Baghdad: The Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee has announced the completion of the draft for the second amendment to the Internal Security Forces Service and Retirement Law. This development marks a significant step forward in revising the framework that governs the service and retirement conditions of the internal security forces.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, committee member MP Othman al-Shibani revealed the details of the amendment, highlighting the establishment of an optional retirement age between 40 and 42 years, with a prerequisite of at least 15 years of actual service. This initiative aims to provide more flexibility in the retirement plans of Ministry of Interior personnel.

Al-Shibani also addressed challenges from the Retirement Authority, which initially objected to the proposed optional retirement due to insufficient financial allocations. The committee intervened to resolve these concerns, paving the way for the first reading of the draft law in the current legislative session.

Furthermore, the committee plans to engage with leading figures from various security agencies, including the Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region, to evaluate the preparedness of Iraqi armed forces and security services. This assessment is particularly pertinent following the September 30th withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

In a bid to maintain transparency, the committee is closely monitoring the admission processes at the Higher Institute, the Police College, and the Commissioners’ Institute under the Ministry of Interior, ensuring that all procedures adhere to clear and impartial criteria.