KDP official criticizes PUK leadership in Sulaimani, calls for KDP support in upcoming elections
Hawrami claimed that under the current PUK administration, Sulaimani faces deteriorating conditions, including increased unemployment and a lack of safety for its residents.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Hemin Hawrami, a member of the Political Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), delivered strong criticism of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leadership in Sulaimani during an interview on Kurdistan24’s X program, hosted by Kovan Ezzat.
Hawrami claimed that under the current PUK administration, Sulaimani faces deteriorating conditions, including increased unemployment and a lack of safety for its residents.
"Because of the current officials of the PUK, no one in Sulaimani owns their own house, and every day someone is killed," Hawrami stated.
He attributed these issues to the financial and administration decentralization in Sulaimani, alleging that it has resulted in economic stagnation. “Since the decentralization of financial administration was given to Sulaimani, the unemployment rate has increased and projects have stopped,” he added.
Hawrami further accused the PUK of fostering an environment of violence and lawlessness in Sulaimani, specifically referencing incidents such as the killing of Ari Chaichi.
“They have thrown a group of hoodlums into the streets of Sulaimani, and they assassinate people like Ari Chaichi every day. They carry out intimidation and extort money from people daily,” he claimed.
Appealing to the residents of Sulaimani, Hawrami urged them to consider the KDP as a viable alternative in the upcoming elections.
“That’s why we ask the people of Sulaimani to choose KDP and this time test KDP. We ask all the people of Kurdistan to give greater confidence to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) so that your future can be protected, your present can be further developed, and your homes can be safeguarded,” he emphasized.
Hawrami criticized the PUK’s push for financial and administrative decentralization in Sulaimani, claiming it had failed to deliver on promises of local economic improvement.
“They argued that the revenues of Sulaimani would enable the local administration to provide exceptional services. Yet, despite gaining administrative and financial autonomy, the situation in Sulaimani has worsened,” he remarked.
Citing recent data from the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, Hawrami claimed that since the decentralization began, the unemployment rate among Sulaimani’s youth has risen by about 4 percent.
He asserted that, contrary to the PUK’s claims, the level of services has declined. “The current authoritarian authorities in Sulaimani must be ended to ensure comprehensive governance in the Kurdistan Region,” Hawrami concluded.
With the sixth session of parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region set for October 20, the KDP is urging voters to support their vision of development and stability across the region.