Clarification from Office of Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq regarding health condition of MP Dr. Kazim Faruq

Clarification to all media channels and outlets:

In a telephone conversation this evening with Dr. Zahir Faruq, the brother of MP Dr. Kazim Faruq, Kurdistan Parliament Speaker enquired about Dr. Kazim’s current health condition and was informed that his condition is unstable and that he is under artificial respiration.

Regarding Dr. Kazim Farooq’s salary and financial rights, which have been the subject of speculation, he is still a Member of Parliament and according to the laws in force, he should receive his salary. And per Article 120 of Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure, he will receive help with his medical expenses. It is the legal right and decision of the Speaker of Parliament to decide on the continuation of his salary, and his monthly pay is being deposited into his account. However, we have been told by Dr. Kazim’s family that since his resignation neither he nor his family have withdrawn his salary payments from his account. What is important now is that we all pray for him.

We call on all media outlets to respect the privacy and feelings of his family and relatives and to deal with this issue with sensitivity.

Office of Dr. Rewaz Faiq, Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament

26 October 2022