Mukhtar Shakhanov (born 2 July 1942 in Otrar, Kazakhstan) is a prominent Kazakh writer, lawmaker, and the Kazakh ambassador to Kyrgyzstan. He is also a Member the lower house of parliament of Kazakhstan, as well as Editor-in-Chief of the Zhalyn magazine.
Well known in Kazakhstan for his articles, which raised public awareness of the need for the protection of the Aral Sea has earned him worldwide recognition and leading the commission on Jeltoqsan tragedy.
