The Taliban government is preparing to divert the water of Kunar River towards Nangarhar in Afghanistan, which may increase the water crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan. If there is no water agreement between the two countries, Pakistan’s irrigation, drinking water and power projects may come to a halt.
Pakistan-Taliban Conflicts: Enmity with Afghanistan-Taliban is going to cost Pakistan very heavily. In fact, the condition of Pakistan, which is already struggling with water crisis, is going to worsen because the Taliban government in Afghanistan has decided to move ahead with its plans to divert water from Kunar River towards Nangarhar area of the country. Due to this step of Taliban government, the flow of water downstream in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan can be greatly reduced. Let us tell you that after India canceled the Indus Water Treaty, this step of Taliban is going to increase the problems of Pakistan.
There will be maximum water shortage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to a report in Afghanistan Times, at a meeting of the technical committee of the Economic Commission of the Prime Minister’s Office, the proposal to transfer water from Kunar River to Darunta Dam in Nangarhar was approved after discussion. Also it was sent to the Economic Commission for the final decision. Once implemented, this project will solve the water shortage for cultivable land in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, while it is likely to reduce the water flow in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
What impact will this step have on Pakistan?
The Kunar River, which flows for about 500 km, originates in the Hindukush mountains in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It then flows southwards into Afghanistan, passing through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Ultimately it joins the Kabul River. After meeting the waters of the third river Pech, these rivers again turn eastwards in Pakistan and join the Indus River near the city of Attock in Punjab province.
If dam is built on Kunar river, Pakistan will crave every drop of water
If Afghanistan builds a dam on the Kunar River before the river enters Pakistan, it may cause problems to Pakistan in getting water for irrigation, drinking water supply and hydropower projects. Islamabad also has no agreement with Kabul on water sharing, which means there is no way to force the Taliban to retreat. This has given rise to fear of resurgence of Pak-Afghan violence.