Afghanistan to Block Pakistan's Water Supply: Afghanistan has spoken a plan to build a new dam on the Kunar River, which can prove to be a big wrack-up to Pakistan. This step of the Taliban government can remoter increase the problems of Pakistan without India suspended the Indus Water on Sandhya. Blocking water from the Kunar River could stupefy irrigation and power generation in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where there is once a water shortage.
Taliban announcement: uncontrived 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 senior Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada to start construction of dams on the Kunar River without delay.
- Ministry statement: "The respected Amir al-Mu'minin has tabbed 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 utterance came in May 2025, when the Taliban visited the Kunar region and tabbed for funding.
Breaking News:
After India, it may now be Afghanistan’s turn to restrict Pakistan’s water supply.
Taliban Deputy Minister for Information, Mujahid Farahi, spoken that the Ministry of Water and Energy has received instructions from the Taliban’s supreme leader, Shaikh… https://t.co/Q7XutRtC1A
— Sami Yousafzai (@SamiYousafzaii) October 23, 2025Kunar 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 topics is 23,000 MW.
China's role: new rencontre for Pakistan
The Diplomat reported in August 2024: A Chinese visitor expressed interest in investing in three large dams on Kunar that could generate 2,000 MW of electricity. China is a tropical wive of Pakistan (through CPEC), so its participation may make Pakistan uncomfortable in protesting. Pakistani officials tabbed the Taliban's utterance of a dam a "hostile move" in January 2024.
Possible loss to Pakistan
- Water shortage: Withholding of water from dams could reduce the spritz of the Kabul River by up to 17%, which would stupefy Pakistan's threshing (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 versus 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 transpiration is making water politics increasingly complex. Experts say both countries can goody 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 withal with economic self-reliance.
