“Not Going to Resign”: Transport Minister Karabayev Vows to Earn Trust After Presidential Reprimand

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, has stated that he has no intention of resigning after receiving a presidential reprimand over serious issues at the country’s border checkpoints, Orda.kz reports.

Speaking to journalists, Karabayev said he could not comment on the president’s decision but emphasized his commitment to addressing the problems raised.

A political civil servant has no right to evaluate the decisions of the Head of State. As for our Ministry, we will work together to fulfill the president’s instructions in a timely and high-quality manner. As the head of this agency, I will do everything in my power to justify the trust placed in me, he said.  

Journalists reminded the minister of persistent problems at border crossings and the broader challenges facing the transport sector.

In response, Karabayev acknowledged that rising trade volumes have created pressure on infrastructure and border services.

The volume of transport is increasing significantly. In the first quarter alone, export and import volumes with China rose by 83%, reaching 822,000 tons. This, naturally, places a greater burden on customs and border services. That’s why we’re working closely with our colleagues to meet this growing demand.

Karabayev has held his position for several years, prompting journalists to ask why, during that time, Kazakhstanis have not seen substantial improvements in the aviation or railway sectors.

The Minister, however, disagreed with that statement.

I would disagree with that, since I can dwell on each area separately. If you look at the first four months of this year, the transport sector grew by 22%, compared to 8.5% last year,he said.  

According to Karabayev, road transit volume has doubled over the past two years, while transit with China has tripled, reaching 3.6 million tons.

He also pointed to the completion of major infrastructure projects, including the Astana–Almaty, Taldykorgan–Oskemen, and Aqtau–Aqtobe–Kandyagash highways. As for civil aviation, he claimed that all key performance indicators are showing positive trends.

When asked directly whether he intended to step down, Karabayev was brief but resolute:

In my work, I will focus on... I will remain focused on fulfilling all the President's instructions in a high-quality and timely manner. 

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev recently expressed strong dissatisfaction with the performance of the country’s transport sector, particularly concerning delays and inefficiencies at border checkpoints.

His discontent led to an official reprimand for Minister Karabayev.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova