Afghanistan tightens the tap - Taliban’s Kunar River dams spark new water dispute with Pakistan

After India’s recent suspension of parts of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan now faces another major challenge, this time from Afghanistan. The Taliban regime has announced plans to construct multiple dams on the Kunar River, a move that could significantly reduce water flow into Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada has directed the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin immediate construction of the dam using domestic firms. The Kunar River, which merges into the Kabul and Indus Rivers, is a crucial water source for Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, providing essential irrigation and supporting millions of livelihoods.

The decision follows deadly clashes along the Durand Line, the 2,640 km (1,600-mile) international border between the two countries. Violence erupted on October 11, after Islamabad reportedly carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika province, targeting armed groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The clashes involved tanks, heavy weapons, and IEDs, causing multiple casualties on both sides and heightening cross-border tensions.

Afghanistan’s move also builds on earlier India-Afghanistan cooperation in the hydropower sector, notably the Salma Dam in Herat, which was developed with Indian assistance. Analysts suggest that Kabul’s latest project could indicate closer alignment with India on regional resource and infrastructure strategies - potentially deepening Pakistan’s strategic concerns.

In response, Pakistan has strongly condemned the dam plans, warning that any attempt to block or divert shared water resources would be viewed as a “hostile act”. Officials and analysts in Islamabad have highlighted the absence of a formal water-sharing treaty with Afghanistan, warning that such unilateral projects could harm Pakistan’s agriculture and aquifers.

At the same time, Pakistan appears to be pursuing a dual approach, combining pressure with diplomatic engagement. Islamabad has announced it will upgrade diplomatic representation in Afghanistan, appointing a full ambassador in Kabul to help ease rising tensions and maintain dialogue. This move, seen as an attempt to stabilize relations, comes even as both sides recently pledged to respect a fragile ceasefire following more than a week of deadly border clashes.

Earlier this year, India suspended certain provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark 1960 agreement mediated by the World Bank, governing the sharing of the Indus River and its six tributaries. India’s decision came after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians and was reportedly backed by Pakistan.

With both India and Afghanistan now taking steps that could restrict vital river flows, Pakistan faces a twin water challenge, managing growing diplomatic isolation and defending its critical water security amid deepening regional fault lines.