Page 114 – The Times Of Central Asia

06 Jan 2026

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Home, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Taliban Remove Uzbek Language from Samangan University Sign

January 6, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Taliban have removed Uzbek and Persian inscriptions from the main signboard of Samangan University in northern Afghanistan, replacing them with a new sign written only in Pashto and English. The move, reported by Afghanistan International, has drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about the marginalization of non-Pashtun languages and communities since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Sources told Afghanistan International that the change followed the appointment of a new university head. The previous sign, which featured the university’s name in four languages, Pashto, Persian, Uzbek, and English, was taken down and replaced approximately four days later with a version that excluded the Persian and Uzbek languages. Samangan province is home to a significant ethnic Uzbek population.

The decision has provoked backlash from academics and former officials. Former Faryab governor Naqibullah Faiq condemned the move as “ethno-nationalist,” warning that such actions risk exacerbating ethnic and linguistic tensions in the country. In response, some Uzbek and Persian speakers have publicly called for the reinstatement of their languages on the university sign.

Mohibullah Mohib, a lecturer at Samangan University, wrote on Facebook that the sign change coincided with the institution’s transition from an institute of higher education to a full-fledged university. According to Mohib, the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education ordered the new sign and formally rejected a request to include Uzbek. He added that the ministry’s written response explicitly denied the inclusion of Uzbek alongside the other languages.

This is not the first incident of its kind. In October, the Taliban removed Uzbek from the signboard of Jawzjan University, sparking widespread criticism. Following public outcry, Uzbek was later reinstated on that sign. Over the past four years, the Taliban have faced repeated accusations of sidelining minority languages such as Persian, Uzbek, and Turkmen, including by removing Persian-language signage from government buildings and erasing cultural symbols associated with Persian-speaking poets and writers.

The latest incident has also drawn attention in Uzbekistan. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Akhror Burkhanov told Qalampir.uz that Tashkent is closely monitoring the situation. He emphasized that any potential restrictions on the Uzbek language are a serious concern for Uzbekistan.

Burkhanov stated that Uzbekistan is maintaining an ongoing dialogue with Afghan authorities. According to him, Afghan officials have assured Tashkent that no restrictions on the Uzbek language are currently in place or planned. They have also reiterated their respect for Uzbekistan, the Uzbek language, and the Uzbek people.

06 Jan 2026

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Home, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Life & Culture, Turkmenistan Features, Features

Turkmen Pensioners Decry Government’s Refusal to Index Payments

January 6, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

The Turkmen government’s decision to forgo its customary annual increase in pensions and benefits in 2026 has sparked sharp discontent among elderly citizens. Pensioners, arriving to have their documents updated for the year, have discovered that payment amounts remain unchanged and many are not hiding their anger.

Since January 2, retirees have been visiting social security offices where pension amounts are officially recorded in their books. In previous years, this annual procedure was typically accompanied by an indexation of around 10%, helping to offset inflation and rising prices.

That practice has been discontinued. Pension and social benefit levels remain frozen, despite the ongoing increase in living costs.

The decision not to index pensions was announced in autumn 2025 during a parliamentary session, where honorary elder Yazmyrat Atamyradov proposed a complete halt to increases in salaries, pensions, state benefits, and scholarships. He claimed the “happy people” of Turkmenistan already enjoy a steadily improving standard of living, making additional financial support unnecessary.

The response from the public has been stark. Pensioners are openly criticizing the government and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, not only in social services offices but also in markets, on public transport, and in other public places.

Many older citizens recall a similarly severe decision under the country’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, when pensions were abolished entirely. Witnesses from that time report that some elderly individuals, left without support, were pushed to the brink of survival.

The current cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated the backlash. Over the past year, food prices have surged. Beef has risen from $17.40-$20.30 to $31.90-$33.40 per kilogram, and local apples have jumped from $4.35 to $7.69 per kilogram.

As of January 1, 2025, the minimum pension in Turkmenistan was set at $159.50. That figure remains unchanged in 2026, despite the deepening economic pressures faced by retirees.

06 Jan 2026

Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan to Export Earth Observation Satellites, Expand Digital Infrastructure

January 6, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan plans to manufacture at least five to six remote sensing satellites in the coming years, with some slated for export, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiev announced at a recent government meeting.

Satellite production is managed by Kazkosmos JSC (National Space Center) and Ghalam LLP, while the Republican Space Communications Center JSC oversees satellite operations in orbit. According to Madiev, the ministry supervises these entities, and their production capacities are currently being fully utilized.

“In the coming years, it is planned to launch at least five or six Earth remote sensing satellites at this complex, and part of the production will be focused on export. The expected volume of exports will be about $75 million. The implementation of the project will be the first such experience in the history of Kazakhstan and will allow the formation of high-tech exports,” Madiev said.

He also announced that, starting in 2026, satellite internet will be available on trains operated by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and aboard Air Astana flights. Currently, three satellite internet providers operate in the country, and two foreign companies are expected to enter the market soon. Pilot tests for train and aircraft connectivity are scheduled for this year.

In parallel, local authorities are mandated to provide satellite internet access in tourist areas and hard-to-reach regions, funding the efforts independently. Simultaneously, a nationwide initiative is underway to deliver mobile coverage to 40,000 kilometers of national and regional highways, with completion expected within two years.

The government is also expanding 5G infrastructure, with networks already active in 20 cities and plans to reach up to 75% of urban areas. More than half of the country’s rural settlements are set to gain high-speed internet access via fiber-optic lines over the next two years. As part of the “Last Mile” project, fiber optics will be extended to hundreds of thousands of households.

Additionally, a major international project is underway: the construction of a fiber-optic communication line along the seabed of the Caspian Sea, connecting Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan.

“The project will strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a digital bridge between East and West and increase the stability of international data transmission channels,” Madiev said.

This initiative is set for completion by year’s end. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investing over $50 million into the project.

06 Jan 2026

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Home

Kyrgyzstan Urged to Shift from Rural Focus to Urban Development

January 6, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

Kyrgyzstan must develop modern urban infrastructure and gradually move away from its predominantly rural development model, according to Nurdan Oruntayev, Director of the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utilities.

Speaking to local media, Oruntayev emphasized the need for a strategic transition toward urbanization to drive economic growth and job creation.

Master plans for the development of the towns of Karakol, Manas, and Osh have already been approved. These include the construction of high-rise residential buildings, signaling a broader shift toward urban expansion.

“We must develop cities and move toward an urban infrastructure system. We must have megacities. The construction industry makes a significant contribution to the economy and provides jobs for many citizens,” Oruntayev said.

He noted that the average annual growth in real estate prices in Kyrgyzstan ranges between 20-30 percent, reflecting strong demand and rising investor interest. According to official data, construction has been a primary driver of economic growth in recent years, with GDP growth consistently exceeding 10 percent.

However, this rapid development has raised concerns among local communities. In an interview with the Times of Central Asia, Albina Alimova, a tour guide from Karakol, criticized the city’s master plan for ignoring input from the tourism sector, despite tourism being a key regional revenue source. She warned that unchecked construction was compromising the city’s historical character.

“New buildings are blocking historic sites and views. Karakol has streets with late 19th-century stonework, old merchant houses, and a museum. We take tourists there, in part for the mountain views. But all of this is gradually being built up, and the city’s former appearance may be lost,” she said.

Similar concerns have emerged in Bishkek, where city authorities are preparing a renovation program that would replace older buildings with high-rise developments. Residents say the city’s growing density has disrupted natural wind patterns and worsened environmental conditions. The capital’s master plan, developed with input from St. Petersburg-based urban planners, also flagged excessive building density in some districts as a key issue.

06 Jan 2026

Central Asia Can Depend on Azerbaijan for Path to West, Aliyev Says

January 6, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Azerbaijan is the only “reliable country” that can geographically link Central Asia to the West because alternative routes face geopolitical turbulence, according to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Aliyev spoke about Azerbaijan’s prospects as a key conduit for commerce across borders as well as its deepening relationship with Central Asia during a wide-ranging interview with local television channels in Baku on Monday. He acknowledged that there is still work to be done before Azerbaijan can approach its full potential as what he called a “living bridge” for international trade.

The remarks followed a summit in Uzbekistan in November in which Central Asian leaders supported Azerbaijan’s accession to the region’s Consultative Meeting format as a full participant, even though Azerbaijan is in the South Caucasus. The Consultative Meeting format is a vehicle for high-level collaboration on trade, security, and other issues among Central Asian countries, which have taken steps to resolve border disputes and other sources of tension over the years.

“So many projects have been implemented in recent years that these countries have unanimously elected us as a full member. We can also consider this a great political and diplomatic success,” Aliyev said during the interview. His remarks were published by the state Azerbaijani Press Agency, or APA.

Referring to international connectivity, transport, and logistics, the president said, “Azerbaijan is the only reliable country that can geographically connect Central Asia with the West today,” and, without going into specifics, he alluded to the difficulties that some other trade channels face. Paths through Russia and Iran to the West, for example, are affected by sanctions and long-running political tensions.

“Of course, from a geographical point of view, other routes can also be used. However, taking into account the current geopolitical situation, we can say with complete certainty that alternative routes for the West cannot be considered acceptable,” Aliyev said.

He mentioned developing projects such as a November 2024 agreement involving Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to lay a fiber-optic cable along the Caspian seabed, as well as China’s large-scale funding for the construction of another railway to the Caspian Sea via Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

“Freight traffic to the Caspian Sea, and therefore to Azerbaijan, will increase,” the Azerbaijani president said. “Along with Central Asian countries, additional freight from China will naturally increase the demand for the East–West route, the Middle Corridor.”

A September analysis by the Washington-based Jamestown research group suggested that prospects are bright for Azerbaijan, which has actively positioned itself as a trade hub since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“Amid disruptions in both the northern and southern corridors, Azerbaijan has emerged as a critical logistics hub, offering a sanction-free, resilient, and stable environment to facilitate overland trade between the PRC (China) and Europe through the Middle Corridor,” analyst Yunis Sharifli wrote.

In addition, Azerbaijan expects cargo from China and Central Asia to travel along a proposed route that would link the main part of Azerbaijan to the separate Azerbaijani area of Nakhchivan, passing through Armenia and then joining with Türkiye and European markets beyond. Such a link would make land trade between East Asia and Europe more efficient, though Armenia is concerned that the plan threatens its sovereignty.

In August, Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump acting as a mediator in the peace initiative between the former battlefield foes.

05 Jan 2026

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Tokayev Calls Nuclear Power a Correction of Kazakhstan’s “Historical Absurdity”

January 5, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described Kazakhstan’s push to build nuclear power plants as a correction of a “historical absurdity”, namely, that a nation which ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters of uranium has yet to harness this resource for domestic electricity generation.

In October 2024, a nationwide referendum showed broad public support for the development of nuclear energy. Following the vote, Tokayev announced plans to construct at least two nuclear power plants, with a third to follow.

In June 2025, Russian state corporation Rosatom was selected to build the country’s first nuclear power plant near the village of Ulken, on the western shore of Lake Balkhash, about 400 kilometers northwest of Almaty. Contracts for the second and third plants were later signed with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

“The construction of several nuclear power plants is, on the one hand, a correction of the historical absurdity – to be a world leader in the production of uranium and not to build any nuclear power plants, on the other, it is the prestige of Kazakhstan,” Tokayev said in an interview with Turkistan newspaper, published on the official Akorda website.

According to Tokayev, reliable electricity generation is essential for Kazakhstan’s transition to a new technological model of the economy. He emphasized that the development of supercomputers, data centers, and automated industrial systems requires substantial energy resources.

“This is the reality of the new global technological order,” he stated.

Tokayev has consistently argued that Kazakhstan must become a digital power, framing digitalization as a matter of national survival. He believes society is mentally prepared for innovation, citing the success of fintech companies and the expansion of digital government services.

“We have good starting conditions and have made progress in the digitalization of public services, fintech, and several sectors of the economy. The ecosystem supporting IT startups is functioning effectively,” the president noted. He added that for continued progress, Kazakhstan requires stable, environmentally friendly, and high-capacity energy sources, needs best met by nuclear power.

Tokayev also highlighted the importance of personnel in building a nuclear energy sector. He said the development of nuclear power will contribute to the emergence of a new class of technical intelligentsia, which could ultimately influence state policy.

“Qualified specialists are needed to create modern energy sources. The head of NVIDIA, the world’s largest company by market capitalization, predicts that in the near future, multimillionaires will include representatives of technical professions, the so-called ‘blue-collar workers’,” Tokayev said.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to train nuclear energy specialists abroad through the Bolashak state program.