Parliament prepares first law to regulate Communications Ministry

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee is preparing legislation to regulate the Ministry of Communications for the first time since the institution was established, a committee member said Sunday.

Hiam al-Yasiri told the Iraqi News Agency that the proposed law would define the ministry’s structure, responsibilities, policies and objectives, as well as its role in the telecommunications sector. She said the legislation aims to resolve overlapping authorities between institutions. “The goal of the legislation is to eliminate jurisdictional overlap between relevant authorities in the sector, ensuring each institution has clearly defined responsibilities to avoid future conflicts,” she said.

Al-Yasiri, who previously served as communications minister before winning a parliamentary seat, said the ministry and its affiliated companies date back over a century but have never been governed by a dedicated law — a gap she described as a major institutional shortcoming at a time of rapid technological development.

Parliament approved Mustafa Sanad as communications minister Thursday. Nine of the government’s 23 ministries have yet to be confirmed after political parties failed to reach consensus during the session.