Afghanistan Follows India, Moves to Restrict River Water Supply to Pakistan

Afghanistan has announced plans to construct dams and limit river water flowing into Pakistan, the country's Information Ministry confirmed. The directive to expedite dam construction on the River Kunar was reportedly issued by Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. The declaration of Afghanistan's "right to water" comes only weeks after a violent border conflict with Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives.

Following India's Lead in Water Policy

Afghanistan's latest decision mirrors India's recent stance on water sharing with Pakistan. India had earlier put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold after Pakistan-backed militants carried out an attack in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 civilians. Under this treaty, India was obligated to share water from three western rivers with Pakistan.

According to the Afghan Ministry of Water and Energy, the country's leader instructed the ministry to begin dam construction on the Kunar River immediately and finalize contracts with domestic firms. The announcement was made by Muhajer Farahi, Deputy Minister of Information, in a post on X.

London-based journalist Sami Yousafzai commented, "After India, it may now be Afghanistan's turn to restrict Pakistan's water supply..." He further stated that the Supreme Leader "ordered the [water and energy] ministry to sign contracts with domestic Afghan companies rather than wait for foreign firms."

Kunar River: A Lifeline at the Heart of the Dispute

The 480-kilometre-long Kunar River originates in the Hindu Kush mountains near the Broghil Pass close to Pakistan. Flowing through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, it eventually enters Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where it merges with the Kabul River near Jalalabad. In Pakistan, this river is known as the Chitral River.

The Kabul River, into which Kunar merges, forms the most significant transboundary water system between both nations. It feeds into the Indus River near Attock, serving as a crucial water source for irrigation and agriculture in Pakistan's northwestern provinces. Experts warn that any reduction in the Kunar's flow could disrupt the Indus basin and impact Punjab's water supply as well.

"The Kabul and Kunar River, which flows into Pakistan, have long been a source of water in Pakistan," noted Sami Yousafzai in a post on X.

Rising Border Tensions and Absence of Water Treaty

This water-related development follows weeks of intense clashes along the Durand Line, the de facto border separating Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Afghan government continues to dispute the legitimacy of this border, which was drawn during British colonial rule, dividing the Pashtun population.

Since taking control in 2021, Afghanistan has increasingly emphasized water sovereignty, accelerating dam and hydropower projects to reduce dependence on neighbouring countries. Notably, no formal water-sharing agreement exists between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has previously warned that unilateral water control measures by Afghanistan could escalate into a regional water crisis, given Pakistan's existing energy and food security woes.

Strengthening Ties with India Through Water Cooperation

The decision came just a week after Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India and held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

"Appreciating India's assistance in the construction and maintenance of the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat, both sides also underscored the importance of sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydroelectric projects with a view to addressing Afghanistan's energy needs and supporting its agricultural development," a joint statement from both nations said.

India and Afghanistan have long collaborated on hydropower and irrigation projects, strengthening their infrastructure partnership. The Salma Dam, also known as the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, was completed in 2016 with Indian funding of around $300 million. The dam generates 42 MW of electricity and irrigates 75,000 hectares of farmland, significantly reducing Afghanistan's reliance on imported power.

Building on this cooperation, the Shahtoot Dam project, agreed upon in 2021 under a $250 million Indian commitment, will store 147 million cubic meters of water. Once completed, it is expected to provide clean drinking water to over two million Kabul residents and irrigate 4,000 hectares of farmland.