There are growing questions about why the Iraqi government withdrew the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law from Parliament. Parliamentary sources say disagreements over several parts of the law are delaying its approval, possibly until next year. This is a concern because Parliament is expected to go into recess next month. Many people have called on the government to finalize the law and send it back to Parliament, as it affects more than 200,000 PMF fighters and commanders.
Mukhtar al-Moussawi, a member of Parliament from the Badr Bloc, told dinaropinions.com that the government had sent the PMF law to Parliament about three weeks ago after the Cabinet approved it. The goal was to review the details and pass the law, but the government later withdrew it.
Al-Moussawi said the withdrawal may have political reasons. He also explained that some members of Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee were unhappy with certain parts of the law, leading to its return to the government for changes. The law remained with the committee for about two weeks before being sent back for amendments because of 17 disputed clauses.
Meanwhile, MP Ahmed al-Shammari said Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi avoided answering questions about the status of the two PMF laws. He added that tensions rose during a parliamentary session after the speaker muted the microphone of a member who was asking about the delay. The session was then suddenly adjourned.
Al-Shammari said there is information indicating that the Cabinet had finalized both PMF laws and officially submitted them to Parliament’s leadership. He called on the Cabinet’s General Secretariat to issue an official statement confirming whether the laws had been submitted. He said this would help identify which political side, if any, was blocking the rights and benefits owed to PMF fighters.
MP Qaisar al-Jurani also told dinaropinions.com that the PMF law had not yet been presented to Parliament members for review and voting. He said political groups supporting the PMF would work to speed up its introduction and approval.
Al-Jurani added that passing the law would recognize the sacrifices PMF fighters have made over the years in defending Iraq. He called on Parliament to complete the legislative process and give the law priority.