Afghanistan urges stability in Kazakhstan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Government has expressed deep concern over recent political turmoil and violent incidents in Kazakhstan and asked its government and protesters to show restraint and resolve issues through talks.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi on its twitter account wrote Afghan government was closely monitoring situation in Kazakistan and was deeply concern over recent political turmoil and incidents of violence in the neighbouring country and a trade-partner.

He added Afghan government urged Kazakhstan government and protesters to resolve issues through dialogue.

He said Afghanistan termed peace and political stability vital for economic prosperity and trade development for nations and its people.

Earlier, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sacked his cabinet and imposed states of emergency in the country’s largest city and an oil-rich western region following mass protests triggered by a rise in fuel prices, according to a media report on Thursday.

Tokayev said on Wednesday morning that he had accepted the resignation of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Askar Mamin, and ordered the acting cabinet to reinstate price controls on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

He also ordered the acting cabinet to broaden price controls to petrol, diesel and other “socially important” consumer goods.

The moves followed clashes in Almaty overnight between police and thousands of protesters who had called for the government’s resignation.

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