The president of the PUK issued a statement on the recent demonstration at Lajan village. Below is the context of the statement:
"The PUK is extremely concerned by the recent unrest in Erbil/Lajan. We urge the government to exercise restraint. The people affected have legitimate concerns, and their voices must be heard.
The message of the honourable Harkis and all those impacted has been received, and we call on protesters to respect the rule of law.
The violence must stop. As the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, we stand ready to assist, restore calm, and secure the rightful demands of citizens. This is a sensitive moment for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and Kurds must remain united as the process of government formation continues in Baghdad.
We are prepared to work with both protesters and the authorities to achieve a peaceful resolution. And the areas must be demilitarised."