Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has directed the Integrity Commission to investigate allegations of financial misconduct involving an internet company, following reports linking the firm to the son of President Latif Rashid.

Government Spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi stated that Sudani instructed the commission to scrutinize statements from the Ministry of Communications regarding internet smuggling and the contract granted to private service provider IQ. He also called for coordination with the Parliamentary Integrity Committee to determine whether a new contract had been signed with the company.

The Ministry of Transport has denied reports that IQ was awarded a new 10-year contract, rejecting claims made by MP Hanan Fatlawi. In a televised interview, Communications Minister Hiam Yasseri confirmed that one of IQ’s owners is the son of the Iraqi president. Rashid’s office has not responded to the allegations.

Fatlawi previously accused the ministry of renewing a contract with a company allegedly involved in smuggling internet bandwidth, which she claims has cost the federal government around 991 billion dinars. She posted on X that despite prior legal action against the company, the ministry had signed a new deal allowing it to continue operations.

The controversy has sparked concerns over transparency and corruption in Iraq’s telecommunications sector, prompting calls for greater accountability in government contracts.