An Iraqi lawmaker has demanded that the Finance Ministry recover more than 26.4 trillion Iraqi dinars. The money represents unpaid dues owed to the federal treasury by state-owned companies and self-funded government directorates. The demand comes as Baghdad continues efforts to strengthen public finances and reduce fiscal pressure.
MP Haidar Al-Mutairi submitted a formal request to the Finance Ministry on Tuesday. He asked officials to explain why the government has not collected the outstanding funds. The amount totals 26,435,661,000,000 Iraqi dinars, or about $20.2 billion.
Iraq treasury dues accumulated across several fiscal years, according to findings from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit. The audit records cover outstanding amounts through December 31, 2025. These obligations include state profit shares and other revenues that public entities should have transferred to the federal treasury.
Al-Mutairi cited constitutional oversight powers and provisions under the Council of Representatives Law. He also referred to official findings from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit. The lawmaker wants the Finance Ministry to provide a clear explanation for the delayed collections.
The MP said the outstanding amount represents a major financial resource for the Iraqi government. He argued that the money could cover the federal public sector payroll for four consecutive months. Recovering these funds could therefore provide additional financial space for the state.
The parliamentary request also calls for an administrative investigation. Al-Mutairi wants the Finance Ministry to determine why government entities failed to transfer the required funds. He also called for cases involving negligence to reach the Federal Integrity Commission.
Iraq treasury dues involve funds linked to public companies and self-financed state institutions. These entities operate with greater financial independence than many traditional government departments. However, they still have obligations toward the federal treasury under Iraqi financial rules.
The issue has gained attention as Iraq faces continued pressure to manage government spending. Oil revenues remain the main source of public income. Any failure to collect money from state institutions can further limit the government’s available resources.
Recovering unpaid dues could also strengthen financial discipline across state-owned enterprises. Regular transfers would improve government revenue collection and make public finances easier to monitor. Stronger enforcement could also discourage institutions from delaying payments over long periods.
The parliamentary inquiry places additional pressure on the Finance Ministry to act. Lawmakers are seeking greater accountability from entities that hold or generate public money. They also want senior officials held responsible when institutions fail to meet their financial obligations.
Iraq treasury dues could become an important issue in upcoming discussions about fiscal reform. Collecting the outstanding funds would not solve all of Iraq’s financial challenges. However, it could provide a significant source of revenue without relying entirely on new borrowing or higher oil income.
The case also highlights the importance of audit findings in Iraq’s financial oversight system. Supreme Audit Board reports can identify unpaid revenues and weaknesses in public financial management. Parliament can then use those findings to demand action from government ministries.
Al-Mutairi’s demand reflects growing legislative pressure for stronger financial controls. The government faces the challenge of recovering old debts while improving future collection systems. Effective enforcement could help protect public funds and reduce losses across state institutions.