Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, is set to construct dams on the Kunar River, a move that could significantly impact Pakistan’s water resources. This development follows India’s similar actions concerning water management. Taliban Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada has directed an urgent commencement of dam construction on the Kunar, emphasizing the use of domestic companies over foreign ones. The Afghan Information Ministry announced these directives on X, stating the leader’s wish to expedite the project. This decision comes shortly after a ceasefire was established between Afghanistan and Pakistan, aimed at de-escalating recent border hostilities. Earlier in May, General Mubin of the Taliban army visited the Kunar region, inspecting potential dam sites and stressing the vital importance of water resources, likening them to ‘blood’ that should not be allowed to flow out of the country. This strategic water move by Afghanistan signals a potential shift in regional water politics, echoing concerns raised by analysts and activists about water scarcity in Pakistan.
