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Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan mourns 38 killed in plane crash in Kazakhstan

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Azerbaijan mourns 38 killed in plane crash in Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432, which crashed during an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, was reportedly struck by a Russian surface-to-air missile. The missile, fired amidst drone activity over Grozny, hit the aircraft mid-flight, scattering shrapnel that injured passengers and crew. Despite the pilots’ calls for an emergency landing, Russian airports denied the request, … Read more

SCO Summit: PM urges collective efforts for peace, development

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SCO

ASTANA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to SCO objectives of peace and prosperity, urged the member states to put in their collective efforts against terrorism, poverty alleviation and dispute resolution, particularly the ongoing Israeli barbarism in Palestine.

“I reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to working together to strengthen SCO as an active and integrated regional forum to achieve the common objective of peace and prosperity in line with the Shanghai spirit,” the prime minister said addressing the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which commenced here in the capital city of Kazakhstan.

Titled “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity,” the summit is being attended by leaders from Pakistan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, India and others.

The prime minister’s address encompassed all major regional and international issues including terrorism and extremism, Islamophobia, instability in Afghanistan, poverty, climate change, regional connectivity, and resolution of disputes.

The prime minister said that Astana held significance for Pakistan where the country had formally joined the SCO in 2017 and congratulated Belarus for being the newest member.

He also felicitated Chinese President Xi Jinping on assuming the SCO chairmanship for 2024-25 and expressed confidence that under his visionary leadership, SCO would continue to grow and prosper.

Highlighting Pakistan’s ideal geostrategic location, the prime minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) also supplemented the SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic integration.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling the lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan the linchpin to achieving the SCO objective, urged the international community to meaningfully engage with the interim Afghan government to help meet their economic needs.

Similarly, the interim Afghan government must also take effective measures to prevent the use of its soil for terrorism against any other state, he stressed.

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PM Shehbaz joins world leaders as 4th SCO summits starts

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PM Shehbaz

ASTANA:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined the world leaders at the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which commenced here in the capital city of Kazakhstan.

Being held at the Independence Palace, the summit is being attended by leaders from Pakistan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, India and others.

As Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived at the venue, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warmly received him and both leaders shook hands.

The prime minister will present Pakistan’s perspectives on key regional and global issues at the summit titled “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity.”

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PM departs for Kazakhstan to attend twin SCO summits

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Kazakhstan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departed from Dushanbe to Astana, Kazakhstan on Wednesday to attend the twin summits of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) and SCO Plus scheduled from July 3-4, 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, senior cabinet members and officers accompanied the prime minister.

The prime minister will present Pakistan’s perspectives on key regional and global issues at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State meeting. He will also address the SCO Plus Summit.

Prime Minister Shehbaz will present Pakistan’s position on key regional and global issues, emphasizing the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the welfare of the SCO region’s people.

He will also hold meetings with leaders participating the summits.

He is likely to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The prime minister is also likely to attend a round of trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan expected to take place on Wednesday.

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Ishaq Dar meets with President of Kazakhstan

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Ishaq Dar

ASTANA: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Presidential Palace “Akorda”, as part of SCO Foreign Ministers’ audience.

The deputy prime minister conveyed sincere greetings and warm wishes from the president and the prime minister of Pakistan to the Kazakh president and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong desire to further expand cooperation with Kazakhstan in all spheres.

The deputy prime minister appreciated the role of the leadership of both countries in strengthening the mutually beneficial multifaceted ties and cooperation in multilateral forums.

He highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s Presidency of SCO and reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to the success of the Kazakh Summit to be held in July in Astana.

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Tragedy Strikes: Deadly Blast Claims Lives of Kazakh Coal Miners

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Tragedy Strikes: Deadly Blast Claims Lives of Kazakh Coal Miners

Tragic methane gas explosion in Kazakhstan’s Kostenko mine claims 45 coal miners’ lives. Over 200 miners successfully evacuated, with one still missing; search efforts continue. ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer, owns the mine, operated by ArcelorMittal Temirtau. A methane gas explosion at a mine in Kazakhstan has tragically claimed the lives of 45 coal … Read more

Kazakh President to visit Pakistan for strengthening economic ties: Ambassador

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Kazakh President

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin has said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is scheduled to visit Pakistan in the near future to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations. A business delegation of Kazakhstan led by Ambassador of Kazakhstan Mr Yerzhan Kistafin, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and showed interest in exploring … Read more

UN torture prevention body terminates visit to Australia

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Australia
  • SPT concluded its most recent session with a decision to cancel its suspended visit to Australia.
  • The Subcommittee required a variety of assurances from the State Party.
  • The subcommittee could not ascertain that it would be able to resume its visit in a reasonable timeframe.

GENEVA – The United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) concluded its most recent session with a decision to cancel its suspended visit to Australia and confirmations of visits to South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Madagascar in the first half of this year, as well as Croatia, Georgia, Guatemala, the State of Palestine, and the Philippines in the second half of 2023.

Due to challenges in carrying out its mission under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Subcommittee decided to conclude its visit to Australia, which had been suspended on 23 October last year (OPCAT). In order to resume its visit, the Subcommittee required a variety of assurances from the State Party. Nevertheless, some of the needed promises were not provided, and the Subcommittee could not ascertain that it would be able to resume its visit in a reasonable timeframe.

“Despite the good cooperation the Subcommittee has with the Australian Federal Authorities following our initial mission, there is no alternative but to terminate the visit as the issue of unrestricted access to all places of deprivation of liberty in two states has not yet been resolved,” said Suzanne Jabbour, the newly re-elected Chairperson of the SPT.

“Nevertheless, a report based on what the SPT observed during its October visit before the suspension will be shared with the State party as soon as possible. It will enable ongoing communication with the Australian Government,” she added.

The SPT also finalized plans to visit South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Madagascar in 2023, as well as Croatia, Georgia, Guatemala, the State of Palestine, and the Philippines.

In each country visit, the SPT will engage with public authorities responsible for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, as well as assist the country’s independent torture prevention watchdog, formally known as the National Prevention Mechanism (NPM), where relevant.

In addition, the SPT has decided to hold a public consultation on its first general remark, a legal guide on the concept of locations of deprivation of liberty. In preparation for the public discussion at its June meeting, the SPT will publish its initial draught in three working languages to solicit feedback from all stakeholders.

“This is an important development, and we call on all interested parties to provide input to enrich the draft,” said Jabbour.

In addition, the Subcommittee held an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the OPCAT and the 15th anniversary of the SPT with States Parties, NPMs, other UN agencies, and other concerned parties.

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Prince Harry decided to end relationship with Cressida Bonas after Kazakhstan trip

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Prince Harry Cressida Bonas

Prince Harry ended his relationship with  Cressida Bonas after a ski trip in Kazakhstan. He wrote in his memoir ‘Spare’ that he realized they were not a match. He adds that there was affection and deep and abiding loyalty. The moment when Prince Harry decided to end his relationship with his girlfriend Cressida Bonas is … Read more

Kazakhstan no longer allows Russians to stay indefinitely

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Kazakhstan
  • Kazakhstan would no longer permit Russian nationals to enter.
  • The measure was suggested by the Interior Ministry.
  • Russian emigrated to Kazakhstan last year.

A government decree released this week states that Kazakhstan would no longer permit Russian nationals to enter the Central Asian nation indefinitely by performing so-called visa runs every three months.

From January 26, the Astana government will forbid the practice, requiring Russians and citizens of other post-Soviet bloc nations to depart the country for at least 90 days following the allowed three-month stay.

The measure was suggested by the Interior Ministry, which said it would provide the government with more control over immigration.

Tens of thousands of Russians, largely young and middle-aged males, emigrated to Kazakhstan last year when Moscow began its first conscription drive since World War Two due to its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.

Given that Kazakhstan and Russia have the world’s longest continuous land border and that Russian is a widely spoken language there, Russians avoiding the draught frequently choose Kazakhstan.

The ability to stay in the country de facto indefinitely – by leaving it and reentering every 90 days – has been another important factor.

However, the nation has had a difficult time adjusting to the inflow of Russians. Authorities in Kazakhstan claim that the exceptionally huge inflows were a factor in the country’s record-high inflation rate of more than 20% last year.

The conflict in Ukraine has also strained relations between Moscow and Astana since the latter has sided with peace advocates rather than its former Soviet master.

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United Cup: Hurkacz pulls double duty helping Poland defeat Kazakhstan

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United Cup: Hurkacz pulls double duty helping Poland defeat Kazakhstan

Hubert beats Alexander to give Poland a 2-1 lead in United Cup. Magda Linette secures winning point for Poland with 6-2, 6-1. Poland will next face Switzerland to decide the winner of Group B. At the United Cup, Hubert Hurkacz triumphed over Alexander Bublik 7-6(8), 4-6, 6-3 to give Poland a 2-1 lead over Kazakhstan … Read more

United Cup: Switzerland leads Kazakhstan after Bencic’s comeback

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United Cup: Switzerland leads Kazakhstan after Bencic's comeback

Marc extends Switzerland’s lead to 2-0 against Kazakhstan in Group B. Putintseva had an early break advantage in both games. Wawrinka faces another playing captain, Alexander Bublik, in men’s singles. On Day 1 of the United Cup, Belinda Bencic began her campaign with a difficult 7-6(0), 6-3 victory against No. 51 Yulia Putintseva, and on … Read more

CICA Summit begins: PM to highlight Pakistan’s perspective

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ASTANA Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined world leaders on Thursday as the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) began in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana. He was warmly welcomed by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his arrival at the Palace of Independence – the venue of CICA summit. The … Read more

PM to attend 6th CICA Summit in Kazakhstan

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CICA Summit

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Kazakhstan on Wednesday to attend the 6th CICA Summit (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) being held in Astana from October 12-13. The prime minister is expected to have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan on the sidelines … Read more

More than 200,000 Russians have reached Kazakhstan, since Putin’s military escalation

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Russians reached Kazakhstan

More than 147,000 Russians have already departed from Kazakhstan since September 21. More than 7,000 people arrived and 11,000 left after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order for partial mobilization of the Russian military. 68 Russians have applied for citizenship in Kazakhstan. More than 200,000 Russian residents have arrived in Kazakhstan since Russian President Vladimir Putin … Read more

Viral Video: Kazakhstan woman plays music sitting in pink lake

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kazakhstan woman

A video of a woman playing the Kazakh string instrument dombra in front of a pink-coloured lake has gone viral. The video was posted on Twitter by Norwegian diplomat Erik Solheim. The video has been viewed over 2 million times so far. A now-viral video of a woman playing a musical instrument in a lovely … Read more

Kazakhistan President Tokayev hits out over sugar crisis

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tokayev

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has criticised his government’s handling of a sugar crisis. Sugar shortages and price surges contributed to the chaos in supermarkets. In Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, sugar prices have nearly doubled this year. NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan: The president of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev criticised his government’s handling of a sugar crisis on Thursday, as … Read more

Rybakina: Wimbledon title down to Kazakh support

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Rybakina

Recently delegated Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Said on Tuesday that her success at the All England Club. Conceivable without the help of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Rybakina, who changed faithfulness to Kazakhstan in 2018 to get more monetary help, turned into the nation’s most memorable significant. Singles champion at the end of the week when … Read more

Clinical Rybakina defeats Halep with ease to get to the Wimbledon final

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Rybakina

Elena Rybakina crushes former champion Simona Halep to reach the Wimbledon final. Russian-born Kazakh pummels Romanian with rasping serves and savage forehands. She will play Tunisian Ons Jabeur for her maiden Grand Slam title on Saturday. The Kazakh was banned from playing at Wimbledon after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There was minimal in Elena Rybakina’s … Read more

Uzbekistan U-turn on constitution after rare protest

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Uzbekistan
  • President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Karakalpakstan after rare protests over constitutional reform proposals.
  • Proposals would have removed autonomous republic’s right to self-determination and brought it further under central control.
  • Uzbekistan’s neighbour Kazakhstan has barred the passage of “people, vehicles and goods” through its border with Uzbekistan.

The president of Uzbekistan arrived in a protest-rocked autonomous republic on Saturday and promised that proposed constitutional amendments that would have weakened the territory’s status would be scrapped.

Authorities earlier said on Saturday that they had arrested “mass riot organisers” who wanted to seize administrative buildings in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which saw rare protests over constitutional reform proposals.

A Friday demonstration brought thousands onto the streets of the regional capital and followed the publication of draft amendments to the Uzbek constitution that would have removed the republic’s right to self-determination and brought it further under central control.

The tightly controlled government has made no mention of casualties, although Telegram accounts have circulated footage that suggests fatalities occurred during the police crackdown.

Internet access has been restricted in the territory during the last week and at least one private media outlet deleted an article about the changes to Karakalpakstan’s status shortly after publishing it.

Spontaneous demonstrations are illegal in the authoritarian ex-Soviet republic and police said Friday that “order had been restored” in the area taken over by the protest.

Nevertheless, the demonstration marked arguably the biggest challenge yet to the rule of authoritarian President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Uzbek leader styles himself as a reformer but has seen the economic opening of his reign undermined by successive global crises — the coronavirus pandemic and key trade partner Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mirziyoyev’s press service on Saturday said he had held a meeting with lawmakers of Karakalpakstan’s parliament and that the articles of the constitution concerning the region would remain unchanged “on the basis of… the opinions stated by residents of Karakalpakstan”.

The proposed changes that had angered residents included one that removed the republic’s constitutional right to secede from Uzbekistan via referendum.

The article dates back to 1993 after the republic’s leadership made a push for greater separation from Uzbekistan on the eve of the fall of the Soviet Union.

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Protest in Uzbekistan region over constitution reform

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Uzbekistan

Reforms would extend presidential terms from five to seven years. Benefit authoritarian leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev. protesters took to the streets in an autonomous republic. Police in Uzbekistan said protesters took to the streets in an autonomous republic Friday due to a “misinterpretation” of constitutional reforms expected to go to referendum in the near future. Spontaneous … Read more

Kazakhstan holds referendum to move past Nazarbayev era

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Kazakhstan

Coup in January left more than 230 dead, prompted troops to be deployed to country. New constitution does away with special privileges for 81-year-old former president. Kazakhstan held a referendum on the constitution on Sunday. Kazakhstan held a referendum on the constitution on Sunday, after deadly protests in January toppled founding leader Nursultan Nazarbayev’s three-decade … Read more

Kyrgyzstan follows Kazakhstan with six-month sugar export ban

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Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has joined Central Asian neighbor Kazakhstan in barring sugar exports for six months, citing food security and price concerns, according to the administration. Both former Soviet countries saw sharp spikes in the cost of sugar in the weeks following the start of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine after Moscow banned exports amid domestic panic-buying. … Read more

Kazakhstan postpones Victory Day, costing Putin allies 

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Kazakhstan

According to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense, the stated reason for the cancellation was financial savings and “other issues.” Given the celebration’s significance to Russia and post-Soviet unity, many believe it sends a strong message to Moscow. “Russia has lost support in its own backyard,” Taras Kuzio, a political science professor, remarked on Twitter. “For … Read more

Dozens march in Belgrade, Sofia to mark 1945 Soviet victory

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Belgrade

Two hundred people marched in Serbia’s capital on Monday in an event organised by the Russian embassy in Belgrade to commemorate the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Serbia, which aspires to join the European Union, is a traditional Russian ally and has refused to sanction Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine. … Read more

Dozens march in Belgrade to mark 1945 Soviet victory

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Belgrade

The Russian embassy in Belgrade organised a march through the Serbian capital on Monday to commemorate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Serbia, which wants to join the European Union, is a long-time Russian friend who refuses to censure Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. People taking part in the so-called … Read more

Pope Francis cancels events

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pope francis

Due to persistent knee discomfort, Pope Francis was compelled to empty his diary for the second time in less than a week on Tuesday, according to the Vatican. “Due to knee pain, and following medical advice, Pope Francis has suspended today’s activities,“ according to the press office, which included his participation in a meeting of … Read more

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