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France 24
7 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Migrant money from Russia a lifeline for Central Asia
The project in Batken is a snapshot of how important emigrant labour has become for economies across Central Asia. The flow of remittances to the region came in at record amounts last year, according to World Bank data. An all-time high of $3 billion flowed into Kyrgyzstan from migrant workers living abroad, accounting for around 25 percent of the country's gross domestic product. In neighbouring Tajikistan, the $6 billion made-up almost half its GDP -- the highest level in the world. Uzbekistan, the region's most populous nation, received $14.8 billion -- 14 percent of GDP. "When I worked in Moscow, I donated 300 som ($3) a month," said Akhmatov, who is supervising the construction of the building in his home village. He said some 1,500 migrants recently contributed to build a new school in Batken, where the average salary is around $235. A new sports centre is a particular source of pride for teacher Abazbek Abdinabiyev. "Children would play in the dust ... now we have this, and a pitch," he told AFP, showing off the bright blue and yellow indoor sports court. "The contribution made by migrants has been enormous. Despite being far away, they have all helped to ensure that their children and brothers could have this opportunity," Abdinabiyev told AFP. 'Duty of every citizen' Local currencies have slipped against the Russian ruble in recent months, pushing up the spending power of what migrant workers send back. The Kyrgyz government estimates that without remittances, the country's poverty rate would shoot up from 29 percent to 41 percent. Unable to fund such projects alone, governments encourage the contributions. "Beautifying the country is the duty of every citizen," reads a government banner stretched over the road in Mehrobod, northern Tajikistan. "Each district is trying to solve its own problems: getting our children into school, keeping the streets clean and well-maintained," said villager Abdukakhor Majidov. Around him, crews on rollers and with shovels were levelling the ground ahead of tarmacking. A new school and bridge were already completed last year. "As soon as one street is repaired, we move on to the next," said Majidov, who handles fundraising. 'Less emigration' But leaving for Russia has lost some of its appeal since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. While Russia's arms factories are booming and job opportunities are plenty, many fear being sent to fight in Ukraine. Around 20,000 Central Asian migrants who received Russian citizenship are already serving in the army, Moscow said last month. The recruitment triggered a backlash among Russia's traditional allies in the region. Without specifying what he was referring to, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon has expressed concern about the "hundreds of repatriated coffins" coming back from Russia, filled with those who had left "to earn bread for their families." There has also been a surge in anti-migrant sentiment in Russia following the arrest of four Tajiks as the suspected perpetrators of the 2024 massacre at a music venue outside Moscow, Russia's deadliest terror attack in two decades. Alongside a spike in violence and street harassment, Moscow passed laws making it easier to expel migrants. Kadyrbek Tashimbekov, 29, is among the 300,000 Kyrgyz who have left Russia -- willingly or by force -- between 2023 and 2024, according to Bishkek's statistics. The exodus accounts for more than half of all Kyrgyz migrants who were living in Russia. "I was expelled after working there for eight years," he told AFP. Now he operates the crane picking up the beams for the frame of Batken's new school. Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has pledged to encourage labour migrants back to the country. Meanwhile locals hope to use their funds to boost living standards at home and break the cycle of emigration. The three former migrants that AFP spoke to -- Abdinabiyev, Akhmatov and Tashimbekov -- all said salaries were growing at home and do not plan to return to Russia. "We are building this with the hope that if we have such centres, we will train them in the right professions, guide them," said Akhmatov. "And maybe there will be less emigration."
Business Recorder
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Ball of Confusion'
'Ball of Confusion' is a 1970 hit song by a US band called The Temptations, and is an example of the 'psychedelic soul' style and is also noteworthy for its overtly political themes. This article will endeavor to compare the lyrics with what is happening in Pakistan. It is not a protest but a tilt towards the compulsion of highlighting the ground realities. The first lyric states, People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the color of their skin. In Pakistan, there has been a marked increase in the exodus of young talent leaving for better prospects, better quality of life, safety and security, and income commensurate with their experience and academic qualifications. Pakistan is also plagued with illegal migrants under the garb of refugees, entering from, at times, the porous borders. Afghans came in multitudes after the Taliban took over the country once again from NATO forces and the then Kabul government in 2021. The menace of Afghan refugees is not for the first time. Pakistan was faced with a deluge of refugees even when the original Taliban established their 'Emirates' in 1996. Moreover, there has always been a continuing inflow of refugees from countries such as Bangladeshis, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Indians, Sri Lankans, Burmese, etc. Hence color of their skin can denote ethnicity, language, and traditions. The second lyric, states Vote for me and I'll set you free. Election fervour in Pakistan has candidates and their political parties promising the moon, and despite failed promises of the past, the voters, like drones in a beehive, faithfully and consistently brave the elements of nature to flock to the grounds to listen and cheer their leaders and vote for them. They are insensitive when told by those opposing their party that their vote went to naught because most of the promises just vanished in the air. Political parties present their manifestos, ostensibly written by expert scriptwriters, and pledge that they would conscientiously adhere to the contents of their manifesto and, once elected, there will be deliverance for the masses. Election win, government sworn in, promises renewed, and then the manifesto is relegated to the proverbial dustbin. Citizens are left to the mercy of these parties and despite biting the bullet, they still remain captive of the party. The next line states, Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher/And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher. The pulpit symbolizes the authority and centrality of the religious authority or the Imam of the Masjid. Traditionally, those who sat and orated from the pulpit enlightened the congregation with verses from the Holy Book and the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions on various subjects including human values, tolerance, public welfare, and charity for noble causes, etc. Today, many preachers and leaders of religio-political parties have made a paradigm shift to an alarming and prejudiced agenda. Many of the government schools have teachers who are unfortunately non-qualified and even schools are a mess. What knowledge would they impart to students? Moreover, 23 million children are out of school for different reasons, primarily because their parents cannot afford the fees, because parents make them work instead of studying, and because there are no schools close proximity to their abodes. The next line highlights Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation. In areas where there is a patriarchal ecosystem, the women are deprived of their rights, including vote franchise, taboos on them working outside their homes, and even from participating at events. There are a widespread bunch of people, individually or in groups, who are determined to create horrible issues that negatively impact on the national security and territorial integrity of the motherland. Creating mischief requires funds, and external and internal disruptors are always there to provide finances and logistical support to achieve their nefarious objectives. Demonstrations are routine all over the country. Roadblocks, sit-ins, marches, and protests, for whatever reasons have made lives miserable for the citizens who may or may not support these demonstrations. Saner elements in the country harp in the notion that there should be national integration of ideas, opinions, and goals. Notwithstanding the kinetic nationalist pride displayed during and after the recent clash with the belligerent neighboring country, there is a growing vacuum in consolidating the people under one umbrella. Pugnacious insolence is more prevalent in many aspects due to the resigned capitulation of many who feel deprived and hence prefer to vent their feelings through various modes of aggravation. Although they may have conceded the fact that they would not gain much, these types of provocation muddle lives everywhere. Humiliation is now a rarity. Pseudo-masochism is the name of the game, whether in business, politics, media, or on the streets. The apology factor has faded away. I am right, you are wrong, is the catchword. The less acceptance of humiliation sensitivity, the better. It will not change. As patriots, it is incumbent upon citizens to understand and practice prescribed obligation to the country, whether in paying dues or protecting the land or fulfilling the duties as citizens. The motherland has provided a lot despite ordeals, challenges, sufferings, and difficulties. The hard times faced due to political instabilities, bad governance, denial of justice, pathetic physical infrastructure networks, less availability of means of incomes, dearth of social safety nets for the marginalized citizens, aggression from across the eastern and western fronts, etc, are, of course, overarching components that have put a rusted spanner in the progress, prosperity, as well as quality of life over nearly eight decades. For those who cannot accept all these, the message is love Pakistan or leave Pakistan. Then the next lines are The sale of pills are at an all-time high/Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky. A very disturbing issue that is eating away the future fabric of Pakistan. Youth are becoming junkies, and pragmatic steps are not being taken to effectively control this growing number. Methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE, has become the rapidly spreading drug in Pakistan, and has overtaken marijuana and heroin as the drug of choice. At a rehabilitation center in the northwestern city of Charsadda providing treatment for drug addicts, around 85 percent of patients, mostly young people, are ICE addicts. Then there is Ecstasy. The panic among parents is that teenagers, and even pre-teens would succumb to the marketing of drug pushers or elder colleagues and siblings. Resorting to drugs is a form of rebellion, insubordination, and defiance. The pleasure is temporary, but the ramification is tragic. It is a national catastrophe that must be forcefully handled. Then is the line The cities ablaze in the summertime. The continuous and depressing outcome of Climate Change has affected Pakistan as one among the top five countries that are very vulnerable. The weather becomes hot and unbearable, disrupting mobility, equipment, infrastructure, and even fatalities. The hot weather timeframe increases year after year. The shortage of water availability in cities and towns further exacerbates the situation making daily life miserable. Industrial production slows down and even footprints in marketplaces trickle down too. Resultantly, shops and plazas stay open till late, and this increases the load on electric supply. Loadshedding is a daily menace. The vicious circle goes on and on. The final line worth commenting is Politicians say more taxes will solve everything. Wasteful governmental non-development expenditure, wasteful indulgence of resources on white elephant projects, and wasteful outlay on pomp, pageantry, self-promotion, and benefits to elite capture, compound into a situation where the government is in a straitjacket syndrome and thus resorts to expensive loans from domestic banks and external sources, including IMF. There is little recourse to defy the conditionalities of the lenders who are the modern-day Pied Pipers. The political government meekly obeys the dictates of the major lenders and has no choice but to tighten the noose of tax on the hapless citizens. Previously the mandarins of Ministry of Finance prepared the Federal Budget while today, the gnomes in the back room of IMF have assumed the mantle. The genuine and sincere taxpayers always face the double-edged sword and keep on getting slaughtered at the altar of tax collecting agencies, while non-taxpayers, such as agriculturists, retailers, or cottage industries, keep on enjoying their 'tax-free' status. As the song's final lines point out, And the band played on. So, round and around and around we go. Where the world's headed, nobody knows. Just a ball of confusion. The 'band' in the case of Pakistan refers to the nonchalant, arbitrary, and lackadaisical attitude of the people in the corridors of power. The citizens try to make their way going round and round to get their issues and matters resolved but then mostly it is back to square one. The 'world' for most of them is their own country. For them there is Fear in the air, tension everywhere. In the song, the repeated usage of the phrase 'and the band played on' signaled that no one was paying proper attention to most of the problems, burdens, and aspirations of the citizens. Who do they call? The song pleads to Great Googa Mooga, can't you hear me talking to you? But even this deity or idol or leader is not doing anything, and this is the Ball of Confusion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Kuwait Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Unfamiliar calm on Central Asia's disputed borders
VORUKH, Tajikistan: Bus driver Amrullo Yusupov has long faced challenges navigating the winding mountain passes of Central Asia — but a recent historic border agreement has brought calm to the troubled region. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed in March the last of a series of deals to formalize the long-disputed borders between the countries in the Fergana Valley, a region that has ignited several violent clashes. 'Everything is calm, now that the borders have been demarcated,' Yusupov told AFP. Navigating the maze of Tajik exclaves — pockets of territory embedded within Kyrgyzstan — had been a challenge. 'I used to be afraid to drive here at night. The road was a bit problematic,' Yusupov said. The Fergana Valley, which spans the three countries, has seen hundreds of deadly skirmishes, in disputes over access to roads and water, a precious resource in the arid agricultural region. Local disputes would quickly escalate as troops got involved to protect their citizens and the land on their side of the invisible border. In brief wars in 2021 and 2022, hundreds of Tajiks and Kyrgyz were killed and wounded, according to official estimates from both sides. The complicated geography is a legacy of the Soviet Union, with internal borders drawn up based on economic considerations, rather than ethnic, cultural or linguistic dividing lines. With its collapse, the lines became international frontiers, isolating tens of thousands of people in the exclaves. Barbed wire fences Even locals can sometimes be disoriented. 'On the left is Kyrgyzstan and on the right is Tajikistan, yes?' some passengers asked as Yusupov's bus pulled away from Vorukh, a Tajik exclave the size of Paris. Linking Vorukh to the rest of Tajikistan, his bus travels along a neutral road that passes through Kyrgyz territory but does not stop there. 'Over the past 30 years, we have had several conflicts with the Tajiks,' said Raykhan Isakova, who lives in the neighboring Kyrgyz village of Kapchygay. 'It was very violent, we suffered heavy losses. All the houses were destroyed,' the 60 year-old said of the fighting in 2022. 'But thanks to the authorities, we started again from scratch, houses were built,' she added. When AFP visited the village in 2022, it stood in ruins. Three years later, it is unrecognizable, completely rebuilt — unlike some other places. Although peace has returned, AFP journalists who were given rare access to both sides of the border, saw a heavy military presence. Fences stood where crossing the street used to mean entering a different country. Locals say erecting a physical border will help bring security. 'Once the barbed wire is up, the borders will be defined and everyone will be at home. People will know that Tajikistan starts here and Kyrgyzstan there,' said Shamshidin Kattabekov, 42, from the Kyrgyz border village of Aksai. Meanwhile, official checkpoints have reopened for the first time in four years. 'I am happy that the border has reopened so that I can come and see my family,' said Aitgul Khojamberdieva, a 58-year-old Tajik citizen. 'My mother and uncle died when the border was closed and we couldn't go' to the funeral, she told AFP. 'Eternal friendship' The reconciliation between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was achieved without mediation from Russia, a rare feat in the post-Soviet space that Moscow still considers its own backyard. The three presidents sealed the border deals with a pact of 'eternal friendship' earlier this year. Huge portraits of the smiling leaders are on display in Tajikistan and a giant friendship monument has also been erected where the three countries meet. 'Once the border work is finished, we believe that peace will reign,' said Ashyrali Erkebayev, head of a community of Kyrgyz border municipalities. So far, the agreements have led to territory swaps, sections of road declared neutral and guarantees to ensure unhindered access to energy infrastructure. But locals are still concerned about how an agreement to share water more equitably will work — a crucial challenge given how exposed the region is to climate change. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have agreed a deal for access to the Tortkul reservoir, the only source of fresh water in the area, located in Kyrgyzstan. 'Water for crops is a problem,' said Isakova, a farmer. 'There was a pipe before which went to Tajikistan,' she added. 'Everybody just made a hole and took water from there.' — Reuters
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Unfamiliar calm along Central Asia's long-disputed borders
AI- Generated Image VORUKH: Bus driver Amrullo Yusupov has long faced challenges navigating the winding mountain passes of Central Asia - but a recent historic border agreement has brought calm to the troubled region. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed in March the last of a series of deals to formalise the long-disputed borders between the countries in the Fergana Valley, a region that has ignited several violent clashes. "Everything is calm, now that the borders have been demarcated," Yusupov told AFP. Navigating the maze of Tajik exclaves -- pockets of territory embedded within Kyrgyzstan -- had been a challenge. "I used to be afraid to drive here at night. The road was a bit problematic," Yusupov said. The Fergana Valley, which spans the three countries, has seen hundreds of deadly skirmishes, in disputes over access to roads and water, a precious resource in the arid agricultural region. L by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo ocal disputes would quickly escalate as troops got involved to protect their citizens and the land on their side of the invisible border. In brief wars in 2021 and 2022, hundreds of Tajiks and Kyrgyz were killed and wounded, according to official estimates from both sides. The complicated geography is a legacy of the Soviet Union, with internal borders drawn up based on economic considerations, rather than ethnic, cultural or linguistic dividing lines. With its collapse, the lines became international frontiers, isolating tens of thousands of people in the exclaves. Barbed wire fences Even locals can sometimes be disoriented. "On the left is Kyrgyzstan and on the right is Tajikistan, yes?" some passengers asked as Yusupov's bus pulled away from Vorukh, a Tajik exclave the size of Paris. Linking Vorukh to the rest of Tajikistan, his bus travels along a neutral road that passes through Kyrgyz territory but does not stop there. "Over the past 30 years, we have had several conflicts with the Tajiks," said Raykhan Isakova, who lives in the neighbouring Kyrgyz village of Kapchygay. "It was very violent, we suffered heavy losses. All the houses were destroyed," the 60 year-old said of the fighting in 2022. "But thanks to the authorities, we started again from scratch, houses were built," she added. When AFP visited the village in 2022, it stood in ruins. Three years later, it is unrecognisable, completely rebuilt -- unlike some other places. Although peace has returned, AFP journalists who were given rare access to both sides of the border, saw a heavy military presence. Fences stood where crossing the street used to mean entering a different country. Locals say erecting a physical border will help bring security. "Once the barbed wire is up, the borders will be defined and everyone will be at home. People will know that Tajikistan starts here and Kyrgyzstan there," said Shamshidin Kattabekov, 42, from the Kyrgyz border village of Aksai. Meanwhile, official checkpoints have reopened for the first time in four years. "I am happy that the border has reopened so that I can come and see my family," said Aitgul Khojamberdieva, a 58-year-old Tajik citizen. "My mother and uncle died when the border was closed and we couldn't go" to the funeral, she told AFP. 'Eternal friendship' The reconciliation between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was achieved without mediation from Russia, a rare feat in the post-Soviet space that Moscow still considers its own backyard. The three presidents sealed the border deals with a pact of "eternal friendship" earlier this year. Huge portraits of the smiling leaders are on display in Tajikistan and a giant friendship monument has also been erected where the three countries meet. "Once the border work is finished, we believe that peace will reign," said Ashyrali Erkebayev, head of a community of Kyrgyz border municipalities. So far, the agreements have led to territory swaps, sections of road declared neutral and guarantees to ensure unhindered access to energy infrastructure. But locals are still concerned about how an agreement to share water more equitably will work -- a crucial challenge given how exposed the region is to climate change. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have agreed a deal for access to the Tortkul reservoir, the only source of fresh water in the area, located in Kyrgyzstan. "Water for crops is a problem," said Isakova, a farmer. "There was a pipe before which went to Tajikistan," she added. "Everybody just made a hole and took water from there."
Arab Times
29-03-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait, Tajikistan expand cooperation with new embassies and direct flights
KUWAIT CITY, March 29: Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Tajikistan Dr. Zubaydullah Zubaydov has confirmed the opening of a Kuwaiti Embassy in the capital -- Dushanbe, as well as the appointment of a Kuwaiti ambassador there; indicating the opening is expected to take place within the next few months. At a press conference held recently to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Kuwaiti-Tajik relations, Zubaydov announced the allocation of land for the construction of the Tajik Embassy in the diplomatic zone in Mishref. He said construction will begin soon, without specifying a date. He also revealed that his country abolished entry visas for Kuwaitis; adding that during his meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Al- Yahya, they discussed facilitating the entry of Tajiks to Kuwait with the Kuwaiti side. He said the minister promised to consider this matter as soon as possible and to allow Tajiks to obtain electronic visas. He expressed his satisfaction over the achievements made so far; stressing 'our political relations are distinguished. We have signed approximately 30 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with Kuwait. We also have a program to develop economic relations between the two countries.' He confirmed the contributions of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to the development process in Tajikistan, where the fund has financed six vital projects. He added 'Kuwait will host the Foreign Affairs Conference of the Gulf and Central Asian States in the middle of next month. The Tajik foreign affairs minister will attend the conference. A leaders' summit will be held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand in May and there is cooperation between the two countries in the field of combating terrorism; specifically the conference held in Kuwait on this issue, co-chaired by the United Nations, Kuwait and Tajikistan.' Regarding the supply of Tajik water to the Gulf region, he stated that 'Tajikistan was one of the countries under the former Soviet Union. It has approximately 60 percent of the water reserves in Central Asia, so it can supply the Gulf countries with fresh water through Iran.' He affirmed his belief in the possibility of implementing the project in the near future, as well as the possibility of cooperation in the field of electricity generation. He pointed out that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon chose Kuwait as the first Arab country he officially visited, reflecting Tajikistan's commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and learn from the experience of Kuwait as a developed country. He said 'the tourism sector is another area for strengthening cooperation between the two friendly countries. This progress has facilitated the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of Tajikistan and Kuwait through Kuwait Airways.' 'Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Kuwait, the foreign affairs ministries of the two countries have actively sought to implement the directives of their leaderships; thereby, strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual concern. Bilateral political consultations, several sessions of which have been held in the capitals of the two friendly countries, are considered the main mechanism for coordinating and overseeing these efforts,' he explained.
