As part of reform package, KRG changes heads of top offices

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – As part of a series of radical reforms implemented by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) within the framework of the broad reform process, the Kurdistan Region’s Ministries of Interior and Transport on Thursday appointed new director generals to the region’s police and Erbil International Airport.   

In an official ceremony held on Thursday morning, Major General Tariq Ahmed, a human rights activist, assumed his official duties as Director General of the Kurdistan Region’s Police.

Last July, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued a regional decree appointing Major General Tariq Ahmed as Director-General of the region’s police.

In the ceremony attended by Interior Minister Reber Ahmed, the handover process took place between the former director, Major General Bakhtyar Qadir, and the new director, Major General Ahmed.

After officially assuming his duties, Major General Ahmed said the security that the Kurdistan Region enjoys has been achieved thanks to close cooperation between all security institutions, the Peshmerga and the people.

Ahmed urged all sides “to support the security institutions,” referring to the new government’s action program, which aims at sincerity in work and cooperation among all the joints of the ministry.

“The directorates of the Interior Ministry are among the most important departments that are in direct contact with the daily life of citizens, and radical reform is needed,” Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed said during the ceremony.

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has said on more than one occasion that reform is at the top of the government’s priorities. The new government, the ninth in the region, has made strides in the reform process. However, the prime minister has repeatedly stated that this will not be achieved overnight, and it is a process that will have long-term results.

At the same time, Ahmed Hoshyar assumed his official duties as Director General of Erbil International Airport, succeeding the former director Talar Faiq, who had held the position for 10 years.

The new Director General of Erbil International Airport told Kurdistan 24 that the next stage would witness “changes” that include providing major possible facilities for travellers and enhancing commercial traffic through the airport.

“We will work around the clock for the good convenience of travellers,” Hoshyar added.

After the fall of the former Iraqi regime in 2003, the KRG decided to convert a military base into a civilian airport and began the project in July 2003. On Dec. 15, the first plane landed at the airport, after which it began flights to neighbouring countries.

Gradually, flights to European countries began in 2005. After the increase in flights, the KRG decided to expand the airport and build a longer runway according to international standards.

After completing the construction of the airport project on April 29, 2005, it was officially inaugurated, and in May of the same year, the airport received its code (ORER) by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany