Sarko Sleman – Activists
The officials of the PUK and KDP, who for decades have exploited the people’s backs and shoulders for their own gain, and left behind enormous wealth for their descendants, shamelessly continue to receive salaries from Baghdad—while offering nothing but hollow words of gratitude and dignity to the people.
Within the Iraqi government and its institutions, hundreds of KDP and PUK-affiliated officials receive monthly salaries through biometric registration. These include the President of Iraq and his deputy, four Kurdish ministers in al-Sudani’s cabinet, numerous lower-ranking officials in ministries and federal departments, around 70 members of the Iraqi parliament, hundreds of former parliamentarians now enjoying retirement benefits, and five members of the Federal Supreme Court. All of them consistently receive their salaries on time from Baghdad.
These same KDP and PUK officials appear on television, appealing to emotions and claiming to represent Kurdish identity and cause—while selling that very identity to the public. Anyone who dares to criticize them is immediately labeled as anti-Kurdish or accused of siding with the enemy. Meanwhile, they themselves hold hundreds of privileged posts in Baghdad and draw salaries without hesitation.
Some people ask: why does receiving salaries via biometric registration not tarnish the dignity of these elites, but it is seen as shameful for ordinary civil servants? Others respond: let the elites have dignity and morals; let us have our salaries. Because those who speak the most of ethics and national pride are often the ones least bound by them.
There was once a time when Kurdish officials refused to receive their salaries from Baghdad until the salaries of all public servants in the Kurdistan Region were paid. But not anymore. Now, not only do they collect their own pay first, they also issue statements justifying the delay and blaming others—while continuing their baseless threats against Baghdad and acting as if nothing has changed.
For the past eleven years under this ruling class, people have been told to endure and be patient—while public servants have been left relying solely on their salaries for survival. Yet the KDP and PUK remain in control of the system that continues to suffocate the region economically.
It’s disheartening to see how those in power continue to exploit the system while the people suffer. The hypocrisy of claiming to represent Kurdish identity while prioritizing personal gain is glaring. How can they justify receiving salaries from Baghdad while ordinary citizens struggle? Their actions only deepen the divide and erode trust. Isn’t it time for accountability and transparency? What steps can be taken to ensure that the people’s needs come first? Their hollow words and empty promises are no longer enough. When will they truly serve the people they claim to represent?