After the city of Jalal-Abad in Kyrgyzstan was renamed Manas, heated discussions began across the country. According to the publication 24.kg, the head of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, did not rule out the possibility that Manas could one day become the capital.
According to Tashiev, in 2026 Manas will receive the status of the third city of national significance after Bishkek and Osh. He emphasized that renaming Jalal-Abad to Manas was a strategically correct decision, as the region “has become one of the country’s promising development hubs.”
“Some say Manas could become the capital. If we deserve it, why not? But it’s not an easy task — the city, the population, and even the mindset must be prepared. Becoming a capital means great responsibility, requiring modern infrastructure and large investments,” he said.
Tashiev also noted that major construction and infrastructure projects are being implemented in the city. “Manas should become one of Kyrgyzstan’s most modern and developed cities,” he added.
On September 17, President Sadyr Japarov signed a law officially renaming the city of Jalal-Abad to Manas. The law had been passed by the Jogorku Kenesh on September 10. The official explanation stated that the goal was to strengthen national ideology and honor the name of the national hero, Manas.
Jalal-Abad region borders three provinces of Uzbekistan and covers an area of 64.6 square kilometers. The city has a population of over 186,000 people, with a significant number of ethnic Uzbeks.
This news sparked great interest among the Kyrgyz public — some view it as a symbol of national pride, while others approach the idea of relocating the capital with caution.
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