A group of Iraqi lawmakers is pushing to secure the release of outstanding payments owed to members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), with efforts underway to place the issue on Parliament’s agenda.
Ahmed Shahid, Deputy Head of the “Abshir Ya Iraq” bloc, announced that signatures have been collected from members of Parliament to support a proposal that would require the government to include and release the unpaid PMF allocations within the 2026 federal budget.
According to Shahid, the move is intended to ensure that PMF personnel receive financial entitlements that were previously approved but remain unpaid.
He explained that the outstanding payments were originally included in the 2023 budget but were suspended during the previous government’s term. As a result, many PMF members have not yet received funds they believe they are entitled to under existing budget provisions.
Shahid said the parliamentary initiative seeks to guarantee fairness for PMF fighters and ensure that all approved financial obligations are paid in accordance with the law and budget allocations.
He stressed that the government should fulfill its financial commitments without further delays, noting that many PMF members have been waiting for these payments for an extended period.
The proposal is expected to be discussed in Parliament as lawmakers continue reviewing budget-related issues and government spending priorities. If approved, it could increase pressure on the government to address the outstanding payments as part of future budget implementation plans.
The issue remains part of broader discussions surrounding public spending, financial obligations, and the allocation of state resources within Iraq’s budget framework.
