi as his successor, and swore him in before court proceedings began.
Shafaq News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sunni voice: Iraq's Diyala chairman resignation hinges on fair share
Shafaq News/ Omar al-Karawi, reinstated as Chairman of the Diyala Provincial Council by court order on Tuesday, described the ruling as 'a form of justice.' Al-Karawi dismissed claims that the decision was a political victory over rivals, but a constitutional right of the Sunni component, expressing readiness to step down if fair representation is upheld. 'I am not attached to the post,' al-Karawi stated, emphasizing the council's duty to represent all constituents in Diyala. He called on political factions to attend a meeting on Wednesday to outline a 'roadmap' for resolving the province's crisis, cautioning against what he described as 'soft coups.' The chairman also warned that disregarding power-sharing agreements made in Baghdad would risk further destabilization. The Administrative Judiciary Court earlier annulled Sunday's council session that removed al-Karawi and appointed Nizar al-Lahibi. Al-Karawi's dismissal, backed by 12 out of 15 council members, followed an interrogation session and drew criticism over alleged political interference.
Rudaw Net
05-03-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Land dispute in Khanaqin district leads to tensions
Also in Iraq Over 400 vehicles seized at Iraq ports in two months Return of ISIS-linked nationals from Syria paused due to rehabilitation program Iraq rejects displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Over two tons of drugs seized in Iraq in two months A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dispute over the establishment of an industrial zone in the Kurdish town of Khanaqin in Diyala province led to tensions on Wednesday, with the mayor, councilor, and lawmaker accusing an investor of encroachment. The project, which extends over an area of 2,170 dunams south of Khanaqin, includes 400 commercial shops, with 15% of it completed so far. Each shop is valued at $10,000. Nevertheless, construction operations remain a subject of major controversy between government officials and the investor, leading to mutual legal actions between the two parties. "The chaos you are witnessing is in support of encroachment," Sozan Mansour, a lawmaker, said at the site. Meanwhile, Diyala Provincial Council member Aws Ibrahim reiterated the legality of the mayor's decision to remove the project. "We are currently at the site and you can see the commotion. The removal decision is official according to Law 154, and the mayor has taken all proper legal procedures. We were surprised by the forceful opposition to removing the encroachment," he said. For his part, investor Hazim al-Shakraji insisted that the land legally belongs to him, denying all charges against him, telling Rudaw "These brothers came to provoke me for money, I will not pay a single dinar. The government cannot claim that the land is encroached upon; I have an official title deed. They cannot do this, and the commissioner cannot claim this, as there are mutual complaints between us."
Rudaw Net
02-03-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iran cuts Diyala province electricity: Local official
Also in Iraq Iraq introduces electronic entry visas for select nations Disarming PKK could ease implementation of Shingal Agreement: Yazidi commander Baghdad builds Shingal irrigation project to revive farmland, create jobs Baghdad invites Kurdistan oil producers, KRG for talks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran cut around half of the electricity it provides to Iraq's eastern province of Diyala on Saturday for unknown reasons, causing a partial blackout, a local official said. 'More than 300 megawatts of electricity have been reduced in Diyala. This shortage has severely impacted the electricity situation in the eastern, northern, and northeastern areas of the province,' Aws al-Mahdawi, a member of the Diyala Provincial Council told Rudaw on Sunday. Regarding the cause of the power cut, Mahdawi stated that the reason is still unclear, and they are awaiting clarification from the Iranian side. He mentioned, 'It could be a technical issue or related to re-programming codes.' The Iranian authorities have yet to comment on the issue. The Mirsad power line has been disrupted multiple times in the past. During Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's visit to Tehran in early January, Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil announced that 625 megawatts of electricity would be restored through the Mirsad, Karkha, and Siril lines as part of discussions with Iranian officials. Iraqi areas bordering Iran partially rely on Iranian electricity. Iraq is also heavily dependent on gas imports from the neighboring country to prop up its production of electricity. Washington has repeatedly renewed a four-month waiver to Baghdad in a bid to help the country provide sufficient electricity to its people. The waivers help Iraq bypass existing US sanctions on Iranian exports and are intended to act only as a short-term stopgap until Iraq is able to wean itself off of Iran for its energy needs. The US government in summer extended its sanctions waiver for Iraq to purchase electricity from Iran for another 120 days, which is expiring soon.
