Our People > Aliya Haidar

Aliya Haidar

Journalist

Aliya Haidar is a Kazakhstani journalist. She started her career in 1998, and has worked in the country's leading regional and national publications ever since.

Articles

Control Telegram restrictions Disinformation Social Media

Kazakhstan Targets Anonymous Telegram Channels Over Disinformation Concerns

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information has launched a vocal campaign against anonymous Telegram channels, accusing them of fueling misinformation and destabilizing public discourse. Minister Aida Balayeva has called for stricter controls and accountability from both platform administrators and users. Breeding Grounds for Misinformation Minister Aida Balayeva described anonymous Telegram channels as “breeding grounds for lies,” arguing that their content undermines public stability and trust. Balayeva accused their operators of systematically disseminating fake news and orchestrating provocations designed to manipulate public opinion. The ministry, she said, is pursuing legal mechanisms to identify and block such platforms. “Our clear position is the issue of strengthening responsibility for the deliberate spread of fakes. I believe that anonymity should not be a shield for provocateurs,” Balayeva stated, emphasizing that rules should apply equally online and offline. Balayeva cited the recent case of the Telegram channel Qirsabyn, whose administrators were detained in Astana and Karaganda. According to Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the individuals allegedly extorted money by threatening to publish false and compromising information. “I think it is time to sit down at the negotiating table with the Telegram administration,” Balayeva added. Battling War Propaganda Balayeva also addressed efforts by her ministry to counter war-related propaganda, particularly content originating from Russian platforms. According to her, some social networks promote mercenary enlistment for the war in Ukraine, targeting citizens across the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Kazakhstan. The ministry reportedly monitors these platforms and alerts site administrators when illegal or harmful content is identified. “The volume of throw-ins and unlawful materials is huge. In any case, it affects the mood of society, and causes resonances,” Balayeva noted. No Blanket Ban on Platforms While advocating for accountability, Balayeva clarified that Kazakhstan does not aim to impose a blanket ban on social networks. She emphasized that maintaining information integrity is a shared responsibility between government bodies, platform operators, and users. “They often talk about blocking different social networks. I want to say: all this depends not only on the administrators of social networks and the actions of government agencies. First of all, it concerns the users of social networks, who must understand their responsibility in that they are directly responsible for stability in society and for the non-proliferation of false information.” Social Media Restrictions for Minors The conversation on regulating online content has also reached Kazakhstan’s Parliament, where Mazhilis deputy, Zharkynbek Amantayuly recently submitted a request to the Prime Minister proposing restrictions on social media use by minors. Amantayuly referenced models in countries such as China, South Korea, France, the United States, and Australia, where age-based limitations are legally enforced, arguing that Kazakhstan should adopt similar laws to regulate minors’ access to social networks and online games. Telegram Under Global Scrutiny Telegram has come under fire in several countries over its resistance to content moderation. In August 2024, the platform’s founder Pavel Durov was briefly detained at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on suspicions ranging from terrorism to drug trafficking and child exploitation. Durov was released, but French authorities...

3 months ago

Literature book market publishing industry

Restrained Optimism in Kazakhstan’s Book Market

Kazakhstan’s book market remains in a formative stage, according to optimistic voices in the publishing industry. However, the average Kazakhstani still spends far less on books annually than readers in the United States. Optimists Organize Exhibitions Astana will host the 8th Astana Eurasian Book Fair from April 23-27. Organizers promise one of Central Asia’s largest literary events, featuring 70 companies from Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Spain, Portugal, and China, including publishing houses, booksellers, academic institutions, and printers. The Kazakhstani publishing house behind the event is especially upbeat. It plans to accelerate its domestic expansion and grow both sales and its catalog. In 2023, the publisher released 243 projects, approximately 90% of them in Kazakh, according to RegTV. Real Demand Remains Modest Despite this optimism, national statistics suggest a slow uptick in reading interest. In 2024, the volume of services provided by publishing companies increased by just 0.8% year-on-year, according to the Bureau of National Statistics. Much of that figure still reflects newspaper and periodical printing. Textbooks continue to dominate sales, KazTAG reports. Spending data further illustrates the challenge: the average Kazakhstani spends about $3 per year on books, while Russians spend five times as much, according to Spik.kz. Though a third of the population holds library cards, usage statistics are unclear. A 2023 survey by the AMANAT Institute of Public Policy found that only 26.5% of respondents had read at least one book in the previous year. More than half cited a lack of time (52%), while over one-fifth (21.4%) simply said they did not enjoy reading. Among those who did read, the national average was five books per year. Top reading regions include East Kazakhstan (10.6 books), North Kazakhstan (6.95), and Akmola (6.34), while Shymkent (3.8), Ulytau (3.7), and Zhetysu (3.59) ranked lowest, according to Azattyq Rýhy. More than 80% of published titles are textbooks or teaching aids. Markups at retail locations range from 60% to 100%. Comparatively, annual reading averages in France and Canada are 17 books, in the U.S. 12, and in South Korea 11. In the Shadow of the Russian Market Roughly 90% of books sold in Kazakhstan are printed abroad. In 2022 alone, imports from Russia totaled $14.7 million. This dependence hinders the domestic industry’s development, experts argue. Russian e-books cost just a few dollars, while Kazakhstani publications may sell for $20-$30. Writer Bakhytzhan Bukarbai has warned that Russian publishers, facing international sanctions over the war in Ukraine, are relocating to Kazakhstan and dominating the market. “The state must protect its own publishing industry. Protectionism should work to support Kazakhstani publishers,” he told Kursiv. A study by Orda.kz found that Kazakh-language e-books remain underrepresented and often overpriced, unless they are reprints of classics like those by the celebrated writer Abai. However, such titles are already widespread in most households, and readers are seeking new material. High production costs, exacerbated by reliance on imported paper and materials from Russia and China, contribute to the pricing issue. Kazakhstan also lacks robust self-publishing platforms and a developed...

3 months ago

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Trump’s Trade War Against China: Opportunities and Risks for Central Asia

Experts believe that Central Asian countries stand to gain from U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed trade war with China, but the region also faces substantial risks. Kazakhstan Bears the Brunt On April 3, Trump signed an executive order imposing “reciprocal” customs duties on goods from dozens of countries. Kazakhstan faced the steepest tariff in Central Asia at 27%, while Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan each received a flat 10% rate. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade explained that 92% of the country’s exports to the U.S., including crude oil, uranium, silver, and ferroalloys, were among the exempt categories listed in the order. As a result, only 4.8% of total exports to the U.S. would be affected. The government has announced its intent to hold consultations with Washington to avoid further tariffs. More broadly, global economic uncertainty tied to the trade war may cause further weakening of national currencies across Central Asia. Declining demand for oil could depress prices, posing a particular threat to Kazakhstan, where oil is a primary export. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day freeze on additional tariffs, applying a temporary 10% duty for more than 75 countries, excluding China. Open Confrontation with Beijing In a sharp escalation, the U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. Beijing retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods, effectively halting trade. As the Chinese government noted, duties at this level “no longer make economic sense.” On April 13, Trump, responding to pressure from the U.S. business community, reversed duties on processors, computers, smartphones, and electronics. According to Morgan Stanley, 87% of iPhones are made in China, and production of the upcoming iPhone 17 will also be based there. Additionally, four out of five iPads and 60% of Macs are manufactured in China. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged European nations to resist what he described as Trump's erratic trade policies. Central Asia: Strategic Position, Mixed Prospects With Chinese goods effectively shut out of the U.S. market, Beijing is likely to turn to alternative trade routes. While Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam and Malaysia benefitted during the 2018-2019 trade war, this time Trump has also targeted some of them with tariffs, fearing rerouted exports. China’s growing pivot toward Eurasia places the Central Asian countries at a critical transit junction. Their strategic position on land routes to Europe offers untapped potential for trade reorientation. Kyrgyzstan, in particular, has served as a conduit for Chinese goods, with Chinese-manufactured items re-labeled as Kyrgyz products before entering markets across the CIS. This practice, noted as early as 2015, primarily catered to Russia but also extended to Kazakhstan. More recent findings indicate that illegal Chinese imports into Central Asia may total billions of dollars. The existing smuggling infrastructure could be formalized and scaled, facilitating increased regional trade. Long-term benefits could include heightened cargo traffic through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, sparking Chinese investment in logistics infrastructure and creating jobs in transport. Risks of Overreliance The trade conflict may also incentivize some Chinese manufacturers to relocate assembly operations...

3 months ago

Kazakhstan Mashrapbek Baratov incident trial Almaty international airport hostage airport security Crime

Trial Begins in Almaty for Man Who Took Airport Employee Hostage

A trial has opened in Almaty for Mashrapbek Baratov, a 67-year-old man accused of taking a female airport employee hostage and threatening to detonate a bomb inside the terminal. The incident occurred on March 7 at Almaty International Airport, where Baratov, armed with a kitchen knife, seized Botagoz Mukhtarova, a 23-year-old security screening officer. He claimed to be carrying explosives and demanded access through the security area without the proper documents. The situation was quickly defused thanks to the actions of Musa Abdraim, a bystander who had come to the airport to see off an acquaintance. Abdraim, 52, reportedly offered himself in place of the hostage and managed to disarm the attacker at a critical moment. The standoff lasted approximately seven minutes. Abdraim, a former martial artist, was later honored by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the “Yerligi Ushin” (For Bravery) medal for his selflessness and courage. During court proceedings, further details emerged about Baratov’s background. He has been charged under Part 3, Article 293 of the Criminal Code (“Hooliganism with the use of weapons”), Paragraph 4, Part 2, Article 261 (“Hostage-taking”), and Article 273 (“Knowingly false report of an act of terrorism”). According to prosecutors, Baratov, facing financial distress, spontaneously decided to fly to another city but lacked identification and a boarding pass. When Mukhtarova stopped him during screening, he claimed there was a bomb in his backpack, showed her an old button phone, and held a knife to her neck. Testifying in court, Mukhtarova recounted the traumatic experience through tears: “He was alone. I asked for his ID and boarding pass. He said he would blow up the airport in three minutes and showed me a button phone. He grabbed me, I fell. He pulled a knife out of my pocket. I panicked and screamed. He said if anyone came close, he’d detonate the bomb.” Baratov also presented his version in court, claiming he had arrived at the airport by mistake while riding a bus and impulsively decided to fly to Astana in search of work. He admitted to grabbing Mukhtarova and feigning possession of a bomb out of fear of being shot by police. He pleaded guilty to all charges. He also stated that he suffered a concussion while serving in Afghanistan in 1981, and that each spring he experiences bouts of aggression, allegedly due to long-term brain injuries. Reports indicate that in November 2024, Baratov attacked a woman on a bus for speaking loudly on the phone. The incident has raised public concern over airport security protocols. Questions persist over how Baratov managed to bring a knife into the terminal. According to Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov, responsibility for airport security was transferred from the transport police to aviation security services in 2009. He has since pledged to revisit the legislative amendments from that period. “There were changes in 2009. Previously, the transport police managed security. Later, this responsibility shifted to the aviation security service,” Adilov said. “We will review the legislative amendments passed then. After investigation...

3 months ago

EU-Central Asia Summit EU-Central Asia Relations EU Geopolitics Strategic Partnership Kazakhstan Economy

EU-Central Asia Summit Opens New Opportunities for Kazakhstan

The first-ever summit between the European Union and the five Central Asian countries opened on April 3 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The meeting marks a milestone in regional diplomacy, as both sides seek to deepen cooperation amid growing geopolitical shifts. Kazakhstan, in particular, is entering the summit with growing international clout, thanks to its stable economic performance and balanced foreign policy approach. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are representing the EU at the summit, which is being chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. According to official sources, the summit aims to demonstrate mutual geopolitical interest and expand collaboration between Europe and Central Asia across key areas. The agenda includes strengthening multilateral ties, addressing shared security threats, enhancing economic and investment cooperation, and advancing collaboration under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. Focus areas also include energy, climate neutrality, connectivity, and green transition, along with mobility and cultural exchange. The EU is already the region’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 22.6% of Central Asia’s total foreign trade in 2023. It is also the largest source of foreign investment, responsible for over 40% of the region’s total inflows. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is attending the summit, following a bilateral meeting with President Mirziyoyev in Almaty on March 29. Also expected to participate are Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. At the summit, the EU is set to unveil a substantial investment package for Central Asia, with priority sectors including transportation infrastructure, critical raw materials, energy transmission, and digitalization. European Commission President von der Leyen emphasized that Central Asia’s significant natural resources and industrial potential align with Europe’s sustainability goals. “Europe aims to create a complete value chain, not merely purchase raw materials. This is vital for generating local employment and upholding high environmental and social standards,” she said. Additional EU funding will be directed toward green energy projects and improvements to Uzbekistan’s water infrastructure. According to Tair Nigmanov, an international relations expert, the EU’s increased engagement stems from heightened geopolitical rivalry. “We are situated between major powers like Russia and China. The EU, as another global player, wants Central Asia to remain neutral and not gravitate toward any single power center,” Nigmanov told Inform.kz. “To that end, it is offering investment, trade opportunities, and political assurances.” For Kazakhstan, the summit presents a strategic platform to attract investment, reinforce its non-aligned stance, and leverage its growing geopolitical relevance in an increasingly multipolar world.

4 months ago