Kabul: The Taliban government in Afghanistan has announced plans to divert water from the Kunar River, escalating tensions with neighbouring Pakistan amid a simmering border dispute.
The decision, revealed on Friday, aims to bolster irrigation and hydropower projects in eastern Afghanistan, but it threatens to choke vital water supplies downstream in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The Kunar River, a key tributary of the Kabul River, is critical for agriculture and livelihoods in both nations. Taliban officials claim the diversion aligns with Afghanistan’s sovereign right to utilise its resources, citing years of underdevelopment due to conflict. However, Pakistan has condemned the move as “provocative”, warning of severe impacts on its farmers and escalating diplomatic friction.
Recent skirmishes along the Durand Line have further strained ties, with both sides trading accusations of cross-border violations.
Analysts fear the water dispute could deepen the rift, with Pakistan relying heavily on the river for irrigation in its arid northwest. Social media posts on X reflect growing anxiety, with Pakistani users urging international mediation, while Afghan voices defend the Taliban’s focus on national development.
The absence of a bilateral water-sharing treaty complicates matters, leaving room for further escalation.
As Afghanistan pushes ahead with dam construction plans, the region braces for potential fallout. The Taliban’s move signals a bold assertion of control, but it risks inflaming an already volatile relationship with Islamabad, with ripple effects for South Asian geopolitics.