To start the visit, al-Hakim visited the grave of former PUK leader Jalal Talabani in Dabashan to pay his respects to the late Iraqi president.

During a press conference, he said that salary disbursement to the Kurdistan Region’s public servants should not be delayed because of political disputes and that he hoped that Erbil and Baghdad can reach an agreement before the draft 2021 Federal Budget Law goes before the Council of Representatives for a vote this coming week, NRT reported.

During a ceremony held later at Talari Hunar, Sheikh Jangi said in a speech that the PUK is concerned about any attempt to create obstacles to reaching an agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and federal officials.

He said that the Kurdistan Region is part of Iraq and its citizens expect the Region’s budget share to be secured in a fair manner.

He added that early elections should be held freely and without violence.

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