In Tajikistan, approximately 30 Interior Ministry employees were dismissed last year for being overweight. After losing weight, only 13 of them were allowed to return to their positions.
Hussein Khalilzoda, head of the Interior Ministry Personnel and Staff Affairs Department of the MVD, stated that in 2024, about 20,000 police officers underwent weight checks.
"Over 26 officers were dismissed for excessive weight but were given a grace period to reduce their body mass. If they meet the established requirements, they may be reinstated. Over the year, 13 officers returned to the force after achieving the necessary weight reduction," Khalilzoda explained.
One officer, Barzou Boboyev, who was dismissed due to being overweight, has since complained about not yet being reinstated.
Boboyev, a former employee of the Interior Ministry Main Fire Service, revealed that he had been asked to lose 6-10 kilograms after being called to the capital's Interior Ministry headquarters for a height and weight check. At the time of his dismissal, he weighed 125 kg, and now he weighs 105 kg.
Nusratullo Mahmadzoda, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, clarified that if Boboyev returns to a normal weight and meets the required standards, he will be reinstated. He also emphasized that, according to Interior Ministry regulations, male officers must be at least 168 cm tall, and female officers must be at least 160 cm tall. Their weight should be proportional to their height, and they should not have excess body fat.
The first instances of Interior Ministry officers being reinstated after losing weight occurred in late January 2017, following a directive from the Minister of Internal Affairs. Since then, several officers have returned to service after meeting the weight criteria.
