The Iraqi government announced the expansion of Iraq's anti-corruption campaign and a shift to program-based budgeting for the upcoming fiscal year. The Council approved new energy deals with Halliburton and HKN Energy while advancing international arbitration regarding ExxonMobil contracts.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the regular session of the Council of Ministers yesterday night, in which the cabinet discussed the latest developments in the country, boosted anti-corruption efforts, launched a one-million-plot housing initiative, and approved major energy and tax reforms. 

PM Al-Zaidi Vows ‘No Tolerance’ in Anti-Corruption Crackdown 

During the meeting, al-Zaidi “affirmed that the government’s recent anti-corruption campaign represents only the first phase.” 

Al-Zaidi emphasized that the government will aggressively combat corruption and recover public funds to safeguard the interests of the Iraqi people, adding that “there will be no tolerance in fulfilling this responsibility.” 

“The situation can no longer be ignored,” he noted, pledging to combat corruption, recover stolen assets, and responsibly protect public funds to safeguard the interests of the Iraqi people.

Following the confessions of jailed former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, the government launched a massive anti-corruption crackdown, resulting in the arrest of 47 high-profile politicians, lawmakers, and businessmen.

MP Sherwan Dubardani told Channel8 earlier that parliament lifted immunity to allow the arrest of targeted lawmakers, revealing that the anti-corruption warrant list contains nearly 120 individuals

Al-Zaidi ordered oversight bodies to review all government performance reports to uncover corruption, noting that Iraq is moving past decades of instability by strengthening state authority and protecting public funds.

Iraqi Cabinet Shifts to Program-Based Budgeting 

The cabinet indicated that “work is underway to prepare next year’s budget based on the program budgeting approach.” The upcoming budget will fund 25,000 megawatts of new electricity capacity this year to boost the national grid while accelerating the One Million Residential Plots housing initiative.

The Council of Ministers approved the "One Million Residential Plots Initiative" as a strategic project to provide serviced land and infrastructure to eligible citizens in all governorates. 

To create the main plan, establish eligibility rules, allocate land, and secure financing, the cabinet approved a new Higher Committee chaired by the Prime Minister to manage the housing initiative.

Iraq Approves Major Oil Deals With Halliburton and HKN Energy 

The cabinet also discussed the energy sector, where the Council exempted all contracts with ExxonMobil from a previous 2018 resolution. 

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Oil was directed to continue international arbitration to protect Iraq's financial rights. The government approved a five-year contract with an optional three-year extension for Halliburton to provide field management and construction services to the Basra Oil Company. 

Authorizing the immediate start of petroleum operations, the Council approved awarding the Himreen Oil Field development contract to HKN Energy.