ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi parliament's transport and communications committee has confirmed plans to question Minister of Communications Hayam al-Yasiri and Ali al-Muayyad, head of the Communications and Media Commission (CMC), amid allegations of misconduct. A specific date for the questioning has yet to be determined.

Committee member Haitham al-Fahd told The New Region that “recent meetings focused on potential violations linked to Yasiri and Muayyad's oversight.”

“Key issues to be addressed include the controversial fourth licensing round and ongoing complaints regarding poor internet service provided by the institutions under their purview,” he added.

MP Zahra al-Bajari headed a meeting of the committee last week and identified six critical topics to be discussed during the hearings. Bajari was tasked with leading the questioning of Yasiri, while MP Aqeel al-Fatlawi will question Muayyad.

Bajari blamed Yasiri for a spike in prices of internet services following a failed pricing initiative by the ministry which only continued for four months. She also accused the minister of encouraging monopolistic practices by restricting service availability in some areas, forcing citizens to get subscription with certain companies despite their subpar qualities.

Furthermore, Bajari expressed concern over delays in implementing fiber optic cable services, stating that there has been little progress reported. She also criticized Yasiri for previously removing Wi-Fi distribution towers but later indicating a need to reinstate them.

Bajari also accused the minister of consistently opposing new communications laws passed by the parliament “without knowing their details, as if she wants the ministry to be without a law and to proceed improvised.

The committee’s efforts reflect ongoing frustrations over communication services in Iraq, with calls for accountability from both officials and the public.