SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) forum kicked off in Sulaimani city on Saturday, aiming to reformulate the party’s policy.
The forum which coincides with the anniversary of PUK’s foundation is scheduled to last three to four days, according to PUK media.
Previously, the PUK held its forum in Duhok, Erbil, Kirkuk, Garmian, Halabja, Sharazoor, Raparin, Baghdad and Khanaqin, aimed to hear “proposals and criticisms” of the party’s members.
The forum is an attempt to renew the party’s capabilities to serve the Kurdistan Region’s people and an “important reason” to strengthen the desire of reform in the party’s institutions and organs, according to the PUK. It is also an attempt to reformulate the PUK’s policy and vision for all issues, it said.
“This forum is a national call to discuss the PUK’s current situation and identity and to renew its political and social discourses and to further develop them so that it can prepare to fulfill its duties with a new vision and to better serve Kurdistan’s people and territory.”
Qubad Talabani, supervisor of the PUK forum, said the forum was a “real step for reform and renewal and to formulate new and modern policies”.
Talabani further said more than 12,000 people had participated in the process and more than 130 meetings had been held in the past six months.
Nearly 1,500 reports, notes and criticisms were given to the forum’s committees during the period, he added.
“We need a clear vision,” he noted during the forum. “People are waiting on us to join them with a clear vision. People want the PUK because they know it is the PUK that can reform, lead this nation and end autocracy in Kurdistan.”
Regarding the issues related to environment and gender quality, Talabani said the PUK should have policies for environmental issues including sandstorm which now the world and Kurdistan are facing.
“We need to have a vision for gender equality. The party must have a policy on the issue of women as well,” he added.
