Kazakhstan's Prime Minister on the unified time zone: The decision was made based on "extensive scientific research conducted abroad."

The official believes that progressive countries around the world are now "striving to transition to a natural time zone."

"For Kazakhstan, the natural time zone is the one we currently live in, UTC+5. Previously, as you know, we were in another one – UTC+6. At one time, the country was mandated to switch to a time zone that is not natural for us. Now, on the contrary, we have aligned our time with solar cycles. I understand that transitioning to a single time zone may cause discomfort for some. The body gradually adapts. This decision has been made. If there are any inconveniences in the regions, we need to work on infrastructure, lighting, and organizing flexible schedules, which our labor legislation allows. We will address all these issues going forward,” said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, in a conversation with residents, stated that "it has been scientifically proven that natural time positively affects the health and well-being of citizens." As of today, there is no information on modern research providing answers to the question of what time is considered natural for residents of various regions of Kazakhstan. After the transition to a single time, the government announced plans to commission a study on the impact of a single time zone on health. Earlier, the Ministry of Health acknowledged that the issue of time transition "has led to widespread complaints from citizens about deteriorating mental and physical health, especially in certain regions."

The text also mentions that the issue of introducing a single time zone had previously been raised by residents of the Kostanay region, as the former time zone did not align with natural time. In this regard, meeting participants expressed support for a single time zone, as indicated in the release.

Kazakhstan transitioned to a single time zone (UTC+5) on March 1 of this year. The transition has faced significant criticism in the regions, primarily in the east, southeast, and the capital. The Kostanay region, where residents support the current time zone, is located west of the regions whose residents disagree with the new time.

In Almaty and the eastern part of the country, residents complain that after 4 PM in late autumn, it is already dark outside, while in summer it starts to get light at 3-4 AM. Users on Kaznet report that the time change negatively affects their well-being, and people are not getting enough sleep. Parents of schoolchildren in the second shift say that children return home in the dark, and street lighting is not available everywhere, even in major cities.

Kazakhstanis launched a petition in the spring, which quickly gathered the necessary 50,000 signatures for government consideration. However, the Cabinet rejected the petitioners' demand to abolish the time change.

In November, the government of Kazakhstan announced that it supports the transition to a single time zone and does not plan to revert to the previous one.