Mukhtar Shakhanov (, Mūhtar Şahanov) (born 2 July 1942) is a prominent Kazakh writer, lawmaker, and the Kazakh ambassador to Kyrgyzstan. He is also a Member of Parliament for Majilis, and editor-in-chief of the magazine Zhalyn. Shakhanov was born in Otrar. 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 led the commission on Jeltoqsan tragedy.