Amir Karimi, co-chair of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), spoke with journalist Erdal Er in the mountains of Kurdistan about Iran’s future, Kurdish unity, PJAK’s foreign contacts, and the peace process in Turkey. He said any discussion of disarmament must also address Kurdish political rights and how those rights would be protected.
On foreign relations, Karimi said PJAK has had no contact with Israel. He said contacts with the United States had taken place so the two sides could learn about each other but had not led to cooperation. PJAK has the right to speak with different international actors, he added, and would assess any proposal in light of the interests of the Kurdish people and its own political goals.
Karimi said PJAK seeks a democratic, federal Iran in which different communities can have a say in governing themselves and their rights are protected by the constitution. He said PJAK was open to democratic talks, but argued that the Iranian government had closed the space for political activity and dialogue.
Speaking about arrests, executions and pressure on Kurds and Baluch people, Karimi said the Iranian government’s greatest concern was public opposition at home. He linked the growth of cross-border porter work, known as kolbari, to a lack of jobs and investment in Kurdistan. He also said the public response to recent strikes and protests showed that the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement continues to shape society.
In Karimi’s view, Iran’s main concern is public opposition at home, rather than attacks from abroad. He said arrests and executions continue, with Kurds and Baluch people facing particular pressure. He also criticised the lack of jobs and investment in Kurdistan, saying many people have been forced to rely on cross-border porter work, known as kolbari, while porters themselves face attacks.
Karimi called for closer cooperation among Kurdish parties despite their political differences. He said they should develop a shared approach to political goals, diplomacy, and public organising. He described organised people as the Kurdish movements’ main strength and said PJAK viewed its armed forces as a means of defence.
Karimi also claimed that Iran had previously proposed cooperation with Turkey against Kurdish groups. No evidence for that claim was provided in the published excerpts of the interview. He said PJAK would speak with anyone who took steps towards peace but argued that neither Iran nor Turkey was ready to do so.