Afghanistan to Block Pakistan's Water Like India: Taliban Orders Kunar River Dams

Afghanistan to Block Pakistan's Water Supply: Afghanistan has announced a plan to build a new dam on the Kunar River, which can prove to be a big blow to Pakistan. This step of the Taliban government can further increase the problems of Pakistan after India suspended the Indus Water on Sandhya. Blocking water from the Kunar River could affect irrigation and power generation in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where there is already a water shortage.

Taliban announcement: direct order from the supreme leader

Taliban Deputy Minister of Information Mujahid Farahi said that the Ministry of Water and Energy has been instructed by Taliban chief Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada to start construction of dams on the Kunar River without delay.

• Ministry statement: "The respected Amir al-Mu'minin has called on domestic companies to enter into contracts and not wait for foreign companies."
• Energy Minister Mullah Abdul Latif Mansour: "Afghans have the full right to manage their own water."

The announcement came in May 2025, when the Taliban visited the Kunar region and called for funding.

Kunar River: Important for both the countries

• Route: Originates in the Hindu Kush mountains, starts in Chitral (known as Kunar) in Pakistan, flows through Afghanistan (about 300 miles), then joins the Kabul River and reaches Pakistan.
• For Pakistan: Source of irrigation, agriculture, and hydropower. Part of the Kabul Basin, which is an important part of the Indira Basin.
• For Afghanistan: power (potentially 2,000 MW) and water management needs in a drought-stricken country. Currently producing only 600 MW, while the capacity is 23,000 MW.

China's role: new challenge for Pakistan

The Diplomat reported in August 2024: A Chinese company expressed interest in investing in three large dams on Kunar that could generate 2,000 MW of electricity. China is a close ally of Pakistan (through CPEC), so its participation may make Pakistan uncomfortable in protesting. Pakistani officials called the Taliban's announcement of a dam a "hostile move" in January 2024.

Possible loss to Pakistan

• Water shortage: Withholding of water from dams could reduce the flow of the Kabul River by up to 17%, which would affect Pakistan's agriculture (especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and industry. When Pakistan's population reaches 40 million by 2030, water scarcity may increase to 44-46%.
• Other concerns: 12 proposed dams on the Kabul River, such as the Mulberry Dam (backed by India). There is no water-sharing treaty between the two countries.
• Pakistani Minister: "This will be a hostile act against Pakistan; tension will increase." Afghan expert: “The impact is exaggerated; it's a small dam for power, won't hold much water.

Background: Taliban-Pakistan tensions

• Relations sour in recent months: the Taliban retaliates on a Pakistan airstrike, and 58 Pakistani soldiers are killed. Qatar mediated.
• Other projects in Afghanistan: Pashdan Dam in Herat (45 million cubic meters of water, irrigating 13,000 hectares), Kosh Tepe Canal on the Amu Darya.
• India's role: Assistance for Salma Dam (Afghan-India Friendship Dam) and Shahtoot Dam. Pakistan calls it a "conspiracy."

Fear of regional crisis

There are 9 shared river basins between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but no treaty. Climate change is making water politics more complex. Experts say both countries can benefit from a "profit-sharing formula," but the current tension has increased the risk of conflict. This step of the Taliban seems to be a weapon of political pressure along with economic self-reliance.