Former Pakistani PM: Iraq’s partition should be in hands of people

The people of Iraq have the right to decide how to live, but partitioning should not create mass displacement and destruction of lives, said Pakistan’s former prime minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday.

MOSCOW, Russia (Kurdistan24) – The people of Iraq have the right to decide how to live, but partitioning should not create mass displacement and destruction of lives, said Pakistan’s former prime minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday.

“It is up to Iraq and Kurdistan to decide what they have to do, but the will of the people must be respected,” Aziz told Kurdistan24.

The former Pakistani PM was attending an international conference called “The Middle East: When Will Tomorrow Come?” held by the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow.

Aziz mentioned both sides had to decide whether they wanted to live together or break up.

Regarding the partitioning of Iraq, Aziz stressed the importance of human lives and that the consequences of displacement should be considered. 

He added armed conflict and terrorism were not a solution.

“Naturally, the will of the people has to prevail. However, there is a lot of advantages of being together. I am not talking about Iraq and Kurdistan specifically, but in general,” Aziz said.

Iraqi people should have alternative options if they decide to depart, the former Pakistani PM continued.

According to Aziz, “the national fabric and the viability of the country” depends on the capacity of its resources, infrastructure, and capital.

Additionally, he explained it was important neighboring countries gave a supportive view toward a decision to split.

He believes nowadays countries cannot live in isolation.

 

In the past years, the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani called for a referendum on the Region’s independence.

Moreover, President Barzani believes the people of Kurdistan have the right to decide their future.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany