Badr Organization lawmaker says foreign hand behind Iraq's power sector corruption

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A lawmaker from the Badr Organization, a member of the ruling coalition, said on Thursday that foreign influence is shaping Iraq's electricity file and that corruption is concentrated in two ministries. MP Abdullah al-Haykani told reporters that the ministries most affected by corruption are the Electricity Ministry and the Oil Ministry, describing electricity-sector graft as a long-standing problem rather than a recent development. Al-Haykani said the prime minister's upcoming visit to Iran would focus primarily on natural gas, with other issues to be discussed on the sidelines. He added that the Badr Organization supports the premier's Washington visit and that the Coordination Framework backs the trip as well. The lawmaker argued that the main source of revenue since 2003 has been income generated from the electricity sector. He said Dhi Qar occupies a distinct and exceptional position compared with other provinces in terms of resources, adding that the problems in the province stem from local authorities bearing greater responsibility than the central government.